should i use a flash kit or continus lighting for portrait photography, i am photographing a ball/prom soon and wondering what i will need to get to do it please help for a ball/prom you need to be mobile dont you?
if so use off camera flash, if they are set shots use whatever you will get the best results with
a If you have a set up where you'll have the umbrellas, etc. and you won't be walking around, I think a flash kit is better.
The continuous lighting gets HOT after a while. I went to Freestyle Photos (in Hollywood) and had wanted one--but they talked me out of it after I was shown both kits. Indeed, it got warm after a while. I trust you mean continuous lighting, and by that flood lamps.
Flash would be preferable for several reasons, I presume you will be using colour, flash is more reliable as far as colour temperature is concerned.
Flash will also give you a shorter shutter speed, so less risk of camera shake, even on a tripod, and also any movement of the subject spoiling your photograph.
Lastly, because flash is more common these days, if you a hiring the equipment, it might be cheaper, but shop around. If you are doing the formal prom shots, then I would suggest a standard setup using flash mono lights. They will be easier to set up and handle and, because of their very short light output times, will pretty much eliminate movement by either the camera or the subject.
They are also more controllable and you can setup your lighting in a smaller area. With continous lighting, if you vary the voltage to increase or decrease the amount of light, your color balance changes dramatically. To avoid that, you would need to change the distance between the subject and the light. Depending on the lighting ratio your shooting for, the area covered by your lighting can grow larger than you would like. With the flash, you simply dial in the light output you need from full power to something less.
You only mentioned the portraits. If that's all your doing, you're good to go with the flash. If you are trying to put together something like a prom experience package, shoot your portraits first as a block and then shoot the event pictures. If you have someone that can help you, have them break down and pack the portrait lighting while you are doing the candid stuff. It seems like a small thing, but you'll really appreciate it after an evening of shooting.
For the candid type shots, Antoni likes 'off camera' flash, which is excellent. When the environment is appropriate, I prefer bounced. It's a matter of personal shooting style and the type of image you want to take. I think Antoni also uses manual or automatic settings for his flash where I use TTL.
You may be able to rent whatever you need in your area and I would suggest that over buying anything unless you know you will have an ongoing need for the equipment. My personal philosophy is to own the equipment that covers 80% of the shots I do and rent everything else, charging off the customer.
That's probably more than you wanted to know.
Vance flash is what you need If you do this regularly get a light booth !
Or make one. I am not a fan of flash alone I must say it can give very harsh light and it can make people look hard and old.
Make yourself a quick mobile studio out of 4 light stands and two poles. Drape a background over one and a white sheet over the other. Use soft boxes from the kit below and in about 20mins you have a very good studio space anywhere.
I suggest a D-Lite2 Twin Head Kit - New A New Concept in "Entry Level Studio Flash" Stable Power - Accurate Control - Safe
Link : http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/PHOTO/... flash and a simple white / silver reflector.. to bounce the light off, and soften the shadows. (or a flash diffusing head, like on my metz)
but first, set up, with a brolly and a static backdrop and do the formal portraits, where you can exercise a modicum of control. candid shots are fine, but you cant control the idiots in the background... or the stray arms and legs...
then you walk the floor, inviting candid shots, couples, mates, girlfriends, boyfriends... they know who you are coz you already snapped them once... its a great ice breaker..
taking photos is easy, working a crowd is a skill in itself, and its gotten me so much repeat work... |
