Christian Photographers Community

I was wondering what everyone used for portrait lighting.  I use 3 flashes right now but am looking to buy big lighting. 

What do you use?

There's a really great book I checked out from the library and it tells a lot about studio lighting and posing. I think this is it:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2524769&sourceid=0100000030660805302498&dest=9999999997

The author (if I am thinking of the right book) talked about different lighting equipment. I think that would be a good book to check out.

Soni,

I think you know what I Use. 
I am a Bee Man.  Paul Buff equiptment is really great stuff.  You have the cheaper stuff like the AlienBees or you have the more expensive stuff like the white lightning strobes to choose from.

Regarding portrait lighting, Anybook by Bill Hurter is Great.  Lighting Diagrams along with theory are great in his Portrait Photographers Handbook.
Out of all my books on Photography that is the one I would not want to be without.  It is published by Amhearst Media Collection.

I have 2 AlienBee 400 strobes and One (older borrowed) White Lightning Strobe.  For hairlight I usually use a vivitar 285 suspended on a home made Boom arm.  Still trying to perfect the lighting from the hairlight.  Need to try and attach a Conical snoot to avoid the light from landing on the shoulders of the subject.  I guess I am just obsessive Compulsive about lighting.

http://www.alienbees.com/  Right from the Factory.

Enjoy. 

John Lambiase (TurboTech)

www.gloryshot.com

now, how do you set up the lighting...how does it all work?  I am going to buy some but not sure I can put it all together.  Do the books show instructions?

Soni give me some time.  I have to go to work.

I will explain in great detail.  Just may take a while to figure out how I want to approach this. 

Talk soon

Have a great day. 

John

'Bread and butter' portrait lighting consists of about four lights. A fill light, located behind the camera illuminates everything  that the lens sees.  This light guarantees nothing will be underexposed and keeps the shadows from going too dark.  The main light is usually found about 2/3rds of the way between the camera and the subject, up rather high and aimed down.  This light gives you contrast and shadows on the subjects face.  The hair light is a small light above and behind the subject and keeps the hair from blending in with the background.  The background light is usually on a short stand directly behind the subject aimed at the background.  This light keeps the background illuminated so it won't blend in with the subjects clothing.  There are other lights that are used occasionally, like 'kicker' lights that place a rim of light on the subjects face (a favorite lighting type used on Clint Eastwood) 'eyelighter' lights usually placed below the subject aimed up to give additional catchlights to the eyes.  There are also several others less frequently used.

Ben

Wow, Ben. Thank you for the advice.  I will look into it.