Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Use Studio Lights

If you plan on setting up your own photography studio, one of the key elements to think about is lighting. Lighting can make the difference between an amateur photo and one that looks professional. There are several factors to consider when choosing lighting, such as the type, placement and brightness.


Instructions


Use Studio Lights


1. Decide which type of lighting you want to use. Two possibilities are strobe lights and continuous lights. Strobe lighting is preferable in most cases.








2. Choose the proper bulb carefully if you are using continuous lighting. The wrong kind of bulb can cause the subject to look yellowish. Choose a bulb that produces white or slightly blue light.


3. Choose lights that are bright enough to illuminate your subject fully.


4. Set up your backdrop and place your subject at least three feet away from the backdrop.








5. Position one light three feet in front of the subject and to the right at a 45 degree angle. The light should be raised level with the top of the subject.


6. Position another light to the left of the subject about four feet back, also at a 45 degree angle. The light should be raised about a foot above the subject and angled down.


7. Set your camera to f11 for the aperture and 100 for the shutter speed as a starting point. Take a test snap and make necessary adjustments as needed for your camera.


8. Remove one of the lights for more dramatic lighting on your subject.


9. Move the lights around to achieve different lighting effects. Experiment until you achieve the look you desire.

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