Reddit mentions of Godox 32 inches / 80cm Umbrella Octagon Softbox Reflector Diffuser with Carrying Bag Compatible for Studio Photo Flash Speedlight

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I09WHLW x 2 - Speedlights - $56

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Wireless-Speedlite-Receiver-Universal/dp/B00A47U22U - Wireless Trigger - $19

https://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photography-Light-Stands-Cases/dp/B001WB02Z4 - Light Stands - $29

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Universal-Speedlite-Umbrella/dp/B00JJJR7PY - x2 - Cold Shoe - $22

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0132I34K4 - Octobox - $23

https://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Premium-Shoot-Through-Translucent-Umbrella/dp/B005ODKMOC - Shoot though umbrella - $14

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-43-inch-Collapsible-Multi-Disc-Reflector/dp/B002ZIMEMW - 5 in 1 reflector - $20

That brings you for a full starting light setup that can be used for headshots and starting boudoir for $183. And you even have flexablity in there to use a 1 light setup with reflector or use 2 lights. You would want a few sandbags to keep the gear stable, but I am not including those in the price.

Now for a background setup

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E6GRHBO/ref=psdc_3444601_t1_B00MTF6ZVC

Is a good basic stand but hard to fit under your budget with the above lighting gear.

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Studio-Collapsible-Backdrop-1-8x2-8m/dp/B00UWL02PU is also an okay starting backdrop, Grey can be turned into white or black. I will warn you that you will need a fabric steamer to get the lines out, but that is pretty much the same however you go with cloth. Another more expensive choice is to go with seamless paper, I love working with paper, but it is an ongoing expense to use it.

Now if you are going to make this her studio all the time, they make http://www.homedepot.com/p/EUCATILE-32-sq-ft-96-in-x-48-in-Hardboard-Thrifty-White-Tile-Board-HDDPTW48/205995949 that you can use to make a great background. Or to me the better option if you are going to use a room as a full time studio, paint the walls, put down hardwood or laminate, and you have a great studio setup.

Believe the hype. I almost listened to a couple Youtube 'pundits' trash them, but I think they're just going for controversy clicks (looking at you, Angry Photographer, and your consistently terrible advice). lol I'm glad I read reviews.

I'm using this Godox softbox, which mounts just like an umbrella (because it basically is). I also have a dual-head Bowens mount that I've yet to try (partly because I haven't needed the extra power yet).

I've got no real setup to show ya, partly because I'm still experimenting with all the modifiers I bought (they're so cheap!!), but also because a fluid setup is really its advantage. Every single shoot is different because the lights are so easy to move around, and quickly turn off and on. They're like shooting with SB900 flashes, only much more powerful and a much more reliable RF transmitter. Oh, and they recycle unbelievably quickly. I'm shooting bursts and they don't even break a sweat. And they have high speed sync, which my Einsteins, incredibly, do not.

I used one of these cheap 30 inch umbrella style octa-softbox. I used it without the diffuser since its an indirect softbox anyway, wanted more specular look since it was sunny out plus saved my light the work of having to put out extra power for the same exposure.

Also used a 1/2 CTB gel on the flash since I am shooting them in the shade. This helps warm up the photo and keeps the shadow side of my subjects faces closer to the same WB as the lit side.

If you're doing video, you want constant lights - really, really big ones. If you're using fluorescents, you want really good bulbs like these units from Eiko,, perhaps in a couple of four-bulb umbrella holders with Godox umbrella softboxes.

Alternately, big damn incandescents (700W+) are powerful, have great color (100CRI,) and zero intercompatibility issues. They're hot as hell, though.

A pair of YN360 light wands are also a good choice, but not so much if you want to cover a large area.

Thanks for your great input. So I actually purchased this portable godox. Does this still require the Bowen's mount ring? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0132I34K4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Soft-boxes are different than umbrellas. I used basic 60x60cm soft-boxes and they worked fine. It's smaller, which is good for stability and portability, but produces good results for portraiture.

Godox also makes umbrella style octaboxes. Those are a bit easier to pack and transport, but also a bit more fragile and fiddly to adjust. I like em, though. For those, get an umbrella adapter for the speedlight rather than the S-Bracket. It's difficult to install these over the godox s-bracket.

Normal umbrellas work fine with the S-Bracket. They are cheap and easy to use, but spill a lot of light.

Two things to think about. Those stands will be great for a lot of things, but they're light and bendy, which means they're useless in ANY wind, and they're not going to like any modifiers heavier than those umbrellas. That's not saying DON'T get them - I have two in the trunk because days when they're sufficient, they're perfect.

