Luna, I have this exact kit as a secondary kit:

900W STUDIO KIT W/BAG

It absolutely will not break the bank as you can see and in all honesty, I've used it on an actual photoshoot with surprisingly great results. If you're looking to get started with strobes, I recommend this setup. The only thing I would invest in is better (more heavy duty) stands. Aside from that, this kit is actually really good.

And this is coming from a guy who uses a $5K Dynalite kit. I would have no problem using the Neewer kit in a pinch and I often use them for other little projects. For the type of shots that you are doing (headshot type stuff) they are more than adequate. The construction of the strobes themselves isn't bomb proof but if you take care of them, they should last you indefinitely.

Just a thought.

Let's see if I can find a couple comparison shots from both my kits.... hold on a sec..

Ok so just a couple rough shots....


First, the $300 kit:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6...006abeaa_b.jpg



And a self portrait shot from my $5k kit:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6...43e2a368_b.jpg

Both shots using 3 strobe heads (two umbrella'd on the backdrop and one softbox on the main subject). Simple simple setup.. not even using any blocking of light or anything. You can see that:
1. Either way you are going to get a softer more even light than you will with "shop" lights and..
2. After a bit of photoshop to even out lighting, color etc., you may as well start off with a minimal investment because quite frankly, you can achieve very similar results.

Thanks for the link! I was just looking at something similar from Cowboy Studios on Amazon, but this kit seems to have more power.
Do you think I should add a boom stand to make one of the strobes a hair light? That is my focus, after all!

Yeah, the shop lights are HARSH! And they've got a cutoff that's like HID headlights... I'm not even pointing them at the models. I've got them bouncing off the walls and ceiling in the salon. I'm pretty sure their temperature is much warmer than natural light.
I've become really aware of light temperature as our new trade show stage has LED lighting and some of our redhead models aren't looking as dramatic as we were expecting them too based on our formulations in the prep room.

Again, I really appreciate you sharing your experience with me!

These are not digital -- my photo buddy and mad scientist Eric shot them with his Yaschica-Mat 124 twin lens reflex. That type camera always adds a few pounds. :icon17:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...71587194_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...78453393_n.jpg

Tell Eric great shots:tup: Im so jelly of your camera equiptment. I really gotta get a Manfrotto, been slacking on that for awhile.

^ Nice hat :-)

:tiphat:

Nice shots, Killerbee.

Thanks. I like that hat too but now I have a ///M one ;)

:tup:

Event photographs TIGI US Creative Team at America's Beauty Show
It's not spectacular photography, but I think it's interesting enough to post here for you to give it a look.

Cinquecento

http://www.modachroma.com/the370z/500headlight.jpg

I like that shot, Mr. Luna.

Here is one my son Colin shot. He HDR'd it. He was a Z guy and now a Volvo guy.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...46718715_n.jpg

Thanks, Mr. onzedge!