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Kujo
03-22-2008, 07:11 PM
I've had enough of taking pics with poor lighting and want to get some decent adjustable lights, but don't really know where to begin. Is it better to go with cheaper house hold lights, or go the whole hog and get something more pro? Or is there an inbetween?Are continuous or flash lights better for this kind (statue) photography?

Any advice much appreciated :)

hazmatt
03-22-2008, 07:25 PM
From what I've read about lights, continuous or 'hot' lights are easier to learn with because they are constantly on and show you exactly what your lighting looks like at all times. Flash setups can have higher outputs but are more difficult to learn with as it's more trial and error for beginners.

Check this link. From the march issue of popular photography.
http://www.popphoto.com/lighting/5139/the-right-lights.html

There is always the frankenlight set up option as well. When I get my first light kit, it will most likely be a "hot light" set up.

P1X4R
03-22-2008, 08:53 PM
i've actually been looking into this for the last few weeks. there are so many choices! i wanted strobes but i knew it was going to cost $$$. eventually i think i might end up with an AlienBees setup.

http://www.alienbees.com

but that's down the line. for now i'm going to go with some high power work lights. something that SquiderM3 is already using. it's very inexpensive and it produces great affordable lighting. i'm going to use this to bounce lighting off the ceiling. this baby will light up the room really well! :thumbs2:

http://www.amazon.com/Designers-Edge-Two-Light-1000-Watt-L-14SLED/dp/B0002YW2C8

Daredevil
03-22-2008, 09:09 PM
What do you guys use for lighting up the Detolfs from Ikea?

Merlose
03-23-2008, 02:00 PM
If you guys are going to be using hot lights I would suggest investing in a tripod as well.

cma3
03-23-2008, 02:47 PM
i've actually been looking into this for the last few weeks. there are so many choices! i wanted strobes but i knew it was going to cost $$$. eventually i think i might end up with an AlienBees setup.

http://www.alienbees.com

but that's down the line. for now i'm going to go with some high power work lights. something that SquiderM3 is already using. it's very inexpensive and it produces great affordable lighting. i'm going to use this to bounce lighting off the ceiling. this baby will light up the room really well! :thumbs2:

http://www.amazon.com/Designers-Edge-Two-Light-1000-Watt-L-14SLED/dp/B0002YW2C8


AB's are definitely whats up. You can get a starter rig for about $100.

Ed, check your local lowes or home depot for that linked set. i am not sure if there are any significant price fluctuations on the left coast when it comes to something like this...but that rig you linked costs $35.00 here in florida. it will be cheaper...and no shipping fees or waiting time.

this is what i am talking about:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=235242-52757-WL500DPT-L&lpage=none

Kujo
03-23-2008, 03:21 PM
Whats a good lighting company? I've seen Bowen around a lot.

The ones you showed are a bit big for the space that I have P1X - not bad price though, shame there isn't something similar in uk... :(

Trilogy
03-23-2008, 03:43 PM
Kujo, you can acquire similar work lights to those that P1 has posted at your local DIY superstores, such as Wickes.

Kujo
03-23-2008, 04:03 PM
Cool, thanks T. Will have to look there :)

Mandragora
03-23-2008, 06:55 PM
AB's are definitely whats up. You can get a starter rig for about $100.

Ed, check your local lowes or home depot for that linked set. i am not sure if there are any significant price fluctuations on the left coast when it comes to something like this...but that rig you linked costs $35.00 here in florida. it will be cheaper...and no shipping fees or waiting time.

this is what i am talking about:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=235242-52757-WL500DPT-L&lpage=none


those look great . . but i would strongly recommend lamping those down, OR, get some way to control/dim them. 1,000 watts (times 4) is a whole helluva lotta light

cma3
03-23-2008, 07:26 PM
those look great . . but i would strongly recommend lamping those down, OR, get some way to control/dim them. 1,000 watts (times 4) is a whole helluva lotta light

without a doubt. the only way to be effective with these is to diffuse them even if bouncing.

might as well stare directly into the sun if going head on with this rig.

Mandragora
03-23-2008, 07:30 PM
without a doubt. the only way to be effective with these is to diffuse them even if bouncing.

might as well stare directly into the sun if going head on with this rig.

just be careful, they'll get real hot on you

to give you an idea, i use 150w lights, and they are rarely on at full and they get wicked hot

Kujo
03-23-2008, 07:38 PM
What sort of lights do you use Erin?

Mandragora
03-23-2008, 07:39 PM
What sort of lights do you use Erin?

these little things i stole from a theater. sort of a par lamp

Kujo
03-23-2008, 07:54 PM
:eek: Thats despicable! lol

This light stuff is tough going. There's so much technical jargon... hard to know whats what. I think I'll do what P1 is doing, and have a look at some small working lights and work up from there :)

cma3
03-23-2008, 07:57 PM
the lights that ed is looking at are not 'small'. and i will tell you right now, they are not easy to shoot with.

