Clueless about lighting-please help

[Flonkerton]

I've previously just done mostly outdoor stuff, but I'm trying to set up a small studio space. I had a friend come by the other day with her lighting setup, which was a Profoto Compact 300R monolight with a 5' Photoflex Octodome. I really like the results, but I'm looking to find a cheaper option.

There is a photographer in the area that I used to work for who is getting out of the business, so I'm going to look at his stuff tomorrow. He's already sold his Octodome, but he has a Bogen 200 w/s and 400 w/s left. He said that I should be able to recreate this look with a big umbrella. I just want to get other opinions before I go see him. Here is an image that we took the other night both straight out of the camera & with some photoshop actions applied. What do I need to recreate this look?

[Lightdances]

He's right all you really need is one light, and the beautiful model. ) the next option is a umbrella/softboxe or diffusser to soften the light. from there we can just keep spending money on fill lights, seperation/hair lights, kickers, more back grounds, radio slaves and so on.
best wishes the 200 or 400 will work if you get one only get the 400, I would buy both if the price is right! DD

[Flonkerton]

Yeah, I want to keep it really simple (aka: cheap). So do you think a big umbrella will give me the same look as the picture?

[Lightdances]

Yeap but a umbrella is a large light source, you might get to much light so it may need to have a gobo between umbrella and subject if you are trying to get less light on the body/more on the face, I use soft boxes for greater control, umbrellas for larger groups etc

[deluco]

If you can get a good deal on this lighting, grab it. It's an excellent start, especially at a good price. I use only two mono lights, and for background and hair I use camera strobes set to manual power. You may also want to invest in some radio slaves if you are going to be doing studio work.

[Flonkerton]

Originally Posted by Lightdances

Yeap but a umbrella is a large light source, you might get to much light so it may need to have a gobo between umbrella and subject if you are trying to get less light on the body/more on the face, I use soft boxes for greater control, umbrellas for larger groups etc

He's got a 4x6 softbox, so would it be a good idea to pick it up for individual portraits and use a big umbrella for groups? Thanks!

[deluco]

I would grab the softbox if the price is right. As far as lighting small versus large groups, 4x6 is relatively large and will create some very nice soft lighting for small groups. For large groups you can use both the softbox and umbrella's if you want. I have used two or three umbrella's side by side for one large light source in the absence of a large softbox. You're just starting out, so just use what you have. Umbrella's don't direct light real well, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use them for small groups.

[Lightdances]

As above 4x6 is large , it is a great tool for full lenght and groups, smaller softboxes give greater control I use 2x2.5 ft and 3x3.5 for greater lighting control but I would have a 4x6 as well if my studio were larger, best wishes DD

[Flonkerton]

I went today & picked up his Bogen 200 w/s light with a softbox. He gave me a cord to sync it with my camera. Only problem is, I didn't realize until I got home that my Nikon D50 doesn't have the output for the sync cord. What do I need to make this work? I'm probably eventually going to get a Pocket Wizard, but I'm looking to keep it cheap until I'm sure this is what I'll stick with.

[RocketRick]

Originally Posted by Flonkerton

I went today & picked up his Bogen 200 w/s light with a softbox. He gave me a cord to sync it with my camera. Only problem is, I didn't realize until I got home that my Nikon D50 doesn't have the output for the sync cord. What do I need to make this work? I'm probably eventually going to get a Pocket Wizard, but I'm looking to keep it cheap until I'm sure this is what I'll stick with.

You can find adapters that fit in the hotshoe on your camera, and give you a PC sync jack. Here's one option: Strobist: Universal Translator Ushers in New Age of Cheap, Off-Camera Harmony

- Rick