I got my hands on a new strobe and I was testing it out in a two light studio set up on myself. I really like how this worked out and can’t wait until I can bring it out to the next outdoor event I shoot because I have some ideas. Anyway, this also required me to use my dreaded tripod. Don’t get me wrong, I understand what tripods do for photography and how to use them, I can even understand why other photographers love them, but I dislike using them. I feel like I am fighting the cursed thing the entire time I am using it. But if I want to test out a light on myself, I must bite the bullet and use the tripod.
I went on to test it further, but I am holding those photos back just in case I run out of time this week for other projects I want to share and have something to fall back on.
As previously stated, this was a two-light test. One strobe with a softbox as the key light and a speedlight with no modifier as back light. Use what gear you have to make your photography work, but I can honestly say the sweet spot feels like two lights. Sure, you can do great stuff with 3 lights or even 4 or 5 lights, I’ve done several projects with 3, 4 or 5 lights, but that’s extra time you have to spend setting up those lights. 2 lights still feels quick while still offering various lighting techniques.
But that’s just my 2 cents. Your mileage and organization skills may take you in a different direction.