Invest in lighting or camera, which first?

Jimpink · Post by **Jimpink** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:14 pm

Pretty much the same set that's on it's way to me, minus the backdrops though as most reviews via eBay were that they likely arrive creased. Opted out and will either buy these separately or find something else to use instead.

I like blondes · Post by **I like blondes** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:17 am

jimpink wrote:I've just purchased some cheap soft box lights from eBay and will experiment with these to start with and hope to level up to your standard!

$53 USD for lighting, bro. $20 USD for FaceApp Pro. $25 USD for YouCam Makeup App. Total cost = $98 USD.

Camera used: Samsung Note 9

Jimpink · Post by **Jimpink** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:41 pm

I like blondes wrote:
jimpink wrote:I've just purchased some cheap soft box lights from eBay and will experiment with these to start with and hope to level up to your standard!
$53 USD for lighting, bro. $20 USD for FaceApp Pro. $25 USD for YouCam Makeup App. Total cost = $98 USD.

Camera used: Samsung Note 9

This is the plan, financially anyway! £35 Lighting dropped at work just after I left today so I'll pick that up tomorrow and start playing with it this weekend! FaceApp subscription pending if I need it. Backdrops can wait I've got a white wall corner I can make into a makeshift studio in my ahem studio flat.

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:26 pm

my ahem studio flat

You had another set of words in your mind to describe where you live

Jimpink · Post by **Jimpink** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 4:49 pm

Studio within a studio was the lame joke here, if you're implying that I was trying to be candid about my lush central London studio apartment then you'd be wrong. It's got more faults and issues than I can list easily and I'm still paying through the roof for it!

It's that or I've missed something...

Blisst · Post by **Blisst** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:19 pm

jimpink wrote:My incoming lighting was considerably cheaper than some of your recent suggestions so we shall see how long it lasts before a) collapsing and disintegrating or b) blowing up taking everything, doll, me and my flat with it. I'm sure if I'm careful I can get some shots off before any of this happens...

I did look at some Godox stuff Tighes1 and that'll be my go to once the first stuff lives it's life.

As for a clip on lens kit, I'm off to look for one right now. That could be a game changer in terms of affordability and multi function usability. Good tip Blisst! And I'm already using/getting used to GIMP 2.10, any advice appreciated as it's loaded with adjustments and can be somewhat overwhelming.

If i was buying one right now, this is probably the lens kit I'd go for (largely for the UV filters that I don't have in the kit I received as a gift) https://www.amazon.com/Godefa-Samsung-A ... 210&sr=8-5

Tips for GIMP?

um... https://www.gimp.org/docs/ and https://www.bing.com/search?q=gimp+tuto ... 01&PC=U531

Really, the one thing I can say, don't try to learn too much too fast when it comes to GIMP. Start small, take appropriate sized bites. you can always go back to your RAW images later, and retouch them again as you learn more.

Post by **setevoltas** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:28 pm

Lighting for sure. I spent over a year just using the camera on a Samsung J7. Eventually moved to a DSLR for various reasons, but a couple of Lumecube type lights probably would have given me another year just using the phone. And shoot, the Iphone camera and apps get better all the time.

Totally depends on your budget. Either way, your skills and approach will keep developing, just in slightly different areas.

siliconelover · Post by **siliconelover** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:51 pm

A camera is the investment, and really the lenses. Good lighting can be had for $100.

I like blondes · Post by **I like blondes** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 12:37 pm

Headshot, using that Rembrandt lighting. Probably the most perfect headshot I have ever taken, using a $20 6" ring light & a cell phone lol

Jimpink · Post by **Jimpink** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:37 pm

Blisst wrote:
If i was buying one right now, this is probably the lens kit I'd go for (largely for the UV filters that I don't have in the kit I received as a gift) https://www.amazon.com/Godefa-Samsung-A ... 210&sr=8-5

Tips for GIMP?

um... https://www.gimp.org/docs/ and https://www.bing.com/search?q=gimp+tuto ... 01&PC=U531

Really, the one thing I can say, don't try to learn too much too fast when it comes to GIMP. Start small, take appropriate sized bites. you can always go back to your RAW images later, and retouch them again as you learn more.

Yep looks like a pretty good deal on that lens kit link, thanks!

And that's exactly how I've been approaching GIMP, using simple steps that I can understand and not trying too hard. My first edit efforts can be seen as way too dramatic!

I like blondes wrote:Headshot, using that Rembrandt lighting. Probably the most perfect headshot I have ever taken, using a $20 6" ring light & a cell phone lol

That did come out well didn't it, good job. A little skill and technique goes a long way to making up the funds not spent on actual equipment.

Jimpink · Post by **Jimpink** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 11:54 am

First lighting shoot is here, thank you for all your advice so far. I'll get better each time but already it's a drastic improvement for a £30 investment.

Post by **Studio** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:38 pm

Nice photo, hope she won her race.

MattUK · Post by **MattUK** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:54 pm

I'd say camera. I still own zero lighting equipment and I'm very happy with the pictures I get (check out Hannah's thread). As other's have said, you don't need to get a brand new or hugely expensive DSLR though.

Jimpink · Post by **Jimpink** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:06 pm

Studio wrote:Nice photo, hope she won her race.

Thanks! She's still in training right now, check the eye candy, but living the dream of competing! Got to finish the outfit off with an "official" homemade race bib though.

MattUK wrote:I'd say camera. I still own zero lighting equipment and I'm very happy with the pictures I get (check out Hannah's thread). As other's have said, you don't need to get a brand new or hugely expensive DSLR though.

You do have impressive skills for no lighting at all, composition goes a long way and Hannah always looks stunning thanks to you! My lighting has improved my lack of colour recognition which is a big plus. Camera next for sure...

Ztar073 · Post by **Ztar073** » Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:13 pm

I like blondes wrote:Headshot, using that Rembrandt lighting. Probably the most perfect headshot I have ever taken, using a $20 6" ring light & a cell phone lol

It depends on what you like.. your using an app to essentially photoshop. Its not the same as a straight out of the camera picture. Some of us don't like the photoshop look.