Studio Lighting Equipment – What You Need To Know

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1 September 2010

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With so many types of lights and the infinite number of setup combinations, studio lighting could be the subject of a book. And in fact, there are several books dedicated to this specific topic. However, if you want to invest in studio lighting equipment, there are a few important things that every photographer should know. With a good set of base tools, you should be able to adapt to most shooting 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 type of lighting uses a lot more power and creates more heat, it’s a great way to have subtle lighting. Since you will be able to see your lights interacting before you shoot, youll have a much better idea of what the photograph is going to look like.

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 its mostly an issue of what you’re willing to spend. Look for a kit that includes light stands, a reflective umbrella, light fixtures and bulbs. 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 type of studio lighting equipment is dedicated to setups that utilize a flash like those used in fashion shoots. Flash setups are low on power consumption and even lower in terms of heat generation, and are usually the best option when shooting human subjects for extended periods of time. You can get flashes in either moonlights or flash systems. Moonlights require only syncing to the camera while power-pack flash systems will have a central power point to which the flash heads connect.

Like continuous lighting, there are lots of flash kits available to choose from. Make sure they have umbrellas, lighting stands, modeling lamps (let you preview your lighting) and the needed sync cords to ensure your flashes fire at the exact same time. Flashes with sensors that will fire with your camera flash are the easiest to use, but may run a little deeper into your pocket.

It’s worth noting that combining these two studio lighting methods is one of your strongest options in getting good quality light. This will allow you infinite flexibility in your shooting process and ensure that no matter what subject or style is required, youll be up to the task. With starter kits starting as low as $50, you should be able to get some decent studio lighting equipment at a low initial investment. And once you get your studio lighting set, then you can try using different types of lenses in the studio like learning how to use a zoom lens or even using a macro lens to get all different kinds of results.