Quote:
Originally Posted by David Smith
In order to start the learning process do you think a good idea would be to start with umbrella and use the Canon 480 off the camera?
|
This will get the learning process going for general flash use, but really wouldn't be suitable for family/single portraits, guns like the 480 - or even much more powerful ones such as the Metz 58AF-1 (far better value than the Canon) - just don't have the ooomph for your application. A gun like this is a useful accessory to have for general purpose photography anyway, so it wouldn't be wasted, but for studio work, you'll need something more substantial.
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Smith
If so can you recommend;-
a) which umbrella
b) which extension (or what are they called) from camera to flash unit
c) other basics
The reason for asking this is because of buying from Warehouse express I need to make sure I'm asking for the right things.
|
Have a look at
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/
the lighting and studio section links are at the bottom of the left hand side. For a room of your size, a 36" brolly is quite big enough. Don't be tempted to buy the 46" 'because it's only a few quid more", I fell into this trap and found a 46" is way too big in the space of a small room.
Here's some useful items covering items a) and b) on your list:
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/Lighti...rol/Umbrellas/
You will need a lighting stand, you can get away with a surplus tripod, but a dedicated light stand is cheaper, takes up less footprint in the room (very important in your case) and puts the light at the height you need it. I struggled by with a spare tripod for about 1 year until I sold that and bought a dedicated stand.
I do small table-top still life stuff, so only use bits of cloth/paper as backdrops, you'll need something more substantial but I'll leave it up to others to recommend those items as I have no direct experience.
Duncan