Studio Lighting Primer
With so many types of lights and the infinite number of setup combinations, studio lighting is a huge topic and there are many books dedicated to this specific topic. If you interested in investing in some studio lighting equipment, there are a few basic things that every photographer should know. With a good set of basic lighting tools, you should be able to shoot in most types of situations and subjects. Here is a run down on the most common types of studio lighting.
Continuous Lighting
These are the sorts of lights you may associate with movie production. Continuous light refers to light that is constantly on compared to a flash that goes on and off. Though this method can generate quite a bit of heat and definitely uses more power, it is a great way to work subtle lighting situations. Since you can see the way your lights interact before you shoot, you will have a good idea of what the photograph will look like beforehand.
You can pick up a simple kit for continuous lighting online for a pretty reasonable price.Most photo stores on the web have a section dedicated to studio lighting equipment, so from there it’s mostly an issue of what you’re willing to spend. Look for a flash kit that has light stands, light fixtures, bulbs and a reflective umbrella. Continuous light can be provided by halogen, fluorescent and tungsten light bulbs. There is no one “better” bulb as your taste and tone will dictate your choice.
Studio Flash
As you may have guessed, this bracket of studio lighting equipment is dedicated to setups that utilize a flash (often seen in fashion shoots). With flash setups requiring low amounts of power and generating even less heat, they are usually the best option when shooting human subjects for extended periods of time. Flashes are available in either moonlights or flash systems – moonlights require only syncing to the camera while power-pack based flash systems will have a central power point to which all the flash heads connect.
Like continuous lighting, there are lots of flash kits available to choose from. Be sure they have lighting stands, umbrellas, modeling lamps (these allow you to preview your lighting) and the sync cords required to ensure your flashes fire at the right time. The easiest flash to use are flashes with sensors as they fire with your camera but they are more expensive.
It’s worth noting that combining these two studio lighting methods is one of your strongest options. This will help you have lots of flexibility in your shooting so you will be up to the task no matter what comes your way. With basic kits starting as low as $50, you should be able to get some pretty decent studio lighting equipment setup with a low initial investment.
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