GEAR GUIDE

MASTER STUDIO LIGHTING


Beautiful studio lighting is all about how you shape, modify and direct the
light to achieve your visual goals in the studio. There is no one right strobe
or modifier that everyone must have. As with many crafts, the gear is just a
tool. For the chef, the pot or the oven do not determine the quality of the
food-- BUT they can make it easier to produce the desired results. Studio
lighting is no different-- it’s not about which tool you buy or how many tools
you own, but how you use them.
A knowledgeable photographer can produce a beautiful image with a $79
speedlight or a $1500 studio strobe, but they also have an idea of when one
tool may be easier to use than another (and when the price may be worth it).
This is your guide to the various strobes, modifiers, and grip used throughout
the Master Studio Lighting course. It does not explain every single modifier
and option available on the market, but instead gives an overview of some of
the most important tools or equipment that appears throughout this course.
The links provided are for the specific pieces of gear that I actually use in my
studio, but also know that another brand of modifier or strobe may also do
the job just as well. If you have more questions about purchasing decisions,
be sure to check out the video on “Top 10 Questions When Purchasing Studio
Lighting” to get you started on right path.
Fundamentally this guide is broken up into three parts: Strobes, Modifiers,
Grip & Accessories. Throughout the course you can refer back to this guide
to get a closer look at the tools being utilized.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNDER $1,000
Budget Starter Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
UNDER $3,750
Professional Starter Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
STROBES
Studio Strobes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Speedlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
MODIFIERS
Softboxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Umbrellas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Beauty Dishes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Reflectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Grids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Speedlight Modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Strobe/Speedlight Triggers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
GRIP & ACCESSORIES
Bounce Reflectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Backgrounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Tethering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Studios Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Background Stands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Stands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
 UNDER $1,000*

Budget Starter Kits

If you are just starting with studio photography or you have a tighter budget, these are The Paul C. Buff brand of strobes are inexpensive yet have good customer service and
the essential tools to complete your assignments. This list is a strong foundation for your quality, even though not of ‘professional’ grade.
studio gear and I recommend you invest in two strobes if budget permits.

ALIENBEES PAUL C. BUFF PAUL C. BUFF PAUL C. BUFF

Flash Units 64” White PLM Umbrella 5-In-1 Circular Reflector Kit 35” Foldable Octabox

PAUL C. BUFF PAUL C. BUFF PAUL C. BUFF PAUL C. BUFF

PLM White Front Diffusion Fabric 10” x 36” Foldable Stripbox 10’ Air-Cushioned Light Stand CyberSync Trigger Transmitter 2

*Pricing is approximate and subject to change.

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 UNDER $3,750*

Professional Starter Kits

If you want to invest in professional level gear, Profoto is the highest quality in the busi-
ness. Their prices, however, are not inexpensive so I’ve listed the core pieces of gear you’ll
need for this course and a few extra tools to work with. From there you can build your
kit through the course and as you gain more experience.

PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO

D1 Air 500Ws 2-Monolight Studio 3’ RFi Octa Softbox Umbrella Diffuser (Large) Collapsible Reflector - Silver/
Kit White - 33”

PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO ONLY MANNEQUINS

OCF Softbox (1x3’) Deep White Umbrella Air Remote Transceiver 19” Tall Female Mannequin Head
(Large, 51”)

*Pricing is approximate and subject to change.

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 STROBES STROBES

Studio Strobes Speedlights

Studio strobes vary in range from budget to high-end professional level. When selecting
For those of you who already work with speedlights or want a more portable studio solu-
a strobe you’ll be balancing budget, recycle times, wattage, and other features. Here
tion, I’ve listed different speedlights utilized in this course.
are the strobes utilized during this tutorial or some you may want to investigate as you
invest in your kit.

PROFOTO GODOX CANON PHOTTIX

D1 Air 500W/s Monolight AD600Pro Witstro All-In-One Speedlite 600EX II-RT Mitros+ TTL Transceiver Flash
Outdoor Flash

ALIENBEES DIGIBEE YONGNUO PROFOTO

Flash Units Flash Units Speedlite YN600EX-RT II A1 AirTTL-C Studio Light

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 MODIFIERS

Softboxes
Softboxes provide soft, diffused light and are one of the most common tools in
portrait photography.

PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO

3’ RFi Octa Softbox 5’ Rfi Octa Softbox RFi 1.0 x 4.0’ Softbox

PROFOTO PROFOTO
RFi 3.0 x 4.0’ Softbox RFi 4.0 x 6.0’ Softbox

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 MODIFIERS

Umbrellas
Umbrellas are great tools because they are easy to set up, portable, and typically a less
expensive modifier. If used correctly and with diffusion, they can provide extremely soft
light like a softbox.

PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO

Deep White Umbrella Deep Silver Umbrella Shallow White Umbrella Umbrella Diffuser
(Small, 33”) (Medium, 41”) (Small, 33”) (Extra Large)

PROFOTO PROFOTO PHOTTIX

Deep White Umbrella Deep White Umbrella Photo Studio Shoot Through
(Large, 51”) (Extra Large, 65”) Umbrella (White, 33”)

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 MODIFIERS MODIFIERS

Beauty Dishes Reflectors

The light from a beauty dish is soft but also has a bit more contrast or ‘pop’ to it. A white Reflectors create hard, specular light. The depth and shape of the reflector changes the
beauty dish will be softer, while a silver will have more specularity. spread of light.

PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO

Softlight Kit Silver Softlight “Beauty Dish” Zoom Reflector 2 WideZoom Reflector
Reflector for Profoto - 20.5”

MOLA SETTI PROFOTO PROFOTO

28” Beauty Dish Soft Lite Reflector 20-30° Telezoom Reflector 50 Degree Magnum Reflector
(White) for Profoto Flash Heads for Profoto Flash Heads

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 MODIFIERS MODIFIERS

Grids Other
Grids are extremely useful tools for controlling the spread of light. Here I’ve listed the There are many modifiers that don’t necessarily fit into a broad category, but are useful
grids that attach directly to the Profoto D1 and D2 heads, however many grids will fit tools to be familiar with.
into silver reflectors. There are also grids for other modifiers.

PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO PROFOTO

5° Honeycomb Grid for D1 and B1 10° Honeycomb Grid for D1 and Snoot for Profoto Grid and Filter 4-Leaf Barndoor and Grid Holder
B1 Holder for Profoto Zoom Reflector

PROFOTO
20° Honeycomb Grid for D1 and
B1

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 MODIFIERS

Speedlight Modifiers
Typically if there is a studio modifier there will be a speedlight equivalent! This is true of
softboxes, grids, beauty dishes and more.

WESTCOTT WESTCOTT WESTCOTT EXPOIMAGING

Rapid Box - 26” Octa Softbox 43” Apollo Orb with Grid Rapid Box Strip - 10x24” Rogue 3-in-1 Flash Grid with 3-Gel
Starter Kit

PHOTTIX EXPOIMAGING MAGMOD MAGMOD

Luna II Folding Beauty Dish Rogue FlashBender 2 XL Pro MagGrid MagGrip
(White, 24”) Lighting System

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 MODIFIERS MODIFIERS

Speedlight Modifiers STROBE/SPEEDLIGHT TRIGGERS

MAGMOD EXPOIMAGING PROFOTO IMPACT

Creative Gel Set Rogue Gels Universal Lighting Air Remote Transceiver Sync Cord Male Mini (3.5mm)
Filter Kit (Set of 20) to Male PC (16’)

YONGNUO
RF-602C Wireless Flash Trigger
Set

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 GRIP & ACCESSORIES

Bounce Reflectors
These tools allow you to better control your shadows. Different shapes, sizes and materi-
als are available based upon your needs.

LASTOLITE WESTCOTT WESTCOTT

Triflector MKII Frame + Silver 5-in-1 Reflector Disc - 40.5” (1 m) Illuminator Arm Extreme
White Panels

LASTOLITE PROFOTO
TriGrip Reflector, Silver White - Collapsible Reflector - Silver
30” (75cm) White - 33”

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 GRIP & ACCESSORIES

Grip
Grip are the tools and equipment needed for support, mounting, and otherwise making
‘things work together’ in the studio.

