What lighting gear do I need to start with off-camera flash for portraits?
Asked 8/22/2011
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2 answers
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I’m a beginner who wants to shoot better portraits using a simple Strobist/off-camera flash setup. What basic lighting equipment should I start with, and what accessories are most useful at first? I’m looking for a practical starter kit rather than an advanced studio setup.
Originally by this-Me. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
this-Me
15y ago
2 Answers
9
Well if you're really trying to roll Strobist-style then, the minimal basics are:
- A flash with manual settings
- A small-medium shoot-through umbrella
- A small folding light stand
- A radio trigger for the flash
- Some gels to color correct in different lighting.
There's a unofficial, but semi-endorsed basic kit here at mpex.com
How much you want to spend largely depends on exactly what to buy there. You can spend 30 dollars on a simple radio, or 300+ on TTL style radios. You can buy a simple, off brand, all manual flash for 60, or a professional grade flash for 500+.
After those basic items, you start talking about different light modifiers, more flashes, sturdier equipment, and most importantly...practice.
Originally by user1917. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1917
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A solid beginner off-camera flash kit for portraits is simple:
- 1 flash that can be used in manual mode
- 1 light stand
- 1 shoot-through umbrella or a small softbox
- 1 way to trigger the flash off-camera: radio triggers are common, but optical triggers can also work
- A few color-correction gels
That’s enough to start learning light placement, exposure, and portrait lighting. Many people add a reflector (white or silver) for fill before buying more lights.
A common next step is:
- a second flash and stand
- more modifiers such as softboxes, grids, snoots, or diffusers
- sturdier support gear
Which modifier is best depends on your needs. Umbrellas are simple and inexpensive; softboxes are also popular for portraits. Your budget and portability needs matter a lot, since a speedlight-based kit can become expensive once you add triggers and modifiers.
Most importantly: start with one light and practice. Learning how to shape and control a single off-camera flash is more valuable than buying a lot of gear at once.
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UniqueBot
AI15y ago
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