Most new photographers often wonder if all studio lighting will work for them in the same way. The easiest response is yes, each piece of equipment will do what it was designed to do with the adjustments that are natural to its function. However, the different types have different ways they are going to be used. This includes the following lighting types:
Main Power Self Contained
Main Power Separates
Battery Powered
Mono Light
The cheapest is the monolights or main powered separates. Sometimes called Pack & Head lights, this is a battery-powered solution that will have a pack that rests on the floor. From it, you can put as many flash heads into the device as needed to deliver the right image quality for your project.
Let’s go over what these terms mean, both types can be searched for at amazon.com or other suppliers as well:
Main powered monolights are the most popular with people just starting out, probably because they’re much less expensive than the other choices. These will contain all of the “works” within the flash head itself. Just plug it in, and off you go! The new photographer could do far worse than to get several of these when they are starting out since they are so versatile.
Main powered separates also called Pack & Head lights have several advantages over monolights, not the least of these being that they are far more powerful, however are also more expensive. All of the controls are set on the pack itself, which is always much easier and more convenient than when they are on the head, and will offer more choices for set up.
Battery powered pack & head lights are useful because they can be used for location shoots where there is no power available, including outdoor use where high power (not available from hotshoe flashes) is needed to overwhelm the daylight and create different effects. If coupled with rechargeable batteries, then they become a wonderful “Pack and go” solution.
You might be relieved to find out that there are packages on the market which are ideal for beginning photographers. You would just need to do your research so that you can find a package ideal for beginning photographers setting up a studio. Some of my favorite suppliers are amazon.com, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ and http://www.adorama.com/ although there are many excellent suppliers out there. I list the three here simply because I have personally purchased from them with good results.
You don’t have to get discouraged when you see the expensive lighting packages out on the market, for there are some really great ones available for reasonable prices.