BESSEY MANFROTTO MATTHEWS

Steel Spring Clamp 035 Super Clamp without Stud Matthellini Clamp
(Orange, 2.25 x 2”) 2” End Jaw, Silver

MATTHEWS IMPACT
Hollywood Head CA-106 Junior to Baby Pin
Black - 2.5” Adapter

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 GRIP & ACCESSORIES

Backgrounds
Typically you can purchase paper, vinyl, muslin or canvas backgrounds. Paper is great for
light to change gradients and colors. Hand-painted canvas gives a more luxurious look
for portraiture.

SAVAGE SAVAGE SEAMLESS SEAMLESS

Widetone Seamless Background Widetone Seamless Background ‘Couture’ Muslin Backdrops ‘Eleanor’ Muslin Backdrops
Paper (#01 Super White, 107” x 36’) Paper (#20 Black, 107” x 36’) Designed by Lindsay Adler Designed By Emily Soto

SAVAGE SAVAGE GRAVITY BACKDROPS GRAVITY BACKDROPS

Widetone Seamless Background Widetone Seamless Background 1908 warm grey mid size 2177 brown mid size
Paper (#56 Fashion Gray, 107” x 36’) Paper (#27 Thunder Gray, 107” x 36’)

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 GRIP & ACCESSORIES

Tethering
Tethering allows the ability to connect your camera to your computer so that the images
can be imported and displayed on your computer during the shoot.

TETHER TOOLS TETHER TOOLS EIZO COLOREDGE

TetherPro USB 3.0 to Micro-B TetherBlock Arca CS2730 27” 16:9 IPS Monitor with
Right Angle Cable EX3 Calibration Sensor

TETHER TOOLS BENQ

Tether Table Aero SW271 27” 16:9 4K IPS Monitor

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 GRIP & ACCESSORIES

Studio Accessories
Here are some additional tools that a photographer may find useful in helping get the
job done more efficiently or effectively.

SEKONIC SEKONIC IMPACT PHOTOGENIC

LiteMaster Pro L-478D-U Light L-308S-U Flashmate Light Meter Posing Table - 28-48” (71-122 cm) Steel Posing Stool with 4 Leg Tu-
Meter bular Base - 20-25.5” (51-65cm)

X-RITE IMPACT ROSCO

ColorChecker Passport Photo QuikBalance Collapsible 12” Gray Matte Black Cinefoil (24”x 5’)
(Black) Panel

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 GRIP & ACCESSORIES

Studio Accessories

KUPO MATTHEWS ROSCO WESTCOTT

4-in-1 Nesting Apple Box Set Set of Four Apple Boxes Color Effects Filter Kit (12x12”) 6x6’ Scrim Jim Cine Kit

MATTHEWS WESTCOTT SET SHOP PROTAPES

24x36” Flag Fast Flags Scrim Kit - 24x36” V-Flat Pro Gaffer Tape (2”x55 yd) Black

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 GRIP & ACCESSORIES GRIP & ACCESSORIES

Background Stands Stands

IMPACT MANFROTTO IMPACT MATTHEWS

Pro Backdrop Support Kit 032B Auto Pole - Black 2 Pack Air-Cushioned Light Stand Century C+ Stand with Turtle
(12.9’ Width) (Black, 8’) Base and Grip Arm Kit (10.5’)

MANFROTTO MANFROTTO IMPACT AVENGER

035 Super Clamp without Stud 039 U-Hook Cross Bar Holders Steel Roller with Low Base and D600 Mini Boom (Chrome-plated)
for Super Clamp - Pair Braking Wheels (9.5’)

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 GRIP & ACCESSORIES

Stands

FIILEX IMPACT 3”
Back Light Stand (24”) Baby Pin Wall Plate

IMPACT IMPACT
Filled Saddle Sandbag Counter Weight (10lb)
(25lb, Black)

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