Low budget Lighting set up

[Nate Ledet]

As a photography hobbyist, money's tight.

What would you put together for the ultimate lighting setup on a low budget?

Lighting is the most important part of a set up...so it's not something you want to skimp on...but sometimes you have to :)

So, based on a $400, $600, and $800 dollar lighting set up...what would you do?

[Adam Schmidt]

Lowest budget is window light. :) It's totally free. You can add a silver reflector for a few bucks to bounce some light back in on the shadow side if needed.

What is it you want to photograph? People? Reptiles? Objects?

[Nate Ledet]

heh...well lets assume I photograph everything in the middle of the night.. :)

[Adam Schmidt]

:joker: Uhm, I really don't know how to respond to that. :scratchhead:

[Nate Ledet]

eeeh no day light.

I'm setting this up as if it's a small studio in my room. day light isn't my best option.

[Adam Schmidt]

LOL. OH! :)

Nate,

There are dozens and dozens of options. Fluorescent, quartz, flash, etc.

I have bought lots of flash units from Paul C Buff over the years. Their lowest priced units are called Alien Bees. I have some of them and have had no problems at all. Prior to that, I used their Ultra units, which have probably lasted for 10-12 years at least with no problems, even when the background light has been knocked over and hit the floor over and over again. lol. http://www.alienbees.com/flash.html

[Adam Schmidt]

Here is a link to many interesting options and kits...

http://www.owens-originals.com/jtlstrobes/continouslighting/continuous%20light%20kits.html (http://www.owens-originals.com/jtlstrobes/continouslighting/continuous%20light%20kits.html)

[Adam Schmidt]

More...

http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/category&category_id=aa80410e7b4373f87599fb128a9fc164&gclid=CPG-k-mG1pECFScdOAodpS32aQ

[Adam Schmidt]

This site has some good info and a few kit options...

http://www.studiolighting.net/studio-lighting-kits/

[Chrie Payton]

Another site that might be of some use to you would be for some alien bees. Their website is www.alienbees.com (http://www.alienbees.com) I hope this helps.

[Bob Ainsworth]

I have 4 AB800's and love them. All of their lighting modifiers, grids, stands, etc... are reasonably priced.
They have foldable octaboxes, and softboxes that are really cool.

[Daryl Young]

My first strobes a few years ago were 4 JTL160's from either Amvona or Owen's Originals, can't remember which, and they ran me about $500, if I remember right. Upgraded to much bigger and better, but I still use them for certain things. For cheap-o's, they were pretty **** good. Have a set of Smith-Victors, also, that work pretty good, too. Continuous lighting is ok, actually used to use work lamps I bought from Lowe's and diffussed them with sheets so they weren't so harsh. Really depends on what your shooting.

[Paul Finkelstein]

If you didnt see this site yet when your looking for tips:
http://www.shootsmarter.com/

[Paul Johnson]

For the past year I've been having the best time with these LED Flashlights....:lightbulb:

Amazing possibilities... And they are really cheap...:biggrin: