To create beautiful studio portraits you will need studio strobes and light modifiers (umbrellas, light boxes) to light your subjects. While you do not need a ton of gear, you do need enough to get started with a basic lighting kit. I work with B&H Photo in New York to provide these kits. They are reliable and almost always have everything needed in stock.
You can buy your lights anywhere you wish, but I have set these up specifically for you to get everything you need to get started with a few clicks of the mouse.You also do not need everything on this list. I have provided basic kits; one cheaper and one more expensive. I have also included accessories that you may wish to get or you may choose not to, but they are on the list because I get asked about my recommendations.
Good luck!
Charlie Borland
Why items are listed in these kits:
You will need ideally three strobes with light stands for each. You will need either umbrellas or light boxes depending on what you are shooting. Grids are useful for accent light and create a spotlight effect. You need to have a background behind your subject and there are many options on what you use.
A lighting boom is useful for creating specific accent lights on your subject. Reflector panels are what is used for a fill light source in some lighting setups and these are extremely useful; for all kinds of photography. Wireless triggers allow you to be wire free between your camera and strobe and move about as you please.
LIGHTING KITS AND ACCESSORIES-PORTRAIT
***Low Budget:
IMPACT MONOLIGHT KIT $850.00
This Impact Kit from B&H is low budget and includes most everything:
2 400ws monolights
1 100ws monolight
A radio sender and receiver wireless trigger to fire the flash
2 10’ stands
1 background light stand
1 24 x24 light box
2 umbrellas
Carry case
B&H part # for the above: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/640431-REG/Impact_VSLCD400_3KI_VS_LCD_400W_3_Light_Backlight.html/BI/7592/KBID/8120
Single monolight 160 ws http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551788-REG/Impact_VSD_160_VSD160_Digital_Monolight.html/BI/7592/KBID/8120
Single monolight 300ws http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/501613-REG/Impact_VSD_300_VSD300_Digital_Monolight.html/BI/7592/KBID/8120
Also needed with this kit:
GRIDS
You can have a low budget approach with one grid and clamp it to your reflector with a spring clamp. (I have done this a million times) or a complete kit with reflector. There may be a grid set for you lights so be sure and search for your model.
Single 7” grid for Impact Lights $29.95
OR
Complete kit: Bowens grid reflector and 2 grid spots $176
***Higher Budget:
ELINCHROM MONOLIGHT KIT $2202.24
This Scott Kelby Kit is higher budget and includes ALMOST everything:
2 500 ws monolights
2 light stands
Octa Midi Bank light box
Strip light box
Wireless triggers
Grid reflector with grids
17” beauty reflector
This kit also needs:
1 more monolight Elinchrom 250
2 umbrellas $13 each http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/362386-REG/Impact_S3243_White_Translucent_Umbrella_43.html/BI/7592/KBID/8120
Larger Light Box: 36 x 48” $124
Carry Case for light boxes, umbrellas $70
OR I use SKB Hard Golf cases from the golf shop and it holds all stands, boxes, umbrellas.
Carry case for lights $200
BOTH KITS NEED:
BACKGROUND SUPPORT
2 more large light stands for your background support if you want to use my home made system shown in lesson 1. Stands are $39 each: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/itemIncDetails.jsp/sku/253069/is/REG/type/acc/BI/7592/KBID/8120
OR
This complete background kit $99.99
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/itemIncDetails.jsp/sku/437786/is/REG/type/acc/BI/7592/KBID/8120
LIGHTING BOOM
Manfrotto Portable Light Boom $109
OR
Manfrotto Super Boom $500
PAPER BACKGROUNDS-YOU CAN USE PAPER (CHEAPER) OR CANVAS
1 SEAMLESS paper background WHITE
1 SEAMLESS paper background GREY
CANVAS BACKGROUNDS
If you want a recommendation for a painterly canvas background I recommend something like this one as it is neutral in color. There are many options available. You just don’t want the colors to be over bearing.
OPTIONAL ITEMS
A flash meter to measure your strobe for perfect exposures.
Sekonic 308 $240
Sandbags to hold your light stands from falling or blowing over. I have 8 of these. $19
Multi Cart for hauling your gear around $169
Interfit Reflector PANELS $87
PHOTOFLEX LITE PANELS
39:x72” http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/132922-REG/Photoflex_Reflector_Kit_1.html/BI/7592/KBID/8120
WIRELESS TRIGGERS
The above kits contain wireless triggers which send a signal to the strobes to fire when shutter is pressed. If you do not buy the kits but need triggers here are options:
Pocket Wizard Plus III
You need at least two: one on camera, one on a strobe. If you have more strobes they should have a photo cell in them that will see the first strobe fire and they will fire. You can have a PW on every strobe if you wish and this is helpful if you are shooting outdoors in sun with strobes and where the photocell may not see the main flash fire with on one trigger on the main strobe.
Note: If you plan to incorporate a Flash unit like a Canon 580EXII or Nikon SB800/700, etc. into your lighting setup you need a PW for that as well AND appropriate cables to connect. If you use the SB900 it has SU4 mode built in and no PW is needed.
Photoflex Wireless Trigger
Photoflex is a very reputable company and this flash trigger is a lower cost alternative that fires flash and strobes. Make sure you order correct cables.
