Hi i just bought a canon T3i ,I’m a beginner and want to start fashion photography.i want to take photos like this http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4235507 and http://photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00I7H6 , what lighting equipment should i use for taking this king of photos?

Google this "low key lighting"

Can anyone suggest a good book to get the basics on lighting techinques/methods? I really enjoy taking indoor pictures and I’m interested in investing in a good system but have no idea where to start. I know there are many books out there but I’m looking for a book that explains the basic in easy to understand language and NOT a manual full of just technical terms. While I know my way around a camera and basic photography, I am at the infant stage of understanding lighting systems. If anyone has any experience with a good book that helped you… please recommended it. Thanks!

The book ‘Light: Science & Magic’ is good for technical details of lighting of various kinds.

Joe McNallys books, although based around Nikon speedlights, are very good for inspiration and he details his lighting setups – The Hotshoe Diaries and Sketching with Light are the two latest.

As for online resources, you can’t go wrong with the Strobist blog;

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

start with the Lighting 101 & 102 archives (drop down boxes, bottom right)

I was at a nighttime event recently where there were different photographers shooting with their flashes, usually pointed at the person.

I saw one guy with his flash that pointed upward to the ceiling (0 degrees), and not at the subjects he was shooting. And it would be a very bright flash – I’m guessing full power.

Just wanted to know what effect he was going for. My guess is that it’s a different lighting/diffusing technique so you don’t get that harsh shadow from shooting the flash directly at them?

Yes, he was bouncing the flash off of the ceiling to avoid the bulletproof flash shadow and the deer in headlights look.

There are like 1000 lighting techniques. I really just want to know the basics and the dos and don’ts.

Remember that I’ll use them in filming and not only photography.

If there was only one best lighting technique there would not be thousands. Starting out: light both the background and the subject, try to get some light behind the subject to separate it from it’s environment and don’t put the light too low or too close to the camera ’s lens axis.

for my musical (thursday is the costume check) one part of the costume is a head piece to partialy cover your hair. here are some examples:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4126855746_aaaa10f3bb.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/diogioscuro/sets/72157622918296234/&usg=__ctlzUTE2402ba0VdgpjK6uAHhuI=&h=500&w=500&sz=164&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=-JdaO24kd6u6IM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=144&ei=tIC3TdGrJYndgQeJ8912&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfiddler%2Bon%2Bthe%2Broof%2Bcostumes%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D574%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=876&vpy=225&dur=877&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=113&ty=188&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00N/00NI1q-39756384.jpg&imgrefurl=http://photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00NHnt&usg=__q5sLw5Q8DVN-5pAjw1J9rvtOcn0=&h=288&w=432&sz=73&hl=en&start=22&zoom=1&tbnid=yGE16UYCwnZ4_M:&tbnh=84&tbnw=126&ei=tIG3Tc65CNHTgQfU_bRt&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfiddler%2Bon%2Bthe%2Broof%2Bcostumes%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1138%26bih%3D555%26output%3Dimages_json%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns0%2C249&itbs=1&biw=1138&bih=555 (and yes i’m pretty sure the second girl is a girl)

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://media.kitsapsun.com/media/img/photos/2009/05/03/20090503-222910-pic-452788088_t607.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/03/local-theater-mazeltov-wwcas-145fiddler-is-a/&usg=__yjswAT-5dlQCHIRaKsdzCuyyt1M=&h=301&w=607&sz=63&hl=en&start=36&zoom=1&tbnid=3QUQ_wTx51ovUM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=159&ei=3YG3TaGBH8zegQehyP14&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfiddler%2Bon%2Bthe%2Broof%2Bcostumes%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1138%26bih%3D555%26tbm%3Disch0%2C849&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=783&vpy=256&dur=144&hovh=158&hovw=319&tx=277&ty=86&page=3&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:36&biw=1138&bih=555

either do you know any where i can buy them? if not do you know how i could make one out of fabric?
(if so, please tell me how…. well i’m not going to make it my mom is)

10 ptz to best answer.

Take a large square handkercheif, and fold it in half into a triangle.

Put the long flat side by your forehead. Tie the two corners underneath your hair.

Presto.

I have a great eye for detail, lighting and composition. I know I could produce professional quality photos if I learn the techniques, and how to choose the right equipment. Is there enough opportunity in the field to make a living, or does it take a lot of luck and/or knowing people that can get you "in"?

Lots of photographers – a majority actually – work for themselves and freelance. So a great deal is down to your own determination, passion and drive! If you love photography, which it sounds like you do, there’s no reason on earth why you shouldn’t make a successful career of it.

Some of the major areas that freelance photographers work in are:

Portrait – working in your own studio.
Wedding/Event – working with couples, businesses etc.
Fine Art – selling prints/books and holding exhibitions

Other photographers work for people on a contract:

Photojournalism – working for newspapers and magazines etc.
Advertizing – working for ad houses shooting products etc.
(These areas tend to require a degree – but not always)

"Does it take a lot of…knowing people" to get into photography? All businesses are about networking so it should just come with the territory. It’ll start happening before you know it. I worked for a couple of years as a photographer after Uni but now only do bits and pieces because I changed direction. But seriously, once a few people know you offer photography services in your local area the phone calls/emails will come pouring in. In my experience – despite the prevalence of digital cameras, demand is v.high! If you’re polite and ask people to recommend you, word of mouth kicks in.

This is an extensive article on how to become a photographer that might help with your research a bit: http://www.photography-art-cafe.com/how-to-become-a-photographer.html

As for learning the techniques etc, here’s an article with tips for taking digital photography to a higher level: http://www.photography-art-cafe.com/tips-for-taking-digital-photography.html

Hope that helps!
BTW you have some cool pictures in your galleries – keep at it!

I was looking up homemade photo lighting techniques and notice all of them still used the flash. If i just set up some work lights would that work? Does using the flash benefit my photos in anyway?

No its not necessary if you have sufficient lighting, but it allows to to be more creative with lighting. Flash allows you to control how much ambient light you allow in the image (via shutter speed), also the softness/ hardness of the shadows and their position via directionality of your lights & any modifiers.

I have a Canon EOS Rebel XSi camera. Does anyone know some good books with tips/ lots of poses and lighting techniques for photographing babies? Thank you very much, any answers would be appreciated

Anne Geddes is an amazing Baby Photographer. She is my inspiration for my Business.

http://www.annegeddes.com/

any book by her i would recommend

i know the basics of a d-slr but i want to find a great and easy to understand site that explains how to achieve special techniques and effects. SITES WITH PICTURES OF THE DESIRED TECHNIQUE OR EFFECT IS A MAJOR BONUS. shutter speed is one that has a lot of effects i would like to learn more about. i have used the shutter speed effect for some great lighting techniques but i know there is more and i would like to learn all i can

also separately i would like to find a site that can give you general photography techniques and guides as well but my main focus is on the slr effects

http://www.dslrtips.com/

Hey recently i have purchased a white screen and stand from ebay:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250568682567&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
i paid extra to upgrade to the Better material and i was wondering how to set up the lighting. currently i have no photography lighting and wouldn’t mind spending at least £30 on some kit for it. also i would like some tips/guide to help me understand the lighting techniques and all that as i wanted Professional photographs. PLEASE COME BACK TO ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN THANKS

Go to your local home improvement store (Home Depot or Lowes in the USA) and buy a couple drop lights and stands (or make the stands). Put some form of diffuser on the front of the lights, like cheese cloth. Also google "DIY Studio Lighting", lots of material.