Lighting options

I shoot canon digital and film, and am looking for a lighting setup. I run the whole gammit of macro, portraiture, etc, usually not to much group shots though, and am trying to decide between going with a 2 or 3 wireless canon flash setup, I've already got 1, or going with a hotlight setup. I know they are two different things, but can't afford both or a strobe setup.

I realize you want a "one shoe fits all approach" but I don't think that's going to end up being very realistic. Are there are few kinds of subjects you had in mind? Do you need more light for macro for example?

I honestly don't have a lot of experience with this so take anything I say with a grain of salt, but I've found tools like light modifiers (reflectors, stands for reflectors, etc) to be a lot more valuable than light sources when you're not sure what you'll end up needing/wanting. If you already have an off camera flash setup and want more light then what do you want that additional light for?

Let me phrase it a different way....why doesn't your current flash get the job done for you? Can you work around those problems without adding additional light sources?

Or maybe you just want to have some new toys to play with (in the form of lights). There's NOTHING wrong with that! What kind of playing do you want to do in that case?

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Originally Posted by Trevor Ash

I realize you want a "one shoe fits all approach" but I don't think that's going to end up being very realistic. Are there are few kinds of subjects you had in mind? Do you need more light for macro for example?

I honestly don't have a lot of experience with this so take anything I say with a grain of salt, but I've found tools like light modifiers (reflectors, stands for reflectors, etc) to be a lot more valuable than light sources when you're not sure what you'll end up needing/wanting. If you already have an off camera flash setup and want more light then what do you want that additional light for?

Let me phrase it a different way....why doesn't your current flash get the job done for you? Can you work around those problems without adding additional light sources?

Or maybe you just want to have some new toys to play with (in the form of lights). There's NOTHING wrong with that! What kind of playing do you want to do in that case?

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Well, when shooting portraiture, one flash is not enough, and the same with macro. Only one side is lit while the other side is too dark. Now when i shoot macro, I usually spend alot of time with that subject, as I usually shoot flowers etc, not things that are going to jump or fly away, so I can take time to play with lighting postition, camera angle etc. You are right, I do want something that will "generally" cover my bases, as I realize one thing will not do everything I want to do! just looking for opinions, experience and so on.

For the macro work, I would suggest getting the flash off camera (if it's not already) and using reflectors. This works for me because I rarely (can't name a time) need even lighting on both sides of the subject. That's kind of the beauty of reflectors, it's a guaranteed way to develop some dimension without having to worry about lighting ratios.

I have a strong opinion that single flash and reflectors does a LOT for macro and would be much better in the field than multiple flash units. Mostly because it's easier to work with one flash and a reflector than it is two flashes.

And to be honest with you, the same thing goes for single person portraits. But I suppose once you get into things like hairlights and background lights you're definetely going to need more lights. I can definetely see the need for more lights when doing fancy portrait work where these kinds of things are required or where you want special effects.

Having said all that, I suspect you probably have some visions in your head about what you want and I woudln't be surprised if you told me that accomplishing it would take multiple light sources. I'm not trying to imply that there's anything bad about that.