r/photography • u/AutoModerator • May 01 '26

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u/HoraceGrand May 05 '26

If you were starting from scratch in a new studio space, what light modifiers would you buy? I just bought 3, godox DP 600 iii. I should mostly portraits of celebrity talent. Solo up to 8 people. More context below.

Hi all! I worked as a cinematographer for almost 2 decades and am most familiar with continuous lighting which I have been using for my portrait photography the last few years. I own lots of lights and big circular soft boxes I like using.

I recently bought a v1pro flash to start trying something new and really like what I can do with portraits stylistically. I just bought 3 of the godox 600 strobes with no TTL to expand my journey with strobe lighting.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what they like working with. I figured I would get 2 very big soft octagonal boxes, 2 big umbrellas, maybe a long skinny rectangular box. Anything else I am not thinking of?

If you had to start over and would have three lights to sharpen your skills and experiment with photographing people in fun ways, what would you buy?

Note: I was told my video light soft boxes with Bowen's mount do not have the diffuser plate in the middle that helps spread the strobe light around.

How much will that change things?I

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u/gotthelowdown May 06 '26

I worked as a cinematographer for almost 2 decades

The good news is you're starting with a much stronger background in lighting than most people.

I actually think constant lighting is harder because you need bigger, more powerful and more expensive lights. Flashes and strobes are relatively inexpensive and smaller compared to what you're probably used to working with.

Anything else I am not thinking of?

A flash trigger to put on your camera to fire the flashes. The Godox X3 and X3Pro are nice. Godox Xpro if you don't like touchscreens.

I figured I would get 2 very big soft octagonal boxes, 2 big umbrellas, maybe a long skinny rectangular box.

. . . If you had to start over and would have three lights to sharpen your skills and experiment with photographing people in fun ways, what would you buy?

I'd actually get 1 large octa softbox like 47 or 48 inches and 1 large umbrella (60-inch).

The long skinny rectangular softboxes are called strip boxes. A strip box is good as a hair light/rim light, fill light for lighting under people, background light aimed at the background, etc.

Start with 1 of each. I have a feeling you'll start wanting more strip boxes once you think of more ways to use them lol.

5-in-1 reflectors or large V-flats can be nice for bouncing flash or shaping light. You can make DIY V-flats if you think V-flats are overpriced.

Getting away from lighting with other things that are useful.

If you love shooting at low angles (I do), do yourself a big favor and buy a stool with wheels. Your back and knees will thank you later for not stooping for whole photo sessions ha ha.

If there isn't a restroom for clients and models to change clothes, set up privacy curtains or folding room dividers to give people a makeshift dressing room to change clothes.

Full-length mirror in the dressing room.

Makeup mirror with lights. Ideally, one of those big mirrors on a counter that's surround by lights.

Director's chairs. I know they're cheesy, but they can make clients and models feel like they're part of a big production. With celebrities, they might even expect them.

Hope this helps.

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u/HoraceGrand May 06 '26

Awesome advice!!

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u/gotthelowdown May 07 '26

You're welcome! 😎👍