Westcott Light
Westcott Light Which of these lighting kits should I choose? I am going to do children, family, senior portraits. I am having a hard time deciding on what lighting kit to buy should I get one of these...
Westcott Light
 Which of these lighting kits should I choose? I am going to do children, family, senior portraits. I am having a hard time deciding on what lighting kit to buy should I get one of these or a softbox and an umbralla? Would this be enough light? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541989-REG/Westcott_231_Strobelite_Plus_Three_Monolight.html http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541990-REG/Westcott_230_Strobelite_Plus_Two_Monolight.html First off, I'm not a fan of the westcott lights. Westcott products are generally good, but seriously over-priced in my opinion (you'll pay a premium more for the name vs. the power output of the strobes). For cheap lights, I'm a fan of Calumet travelites. They are reputable, powerful & functional. That said... I would personally go with the 3-light kit. Once you learn to use all 3 lights, you will get better results. You can use the 3rd light as a background light, or a hair or accent light. If you should come across a family of about 6 or more, you'll be glad you have the extra light for the extra coverage that a 3rd light can provide. Besides, the 200w/s is NOT that powerful -- especially if you plan on using a softbox. Another plus is that, even if you primarily shoot using 2 lights, it's nice to know that you have a back-up light always with you. As far as the softbox & umbrella question, I'm sure many will tell you to use a softbox. I however, will recommend the umbrella if you go with these 200w/s strobes. You will not loose nearly as much light vs. using a softbox. You will want a good amount of light so that you can stop your lens down to decent apertures to assure family members in the back row are in sharp focus. For those that tell you the softbox will yield better results: Any professional will tell you that beautiful results is more dependent on skill than the lighting modifier used -- so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If budget allows & you really want a softbox setup, then I recommend purchasing the 2 light kit, & then picking up a 3rd stronger light. Maybe something around the range of 400w/s to 750w/s. For instance, here's a 375w/s kit (you'd still need to purchase a compatible softbox): http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CE1094/ It's not strong... but it is usable with a softbox & almost twice as bright as the Westcotts. Another route that I would seriously consider is: http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CE1440/ These are (2)-375w/s heads with umbrellas, case, stands, etc. These 2 will produce more power than all 3 Westcotts combined. Should you decide to upgrade equipment later, all you need to do is add a 750w/s head & use it as your main light (vs. most likely needing to buy all new & more powerful lights using the Westcotts). Here's what a 750w/s head runs (FYI): http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CE1105/ This should be more than enough to get you started with children & seniors -- & adequate for typical families & groups up to about 6-8. If you're thinking of lighting families of 12 & up... you'll want all your lights to be 750w/s heads. I guess bottomline is try to get the most light that you can up front, as it will be much costlier in the long run buying all new lights (when you realize that your light's power output is holding you back from more lucrative jobs). Hope this helps! |
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Dr Mel Siff Asks If Exercise Order Is Important
Here is a study which concludes that it does not matter whether one carries
out strength or endurance exercises before or after one another, in direct
contrast with findings by many Russian and US exercise scientists and
athletes. In other words, any athlete who may need to use a balance of
endurance and strength training, it really does not matter if a 30 minute
running session precedes the strength training session.
The conclusions drawn by the authors seem suggest that this finding is
universally true, something that might well be quoted by popular fitness
writers and thus convince the general fitness public and athletes that one
can mix one's exercise methods quite randomly without affecting one's
progress. If I remember correctly, this research team is much the same as
that which concluded that one set training is just as effective as multiple
set training.
In the light of other research that you may have read, would anyone care to
comment on this study (the full article appears on the website below)?
Note that no details of the strength training regime were quoted, in case
anyone wishes to know that information. A major aspect lacking from this type
of research is that the SCOPE and LIMITATIONS were not stated, something that
all new researchers are constantly reminded about.
ARTICLE:
"Regardless of the order of strength and aerobic activities in a session,
exercisers make similar fitness gains with similar exercise effort"
Wayne L. Westcott & Rita La Rosa Loud
South Shore YMCA decided to conduct testing in its small exercise center
where it runs introductory fitness programs for previously inactive
individuals, including seniors and overweight adults. . . Each one-hour
class includes 25 minutes of strength training (12 machines) and 25 minutes
of aerobic activity (treadmill and stationary cycle). Classes consist of six
participants and two instructors, which enables instructors to train about
150 new members every session (four per year). Sessions last 10 weeks, with
fitness and body composition assessments administered during the first and
final weeks of class.
Four separate studies were conducted to determine the effects of prior
endurance exercise on strength development. In each 10-week study, subjects
were randomly assigned to perform strength-training exercises before
endurance exercise (strength-first group) or to perform endurance exercise
before strength training (endurance-first group). Each study compared
strength gains in a major muscle group (quadriceps, pectoralis major,
latissimus dorsi, deltoids) for the strength-first and endurance-first
groups. There was essentially no difference in strength development between
the subjects who did strength training first and those who performed
endurance exercise first.
Because the studies did not reveal any differences due to activity order, the
exercise components can be arranged with respect to personal preferences and
practical considerations.
From: fitnessworld.com/library/strength/strength0599.html
About the Author
Dr Mel Siff
Author of Supertraining
www.drmelsiff.com