Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - What would be a basic set-up for stock photography

Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 83 Location: too many

Hi All

So, finally i got my Rebel T2i with the Kit lens 18-55. As i read through a lot of forum posts, i have arrived at the below basic set-up for stock photography.

a DSLR

a prime lens - i have planned for the canon 50mm/1.8 ( as in most of the posts, kit lenses have been rated as not good enough for sharp images in the hands of an novice like me )

a tripod ( i have two, but both are not professional type, these things i got free with my camera purchase - so searching for a good one in my local ebay site every day)

do i need the canon additional flash?

planning to buy a white background cloth.

do i need additional light sources, if so what i need for a basic setup & how much it will cost approx. Here in UAE there are not much import duties or VAT, so it should be more or less the same as US or UK.

Thx a lot for ur comments. :-)

jeffbanke · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:02 pm

Studio lighting is always a great asset for all manner of indoor and some outdoor lighting scenarios, subjects and concepts.
I would recommend minimum of three strobes, 4 is better, and they should be in the 5-600 watt/sec range. You can get away with one of them being in the 250-300 range, and the other two in the higher range.

Soft boxes are needed for the strobe lights, as are light stands and a backdrop stand

Reflectors and diffusers are a neccessity, as is a flash for outdoor work.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:52 pm

If you are going to do some on whites or isolations for smaller objects you may want to consider getting some white translucent plexi-glass. This is what I shoot on almost all the time when doing that kind of shot. Here is the place I buy mine.

http://www.estreetplastics.com/

I would also invest in the 5 in 1 reflectors/diffuser. For about $35 you can have several different reflectors and a diffuser to help with outdoor shots.

http://www.adorama.com/FPPR5142.html

Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 83 Location: too many

Guys, Thx for your comments. Went to the market today to search for these.

Two strobes, with soft boxes , stand & carry cases is setting me off by 1900 Dhs or approx 550 USD. I am not sure i want to invest such cash for my initial setup, as i still not confident enough that i will be able to recover this.

I agree with you guys on investing in Glass, as i am still passionate about photography, but this setup would be specifically for stock. Is there any cheaper way out, so that i can get my first 10 in, and once i gain some confidence i won't mind putting in more cash into it.

Sorry if i sound a little bit penny cautious, but i have to be. I assume some of you will pounce on me with your comments, but i expect somebody who understands my situation to guide me through this.

Thx. a lot.

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:43 pm

What Dave and Jeff recommend is the way to go but if you can learn your lighting you can get by with a small inexpensive backyard setup that will work for you.

And yes get the 580EXII Canon flash and make sure you can use it from the camera and dont need the transmitter for it.

Get some of these lights and some white poster-board and some of the windshield sun shades to use as reflectors.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:15 pm

jeffbanke · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:21 pm

Plan ahead, storyboard your concepts, and rent lenses and or lights until you make enough to buy.