The phrase is repeated over and over in dozens of publications: “Without light, there is no photo.” Good lighting is critical in photography, but we all agree that some prices can be intimidating. Still, the folks at Fstoppers decided to put the budget aspect under the microscope by preparing a very special demo: a lighting kit that exceeds $10,000, facing a similar solution that barely surpasses $400, photographing the same model.
As happens in many other markets, photography equipment manufacturers do not hesitate to glorify the properties of their products, either to place them a step above their direct competitors, or to justify a scary price. Some photographers swear by a specific brand and refuse to use anything else, while others work with whatever they can. Now, personally, I refuse to believe that a “rich” photographer will inevitably get better images than a “poor” photographer with limited funds, but the Fstoppers portal decided to put that to the test in a very striking way.
The Two Setups
On one side, the first session used four Profoto B1 flashes, which establish an average base of $8,000, plus diffusers, adapters, and a remote control. On the other, three Yongnuo Speedlite YN560 flashes were installed, each with a market value that floats around $50, cheaper diffusers, and even a piece of foam. Both sessions took several test shots, and at the end, the total is $10,764 versus $424.
What the Demo Confirms
The demo is conclusive, but it only confirms two things we've known for a long time. The first is that the photographer makes the photograph. It doesn't matter if the available budget is two or three times larger than the one shown in the video; if the photographer lacks basic training and/or the analytical ability to detect weak points in the image and optimize the environment, the results will be poor. The second is that a photographer does not necessarily make a bad purchase when acquiring expensive gear. Photographers (especially professionals) pay those sums to get comfort, convenience, efficiency, support, and other factors that improve their workflow, reducing the time between technical adjustments, and, of course, earning more money in the long run.
To finish, if you are looking for affordable lighting equipment, you should start here.
