Friday, November 8, 2013

Make Studio Lights

Complete lighting kits are available from most photography stores.


Studio lights are lights used by photographers in a studio. Most photographers use two or three lights; however, a single photo studio light can provide sufficient lighting. Two of the same kind of lights are often used by photographers as both a key light and fill light.


Instructions


1. Buy a 500-watt tungsten or daylight bulb from a photography supply store. You can buy a stronger or weaker bulb, but 500 watts should be plenty for most studios. The bulb should come with a housing. The cost will vary by manufacturer. Make sure the housing has ports on the bottom so that it can be connected to a stand.


2. You'll need to buy an adjustable stand for the bulb. Make sure the stand extends to meet the height requirements of the photographer. The stand also should be secure with a wide base so it does not fall over easily. Try to find a stand with an extending arm that swivels; this will allow more flexibility when shooting.


3. Consider buying a light box or reflector umbrella. A light box goes over the bulb, and the light from the bulb is diffused through a thin white material, softening the light. A reflector umbrella connects to the bulb housing and reflects the light from the bulb. Neither of these items is necessary and the choice between them is one of preference. Cost is also negligible. Make sure to buy a light box that is compatible with different-model lights or one that has an adjustable base.


4. Connect the light bulb housing to the stand. The stand will come with the appropriate connectors, usually a nut/screw and bolt. The bottom of the housing should have the appropriate holes for connectors to come through. Most stands and housing are made to be compatible with a number of models.


5. Attach the light box or the reflector. Both cannot be attached at the same time. Each component will have a unique way of connecting based on the manufacturer. Reflectors look like an umbrella and will have a rod that extends from the middle and is normally inserted into the housing of the bulb. All housings should have a place for this. The light box is slightly trickier. It will rest on top of the bulb housing. Adjust the base of the box so that it connects with the housing of the bulb; again this will vary depending on the model. Make sure the housing is not touching the fabric of the light box; this can cause a fire.


6. Plug in the light and test it out.

Tags: Make sure, bulb housing, light reflector, come with, compatible with