(size-wise they are really small..but i dont think thats what you meant)

they are...inexpensive and but very powerful.

Kujo
03-23-2008, 07:59 PM
Is there any way to adjust their power?

Trilogy
03-23-2008, 08:19 PM
Telescopic Worklight! (http://www.wickes.co.uk/Mobile-Worklights/500W-Telescopic-Worklight/invt/702860)

It's a 500 watt, but you can always replace the bulb with a lower wattage.

Or for a few £££ more you can purchase photography lamps.

Photography fluorescent light kit! (http://www.backdropsource.co.uk/Productinfo.asp?id=746&pname=fluorescent-light-kit-for-product-photography)

hazmatt
03-23-2008, 11:04 PM
just be careful, they'll get real hot on you

to give you an idea, i use 150w lights, and they are rarely on at full and they get wicked hot

hence the term "hot lights" :)

Is there any way to adjust their power?

Splice in a dimmer switch and be neat/thorough with your wiring.

P1X4R
03-24-2008, 01:54 AM
i bought a set of these today at a local hardware store for $39.99! it's made by Coleman. there are two 500 watt lights attached side by side on an adjustable height tripod. combined they can output a total of 1000 watts! or i can switch them to output 250W each but i noticed that the lighting is not as bright white but a more yellowish hue. man, for $40 bucks these light up any room extremely well. i have them angled and pointed towards the ceiling. if anyone is looking for a cheap light source then these are it! just be careful though.. they do get quite hot. definitely install the wire housing on the lights.

here are a few sample pics i took.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh285/P1X4R_2008/TMP/IMG_3290.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh285/P1X4R_2008/TMP/IMG_3291.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh285/P1X4R_2008/TMP/IMG_3288.jpg

P1X4R
03-24-2008, 02:01 AM
i was going to go to home depot but my nearby local hardware store had them.

btw, you can actually buy each light without the tripod for something like $12 but i prefer mounting them high on a tripod for safety.



Ed, check your local lowes or home depot for that linked set. i am not sure if there are any significant price fluctuations on the left coast when it comes to something like this...but that rig you linked costs $35.00 here in florida. it will be cheaper...and no shipping fees or waiting time.

this is what i am talking about:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=235242-52757-WL500DPT-L&lpage=none

Kujo
03-24-2008, 08:55 PM
Telescopic Worklight! (http://www.wickes.co.uk/Mobile-Worklights/500W-Telescopic-Worklight/invt/702860)

It's a 500 watt, but you can always replace the bulb with a lower wattage.

Or for a few £££ more you can purchase photography lamps.

Photography fluorescent light kit! (http://www.backdropsource.co.uk/Productinfo.asp?id=746&pname=fluorescent-light-kit-for-product-photography)


They're pretty sweet. I like those photography lamps Think ill order one of them and see how they are.

Kujo
03-24-2008, 09:00 PM
i bought a set of these today at a local hardware store for $39.99! it's made by Coleman. there are two 500 watt lights attached side by side on an adjustable height tripod. combined they can output a total of 1000 watts! or i can switch them to output 250W each but i noticed that the lighting is not as bright white but a more yellowish hue. man, for $40 bucks these light up any room extremely well. i have them angled and pointed towards the ceiling. if anyone is looking for a cheap light source then these are it! just be careful though.. they do get quite hot. definitely install the wire housing on the lights.

here are a few sample pics i took.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh285/P1X4R_2008/TMP/IMG_3290.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh285/P1X4R_2008/TMP/IMG_3291.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh285/P1X4R_2008/TMP/IMG_3288.jpg

Nice shots Ed. Looks pretty natural. Especially AB!

Trilogy
03-25-2008, 05:53 AM
They're pretty sweet. I like those photography lamps Think ill order one of them and see how they are.

They have some great equipment at good prices.

cma3
03-25-2008, 11:56 AM
i got mine.

and they've already given me a headache.

ummm, dont stare into them for long periods of time. :thumbs2:

30 bucks at lowes on sale.

i may actually use them as garage/work lights.

http://www.cma3.com/imgz/sf_misc/1000wattz_cma3.JPG

Kujo
03-28-2008, 01:56 PM
I popped into Wickes today to see what telescopic worklight was like and that. As I walked into the store, there stood the worklight in the enterance selling half price at £12.99. Its ex-display but in perfect condition (apart from being a little dusty and no box) with a 500 watt bulb, so i picked it up and bought a 300 watt bulb incase. Good job too... the 500 is REALLY bright. God knows what i'd have been like with the monster rig you have P1, haha.

Trilogy
03-28-2008, 06:45 PM
That was good timing.
Nice bargain you got yourself.