Microstock Photography Forum - General > Lighting
How many Ws is needed? Thinking about buying Strobes
Dantheman:
Hi Everyone,
At the moment i am thinking about buying strobes and the question about how many Ws are needed came up.
Until now i have been using 2 Flashes. A Canon 430EX and a Yongnuo 560. They have been very helpful in learning about lightning, but i have the feeling that they are limiting me. I also find the hassle with charging batteries etc. very annoying.
I was thinking about buying a set of Bowens Gemini 400's, something like this (http://www.calumetphoto.de/eng/product/bowens_gemini_400_400_studio_kit/bowbw4717)
But i am unsure if i even need 400Ws.
Would you guys think that two 200Ws strobes would be enough? The Bowens Gemini 200 for example?
I would like to buy a large Softbox, something around 150cm and a Beauty Dish and maybe a Set of Strip Lights. Obviously all these accessories also suck a bit of light.
Would 200Ws be enough for stock photos. Mostly portraits with 1-3 people etc.?
Which strobes do you use?
I found the Bowens Gemini interesting, because they also offer a travel pack.
Unluckily it is very difficult to get the Paul C. Buff Strobes here in Austria. Otherwise those would be my first choice, since they are quite cheap and also offer the option with the Vagabond Battery Pack (which is also way cheaper than the Bowens version).
Would be happy to hear some opinions!!
Kind regards!
MichaelJayFoto:
--- Quote from: Dantheman on April 18, 2013, 12:17 ---But i am unsure if i even need 400Ws.
Would you guys think that two 200Ws strobes would be enough? The Bowens Gemini 200 for example?
I would like to buy a large Softbox, something around 150cm and a Beauty Dish and maybe a Set of Strip Lights. Obviously all these accessories also suck a bit of light.
Would 200Ws be enough for stock photos. Mostly portraits with 1-3 people etc.?
--- End quote ---
I used to shoot with 2 x 200 Ws when I started. It's perfectly fine for objects, for fill lights and accents. But don't try to use them as main light for people. Not even for one, don't start talking about groups.
We currently shoot with 3 x 600 Ws - one for main light, two for the background - and 1 x 300 Ws for accent light. Excellent for one or two people, borderline for three, not enough to light large enough for more people.
In my opinion, you could go for 400 Ws for the background light but I would certainly get something stronger for main light if you want to shoot groups.
PS: What I describe is for shooting on white background. You might need less for background if want to shoot in real scenery and just need fill light for the surroundings. Still you want the main light to be strong, especially if you want to shoot more than one or two people.
Dantheman:
--- Quote from: MichaelJayFoto on April 18, 2013, 12:43 ---
--- Quote from: Dantheman on April 18, 2013, 12:17 ---But i am unsure if i even need 400Ws.
Would you guys think that two 200Ws strobes would be enough? The Bowens Gemini 200 for example?
I would like to buy a large Softbox, something around 150cm and a Beauty Dish and maybe a Set of Strip Lights. Obviously all these accessories also suck a bit of light.
Would 200Ws be enough for stock photos. Mostly portraits with 1-3 people etc.?
--- End quote ---
I used to shoot with 2 x 200 Ws when I started. It's perfectly fine for objects, for fill lights and accents. But don't try to use them as main light for people. Not even for one, don't start talking about groups.
We currently shoot with 3 x 600 Ws - one for main light, two for the background - and 1 x 300 Ws for accent light. Excellent for one or two people, borderline for three, not enough to light large enough for more people.
In my opinion, you could go for 400 Ws for the background light but I would certainly get something stronger for main light if you want to shoot groups.
PS: What I describe is for shooting on white background. You might need less for background if want to shoot in real scenery and just need fill light for the surroundings. Still you want the main light to be strong, especially if you want to shoot more than one or two people.
--- End quote ---
Thank you for the info. Guess 200 Ws is way to little.
Which make of strobes do you use?
PS: I have really been enjoying your blog. Great stuff!!
tab62:
I have 6 lp160 speedlites working with v4 cactus and one photo strobe 200w thus plenty of lighting. The speedlights allow me to be mobile. I have one 16 bank battery charger thus easy to recharge.
WarrenPrice:
I work in a small space, Danteman, shooting food, flowers and objects and went with the Alien Bees. I have a 400 and a 1600. A softbox on the 1600 and umbrella on the 400. I also added snoot and barn doors.
The 1600 may be overkill but I got it used from my neighbor.
If I had a larger space, I would go for another 400. Even now, when I move into the kitchen -- for more space -- I would like to have a third light.
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