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View Full Version : What portable lighting equipment do you use when your shoot portraits outside studio?



diversey
28-Jul-2019, 17:50
I do not have a studio and plan to take more environmental portraits using portable lighting equipment. What lighting equipment do you use when you do environmental portraits? Thanks! David

Peter De Smidt
28-Jul-2019, 17:56
Ac power? Film/f-stop/modifier? One person/group? Headshots or...?

jp
28-Jul-2019, 18:34
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/501357-REG/Westcott_301_5_in_1_Reflector_Disc.html

LabRat
28-Jul-2019, 19:25
Environmental means environment, so the natural scene with the subject in it...

Look at the work of Arnold Newman, he used existing light but maybe added a single light for his subject usually...

This can be merely a cheap painters light just over the lens to fill in shadows and even out the subject... And not so bright as to overpower the ambient lights...

Steve K

Two23
28-Jul-2019, 20:41
White Lightning X3200 with Vagabond battery, 54 inch umbrella. White or gold reflector opposite.


Kent in SD

Mark Sampson
28-Jul-2019, 20:44
Newman did what it took to get the shot, simple or complex as the assignment demanded. If your subject has good natural light, then it's easy, just add some refllectors and fill cards as necessary.
If not, then a flash kit is the way to go. The power requirements for LF work point that way. I use Dyna-Lite gear on location, but then I've had that kit for decades.
Of course no two photographers work the same way...and you'll hear a lot of different answers (I hope).

Peter De Smidt
28-Jul-2019, 20:56
I have a Godox AD600. It's a battery powered monolight with an LED modeling light. There's a newer AD600 pro that has better color consistency. Godox also has an AD400 and AD200. These can be wirelessly controlled. They're good lights, as long as they have enough power for you. The ad600/pro have modeling lights, but they're nowhere as bright as an AC unit. Using umbrellas or big modifiers outside can be tricky if there's any wind. They also eat light if they have to be a ways away from your subject. Cheetahstand, a very good supplier, has some reflectors especially for when you have to be a bit farther from your subject. For example: https://www.cheetahstand.com/product-p/colt-45.htm

neil poulsen
28-Jul-2019, 22:58
A long time ago, I took a workshop from Norman McGrath, Photographing Buildings Inside and Out. I was interested in lighting, and I asked him what he would use, if he were beginning again.

He responded Dynalites. So, I took advantage of student discounts and purchased 6000 watt-seconds of power packs and five, 2000 watt-second, heads. (This is close to what he carried at the time.) I also purchased a set of grids, some soft-boxes, and some other accessories. Of course, he was photographing architecture w/4x5, and his lighting kit reflected that.

I still have all this lighting equipment, though I seldom use it these days. With today's digital cameras, this kind of power isn't needed.

Jeroen
29-Jul-2019, 03:50
I use Profoto B1(x), 500ws (with digital MF though, not LF). Plenty of power for individual portraits except on sunny summer days. Then I sometimes use an extra B1 to double the power. I just point it into the same reflector. I prefer a beauty scale over umbrellas outside because of wind. I bring a 10 lbs counterweight for the light stand and even guy lines + stakes. Look up Rineke Dijkstra's beach portraits, she used fill in flash on 4x5".

Tin Can
29-Jul-2019, 04:35
I have used a Honda EU1000i generator I bought 25 years ago with https://www.paulcbuff.com/Flash-Model-Comparison-Chart as i have them with many modifiers.

I may buy https://www.paulcbuff.com/Portable-Power/Vagabond-Mini-Lithium.html? as it is silent.

I also may buy the newer https://www.paulcbuff.com/digibee-flash-unit as all my modifiers fit.

I am also looking at the bigger Honda EU2200i as I need more power for another application.

Greg
29-Jul-2019, 05:29
Yongnuo YN10800 & YN900C Bi-Color LED Panels (with a bunch of NP-F Sony-style rechargeable batteries) usually adapted to various circa 1980s Photoflex Lightdomes/Softboxes (#293 my favorite) mounted on even older Lowel light stands. Never need AC outlets and the softboxes relatively easy to set up and take down. Also using them now more and more to shoot video. Replaced my Dynalight system which too many times had to also lug along a Honda generator.

diversey
29-Jul-2019, 06:24
Want to use DC power and do one person portraits in general. Thanks.


Ac power? Film/f-stop/modifier? One person/group? Headshots or...?

diversey
29-Jul-2019, 06:48
Well said, thanks.


Environmental means environment, so the natural scene with the subject in it...

