Bookend vs strobe for fill?

[TonyK]

Bookend? I've not hear of that before.

As far as mixing/matching brands of strobes, I would say get an AB400 for the fill light. Or get an AB800 so you can have additional a main light if you do large groups. In that way all of the accessories will fit between the different units.

[Mark McCall]

TJ,
I'm assuming the word "bookend" is another term for a reflector.

If so, I can tell you from experience, you have more control with a reflector for fill than with strobe.
Easier and faster to adjust too.

It's all in where you place it.

[TonyK]

I have a AB800 and two reflectors. I used to own a AB400 with the AB800. I sold it because I rarely used it.

Mark is right. There are books available on lighting that show setups and the like. You can also play with a wig head (those styrofoam heads for holding wigs) to play with lighting.

[Mark McCall]

Here's a graphic I posted to another website showing my light placement in studio.

The reflector (2)* serves as a fill light.
It's placed perpendicular and in front of the subjects.
Main light is aimed a little more toward the reflector than the subjects.

Reflector is a sheet of white coreplast (I use construction insulation these days), available at all home-improvement stores.

[TonyK]

Mark,

I have that PDF here and read it from time to time. It does help me when I think about lighting. Not too many times I get to do serious lighting these days.