I'm new here and new to the wonderful world of photography. I'm looking to take some fashion type shots of a clothing line and I wanted to do something like butterfly lighting. My question is............for the the top/main light does it need to be a strobe? Or can I use continuous lighting with a softbox?
Since I'm new my area I'm going to use is relatively small with 9' ceilings and will be pretty dark as well. I'm hoping someone can give me some info on:
the type of lighting that can be used
what wattage I should consider as a minimum. I'm on a pretty small budget and hoping to find something do-able for pretty cheap.
Thanks in advance for anyone who will take the time on this
I'm no lighting guru but I think you'll want to go with strobes rather than continuous (hot) lights. Alien Bees are popular for those just starting or on limited budgets. I'd start with one or two lights to learn the basics. I don't have the Alien Bees but I believe there are many light modifiers that will fit them with the use of the appropriate adapter ring. Umbrellas work well too and are lots cheaper and easier to set up. The type of photography you want to do may dictate a certain type of equipment although basic lighting principles apply to all types. It's an interesting subject and there are many that can critique and help you in the People Photography forum. I'm still learning so I'm afraid I can't give more than very general advice. You might try posting your question over there as well. Good luck.
Were I you, I'd rethink your approach here: if you're photographing for a fashion line, and the clothing is more important than the models, then considering things like "butterfly lighting" (which is geared towards your subject's face) should be lower in priority than lighting that works for the wardrobe.
You really haven't given us enough information to help you. What kind of clothing: formal, t-shirts, full-length, jeans? How will it be modeled? How comfortable with lighting are you? Do you have to shoot indoors or can you work outside?
In general, when shooting people, continuous lighting is not a good idea. At this point you should be thinking either strobes or natural light, but not continuous.
Sure you can light clothing with continous lights and softbox but it would not be a low cost option compared to strobes. The cheap continous lights you see advertised will not give enought light for what you are describing. I would say a minimum of 2000watts is required when I use continous and I use it a lot. A single, low cost strobe would be enough light output assuming you know how to use it. The most cost effective way to start would be open a large garage door for light or find a room with tall windows and purchase at least one large reflector ( or white foam core panels) and a black panel to block light. If the weather is good setup a background under covered shade and shoot outside. The background will give it a studio look if that is what you want.
Thanks guys for the responses. I've actually gotten a budget strobe and have been working with it. Like I said(atleast I think I did) I'm a total newb, but I've been really happy with my results. Once I can explain one issue I'm having I'll post another topic. I know/think it has to do with sync and my shutter speed to high. Does it cause a type of vignetting? I think that's my issue.