Look at the work of Arnold Newman, he used existing light but maybe added a single light for his subject usually...

This can be merely a cheap painters light just over the lens to fill in shadows and even out the subject... And not so bright as to overpower the ambient lights...

Steve K

diversey
29-Jul-2019, 06:57
Randy: I need a generator for sure. It is hurricane season here:o. I like those lights. David


I have used a Honda EU1000i generator I bought 25 years ago with https://www.paulcbuff.com/Flash-Model-Comparison-Chart as i have them with many modifiers.

I may buy https://www.paulcbuff.com/Portable-Power/Vagabond-Mini-Lithium.html? as it is silent.

I also may buy the newer https://www.paulcbuff.com/digibee-flash-unit as all my modifiers fit.

I am also looking at the bigger Honda EU2200i as I need more power for another application.

diversey
29-Jul-2019, 07:00
Thanks for everyone's reply! Are there any hand-held LED lights available?

Peter De Smidt
29-Jul-2019, 07:09
Yes, but are they going to be bright enough?

Tin Can
29-Jul-2019, 07:10
I may also buy this as it's very quiet, key start and can run more things.

Don't wait they are selling. I need it more for winter power outages to run my furnace fridge and 2 little led

https://youtu.be/wAN77KzfYBQ


Randy: I need a generator for sure. It is hurricane season here:o. I like those lights. David

Tin Can
29-Jul-2019, 07:15
I also plan to convert my generators to both propane and natural gas.

A transfer box is also needed.

Oren Grad
29-Jul-2019, 07:42
Want to use DC power and do one person portraits in general.

At what typical working apertures?

EDIT: And with what sorts of light modifiers, if any?

Greg
29-Jul-2019, 08:09
Yes, but are they going to be bright enough?

800 lumens is roughly the same output as a 60W incandescent bulb, so...
Yongnuo YN900 LED 100% output is 7200 lumens or about 540 incandescent watts
Yongnuo YN10800 LED 100% output is 10800 lumens or about 820 incandescent watts

Tin Can
29-Jul-2019, 08:32
Yesterday while shooting tiny format I had my SB800 (https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb800.htm) always on in sunny skies with clouds.

I was moving all over a historic village, into shadows outdoors and indoors.

Documentation, not art.

I have used up to 3 SB800 with LF.

Peter De Smidt
29-Jul-2019, 08:57
If you're going to use speedlights, I recommend these: https://www.amazon.com/Godox-High-Speed-Speedlite-Speedlight-Compatible/dp/B00I0OD55U

I have three of the earlier V850s. They have their own lithium batteries which give a lot of flashes and a fast recycle time. For LF, you don't need fancy Nikon or Canon flashes.

I did all of my commercial on-location lifestyle work with 3 of these, mostly bounced, using a Nikon camera. My Nikon flashes stayed at home.

There's a step up, at least in price, to a round head version.

The AD200 is more powerful, about 4 times more than a regular speedight, and the bare bulb can lead to better evenness in a modifier.

The AD400 adds a stop more light.

The AD600 adds 1/2 stop more light.

If I were buying today, I'd get an AD400pro.

Tin Can
29-Jul-2019, 09:09
Sure looks like a Nikon clone.

I have used mine for 13 years mostly with Eneloop rechargeable.

Peter is correct those are cheaper.


If you're going to use speedlights, I recommend these: https://www.amazon.com/Godox-High-Speed-Speedlite-Speedlight-Compatible/dp/B00I0OD55U

I have three of the earlier V850s. They have their own lithium batteries which give a lot of flashes and a fast recycle time. For LF, you don't need fancy Nikon or Canon flashes.

ghostcount
30-Jul-2019, 06:16
If you're going to use speedlights, I recommend these: https://www.amazon.com/Godox-High-Speed-Speedlite-Speedlight-Compatible/dp/B00I0OD55U

I have three of the earlier V850s. They have their own lithium batteries which give a lot of flashes and a fast recycle time. For LF, you don't need fancy Nikon or Canon flashes.

I did all of my commercial on-location lifestyle work with 3 of these, mostly bounced, using a Nikon camera. My Nikon flashes stayed at home.

There's a step up, at least in price, to a round head version.

The AD200 is more powerful, about 4 times more than a regular speedight, and the bare bulb can lead to better evenness in a modifier.

The AD400 adds a stop more light.

The AD600 adds 1/2 stop more light.

If I were buying today, I'd get an AD400pro.

+1

Tin Can
30-Jul-2019, 06:29
The AD 400 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1422940-REG/godox_ad400pro_wistro_all_in_1_outdoor.html) does look good.

