Camera Lighting Equipment

What type of lighting equipment should I get for photographs in my apartment?

I am looking to take really good photographs in my apartment, I dont have a lot of space, but what are some cheap lights or equipment i should get? I am using nikon D80 SLR with 50mm and 18-200mm lenses. Should I just buy 2 standing lights, and put them on each side of the persons face? and then also use flash on camera?

Public Comments

1. on camera flash is the devils work! get a IR trigger, two "manual" flash units, two IR recievers and a good understanding of lighting and portraiture
2. > some cheap ... Get some AC strobes and umbrellas and light stands. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/50050-REG/SP_Systems_SP72_72_AC_Strobe.html http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/81947-REG/SP_Systems_SP72PCT_72_AC_Strobe_PC.html http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/416644-REG/Westcott_4201_Master_Studio_Slave_Strobe.html These will get you pretty far for single person (and even one or two person) pictures. Good luck...
3. sounds like you want to set up a mini portrait studio. you need 3 lights. a key light, a fill light and a hair light. 3 light kits cost anywhere from $150-$2000. what kind of budget do you have and what quality light kit do you want? check out adorama.com they have kits in all price ranges. dont forget to save a few bucks for a muslin or seamless paper backdrop because a wrinkled bedsheet looks like a wrinkled bedsheet even after you iron it.
4. there's two things a photographer should really invest good money on and not scrimp 1. glass (lens) 2. lighting i recommend hensel monolights the integra 500 w/s is enough to provide awesome lighting in a small space like your apartment. its durable of course bec its made in germany and have consistent light temperature which means you don't have to mess with color balance in photoshop a lot. if you have the moolah though, i would recommend the profoto 4d now that is the only lighting you will ever need.