I've been really impressed with just how cheap the setup is which proves that pretty much anyone can put together a setup for portraits that's both inexpensive and highly portable.
I also ran a session at my local camera club recently where I was demo'ing the use of both studio lights and this cheap/portable setup. For the demo I really wanted to do wireless shooting (so the images would appear on my iPad immediately after taking the photo) for everyone to see. After a bit of searching on the Internet, I found a great free app that works with both Nikon and Canon wifi-enabled cameras). I've included the details of the app below too.
My setup consists of:
2 x Yongnuo YN-560 III Flashes
These cost c. £45 each on Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BXA7N6A/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1)
As these flashes have a built in receiver, you only need a single transmitter to fire them (see next item on my list)
2 x Yongnuo RF-603 Wireless Triggers
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00A4XBGQA/ref=pe_385721_51767431_TE_dp_1
These cost c. £22 for 2 including a remote control cable too!
I then had a bracket (sorry can't find the link to this) which lets you attach the 2 flashes side by side onto one of these (which costs £5.32)!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004YNF3DI/ref=pe_385721_37038051_pe_217191_31005151_3p_M3T1_dp_1
The bracket above was then fixed to a stand pointing into a Bowens brolly (costing about £41):
For less than a couple of hundred pounds you can get the full setup to allow you to shoot studio quality portraits at a fraction of the cost.
The wireless tethering app I mentioned is called 'Helicon Remote' and is available for free on the Apple App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/helicon-remote/id957334044?ls=1&mt=8) or via their website here (http://www.heliconsoft.com/software-downloads/).
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Also now have 500 business cards and a new softbox that connects to my flash.
Hopefully this is everything sorted now and I can get on with actually taking some photos!
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All set and ready to go!
Just need some customers now!!
]]>This will involve putting up my backdrop and light units and then giving it all a test (assuming I have enough extension leads!)
Will also mean I'll need to assemble the softbox with its awkward metal rods that took me 20 minutes to do last time!
Flooring has arrived but won't be down until next week and then all should be set for starting the photography at the end of July/early August if all goes to plan.
The box of props is coming along nicely now too. It currently contains:
- A bubble machine and catchable bubbles.
- Sunglasses.
- Pirate gear (hook, eyepatches, swords etc).
- Multi-coloured gear (skirt, hat, blue hair wig, slinky!, bouncy ball).
- Feather boa and jewellery for the girls.
- Baby props including a very cute knitted frog hat.
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Mopping the floor, cleaning marks off the walls and chasing a massive bee out of the window twice!
Looking much more like a studio already.
Next step is to measure the room again for the white Lino I'm going to put down.
]]>Hopefully get everything sorted for end of July.
]]>No longer a free trial but a fully paid up subscription now for the next 12 months.
]]>Best get a shuffle on to make sure I'm ready!
]]>Been shopping today and now have a multi-coloured hair wig (!), a bubble machine, some fairy wings and a couple of other colourful toys for the studio.
My background frame and black backdrop also came today to go with the white backdrop I already have so I'm starting to build up quite a stock now.
Still to come is the green backdrop that will allow me to do 'green-screen' effects like they do in the movies. I should be able to photograph someone/something and then completely replace the background. Anyone want a photo in front of a famous landmark or with a famous celebrity? Should be able to easily do these soon!
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