TTL, internal battery and transceiver.

One we pick a system most of us are stuck with our choice.

diversey
30-Jul-2019, 06:55
I probably use F8-22 and I don't have any lighting equipment now.


At what typical working apertures?

EDIT: And with what sorts of light modifiers, if any?

diversey
30-Jul-2019, 06:57
May be not, but it might be good for fill-in light?


Yes, but are they going to be bright enough?

diversey
30-Jul-2019, 06:59
Will take a look at AD400pro. Thanks!

DrTang
31-Jul-2019, 07:25
the only thing I can add is to not cheap out on the light stand(s).. if weight is no object.. then get C-stands and a couple sandbags.. if you want more portable.. then Matthews medium kit stands are my favorites

Peter De Smidt
31-Jul-2019, 07:32
I agree with Dr. Tang. Just as many people start with a horrible tripod, many people undervalue the utility and safety of a good light stand. I'm not a fan of c-stands for lights. They are very strong, usually being made out of steel, but the diameter of their leg spread is small. So they're unlikely to mechanically fail, but they are more likely to tip over than a stand with a wider base. In Hollywood, they're used for grip equipment and not lights. All of the major professional grip companies make good stands: Matthews, Kupo, Avenger...

Tin Can
31-Jul-2019, 07:36
Buy sand bags already filled with sand from B&H as they ship for free over $50.

I like my C Stands in studio with sand bags.

There are many useful variations to C Stands. Study them.

Pieter
31-Jul-2019, 10:03
C-stands with sandbags are quite stable. But I would not describe them as portable. They weigh over 15 lbs, and a couple of sandbags will be another 40 lbs! Takes some muscle to position the lights with C-stands. And they don't collapse very small or go very low without an arm. You will definitely need a van or SUV to haul everything around. An assistant comes in handy. too.

Peter De Smidt
31-Jul-2019, 13:57
This is exactly what quality kit stands are for. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/33465-REG/Matthews_B389788_Medium_Duty_Black_Kit.html

Tin Can
31-Jul-2019, 14:14
YouTube has lots of ideas.

Lighting Gear for Outdoor Portraits

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Lighting+Gear+for+Outdoor+Portraits

PRJ
1-Aug-2019, 10:42
I use an Elinchrom Ranger from many years ago. I'd imagine they still sell something like it. 1100 w/s gives you enough juice to use with the sun. You can eliminate the need for a sandbag too if you get a hook for the light stand. The battery acts like a sand bag. The older Rangers used a lead acid battery that can easily be replaced for 20 bucks or so which basically makes the pack brand new again. They aren't that expensive on fleabay. Better than buying some Chinese junk.


I was going to suggest some other things, but frankly you need assistants to do them. Stick with a battery powered flash that has enough power. I am sure people mean well, but those anemic little on camera units just don't cut it if you want great light.

Tin Can
1-Aug-2019, 10:48
This thread should cross reference the Fire puter outer thread.

Be careful to not start any fires outside and inside.

Forest burns well.

As does a field of grass.

Been there, running to a field fire to try to stop it before it consumed the barn...

Damn Bottle rocket...

Peter De Smidt
1-Aug-2019, 14:02
Godox qualifies as "Chinese junk"? Broncolor uses a re-branded Godox transmitter for some of their systems. I have Speedotron blackline professional gear. My Godox gear has been just as reliable.

ozphoto
2-Aug-2019, 02:31
I have a couple of Bowens Pioneer units. Fitted with an adapter they can hold brollies or a small softbox. These were sold before the Gemini power packs and are much easier to carry and store.

They come up for sale on eBay every so often - currently a set for sale in my hometown here in South Australia.
These are the details from B&H (no longer available).

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/470201-REG/Bowens_BW_1210_Pioneer_S1_SI_Portable.html

Fred L
2-Aug-2019, 08:06
I currently have Einsteins with Vagabonds for remote work. If I did it all over, would go Profoto if money was no object. Otherwise Godox.

Peter De Smidt
2-Aug-2019, 08:38
I agree with Fred. One really important point about lighting systems is how accessories, reflectors, softboxes, umbrellas....are attached. I dislike Buff's mounting system, although obviously lots of people use it successfully. I prefer a Bowen's mount, which Godox and many others offer, but the Profoto mount is even better, although there are less 3rd party accessories for it. The price, though.

BertieWooster
31-Oct-2019, 19:13
I'm way late to this, but I have a Godox AD360 and it is spectacular. A single light with a large softbox can keep up with even the brightest sunshine.