If I get out a soft box, or have any wind (or break out my 7' translucent umbrella) I'm very glad I've got something heavier. I carry two of these for those moments - https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Stainless-centimeters-Monolight-Photographic/dp/B074NY47J6/

And... make sure you really want umbrellas. To be honest, the difference in actual light quality that comes out of different modifiers of the same size is negligible enough to be ignored. See them side by side and you might know which is an umbrella and which is a softbox... MAYBE... but just see one or the other and all you'll care about is whether there was enough light and the source was big enough. BUT... softboxes have one big advantage - the fact that they're less obnoxious to people standing BEHIND them. If you think you'll throw them up around a dance floor or ceremony ever... it can be nice to direct the light where you want it and not send the rest flying off other directions. A couple of these would be fine - https://www.amazon.com/Godox-Umbrella-Reflector-Carrying-Speedlight/dp/B0132I34K4/

THe kit you've got listed is perfectly adequate! I'm not saying anything's wrong with it and I started with essentially the same, but those are the two things I'm most glad I've added going forward - heavier stands and softboxes!

Ok how's 3 tiers?

First tier is very basic. Any kit like this should do the trick. You would most likely put one light on either side while your product is on a table, then have the 3rd light pointed at a wall behind the table.


A step up from that would be a basic set of speedlights like this paired with one of these or an umbrella (two if you're feeling ambitious one on each side, then snag another flash for a BG light) Flashes are better vs continuous lighting from the first link as they allow you more control and let you modify the light easier (with softboxes and other various things, this would allow you to get softer light, harsher light, more focused light, etc etc) You can also bounce them off a white ceiling at higher power which would act like a big softbox overhead.

Top tier for someone starting out would be a set of alien bees Paired with a couple of softboxes and a background light. They take up more space and I wouldn't recommend them if you're just getting your feet wet. (mine are set up all the time and I shoot stuff like this and this with them. )

>flash: try a godox tt685 ($110)

On a $200 total budget, I'd actually say a $65 TT600 is a better option, which will let you get a decent air-cushioned lightstand, or two flashes for the price of the TT685. :)

I would highly recommend the TT685 over the TT600, though, if you think you want to use the flash for both on and off-camera flash, since TTL is very useful for event run'n'gun.

>trigger... x1t ($45)

But $60 X2T or $70 XPro would be much much nicer. Again, another reason the TT600 might not be a bad place to start.

>lightstand: just get some cheap amazon one ($15)

No, I'd say look for a $40 cheap one that's air-cushioned. Slammed lights down on my fingers too many times with the super-cheapies. :)

>try try an umbrella soft box thing ($26)

Those slit-through the bottom octas don't tilt much at all. You want one that attaches to a speedring. It'll be more expensive ($45). So, actually, starting with a convertible umbrella ($20-25) might be a better first choice.

>speedlight holder thing that holds an umbrella]

Or, instead of an umbrella swivel, get an S-type bracket ($20) which can be used to hold the speedlight closer to the center of an umbrella, as well as attach Bowen S speedringed modifiers bayonet to the face of it.

A compact umbrella swivel, though can be a lot smaller in your lighting bag. The issue is whether the modifier you want to use works with one. The S-Bracket is more general purpose that way.

Not the other guy, but for $200 or just over, you can get really good images.

What you need:

• flash: try a godox tt685 ($110)
  
  
• trigger... x1t ($45)
  
  
• lightstand: just get some cheap amazon one ($15)
  
  
• try an umbrella soft box thing ($26)
  
  
• speedlight holder thing that holds an umbrella](https://www.amazon.com/Anwenk-Speedlite-Umbrella-Reflector-Holder/dp/B072JRNNTG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=2C3FCKUUBCFAW&keywords=umbrella+flash+bracket&qid=1556913624&s=gateway&sprefix=umbrella+flash+&sr=8-2) ($10 - $15)
  
  
• something white to bounce light, like a sheet of poster board or just use a white wall. To fill in shadows.
  
  
• optional: a second flash for a hair light (anything cheap that has optical slave mode will do) + second light stand + flash holder bracket etc. Or just prop it up on a shelf.

This modifier is for strobes. Strobes have the bulb extended out beyond the main unit which throws light in all directions. Speedlights only throw light where they are pointing. The reason speedlight modifiers are pointed backwards is so the reflective surface scatters the light and sends it back the opposite direction towards the diffuser. Pick up something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0132I34K4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qtKuyb46KD16T