I'm very new to studio lighting and am curious what I might need. I currently do photography at bodybuilding/fitness contests. Competitors often ask if I do studio shots (full body -- head to toe). So I'm considering setting up a studio-area in my house. I already have a dark backdrop. In terms of strobes and reflectors, do you guys have any suggestions. I read a lot about the Alien Bees. Which would you recommend and what size soft box and/or umbrellas does one need for full body work? Thanks.

Dan

I've never used Alien Bees, but I've heard lots of good things about them.

Depending what equipment you already have, you could probably get away with using 1-2 camera flashes mounted on a light stand fired into an umbrella.

I use that setup as an "easy setup/move" setup, while I have a couple Interfir 300ws studio strobes, a couple umbrellas, and a Med & LG softbox.

I love my Bee's. and . If you're going full body, you might want to get a large softbox an some type of large umbrella to throw on the fill light, or another softbox. I only use my SB800's as accent lights or into an umbrella for a head or half body shot.