Great stuff guys! Love how positive this thread has gotten. I've got two shoots this weekend. Should be awesome. Maybe I'll do some video too. Right meow I'm running a 7D with 28-135mm apple aperture, photoshop, pixelmator, Nik plugins, also got a 50mm prime, for video I have Final Cut Pro. I just gotta pick up a light set. I've got a film background so I know I can figure out lighting with a bit of practice.
Originally Posted by ThinWhiteDuke
Most folks strongly recommend strobes, but I've been using 650W Fresnel spots with dimmers (router speed controllers from Harbor Freight) and barn doors. These would work for both stills and video and can often be found on craigs or the bay for cheap. Modern DSLRs like the 7D allow for iso up to 800 or so with great results and a little denoise knocks the hard edge off from the hard lighting of the spots. Using the old adage "hard light/soft lens" I've also been using a Softar II filter. The Softar isn't meant for full body but the Topaz denoise obscures the filter pattern. Then Topaz Detail to enhance local contrast and bring out skin texture. I'm guessing Nik has similar plug ins.
Viva Ms DallasBella!
I've also covered an on camera strobe with a CTO gel so the color plays nice with the tungsten and turned it waaaaay down for a little gentle fill. If you go this way, set the 7D to tungsten instead of auto, the exposure preview will change considerably (or at least it does with the D300 when I chimp the exposure).
Very Important! IF you go with used strobes get a radio slave to trigger them. Older strobes can have very high trigger voltage and fry a modern DSLR if hooked up directly!
Love this stuff and wish I could join you!