How to Set Up a Simple Two-Light Photo Studio

Setting up a simple two-light studio is the easiest way to achieve professional photography results. Any space large enough to hold your subject, a background and two lights is a good space in which to start learning about studio photography.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camera
• 2 photographic lights
• 2 photographic umbrellas
• 2 photographic light stands
• Background (seamless paper or cloth)
• Background stand or way to attach background to wall
• Chair and/or props
• Tripod

Set up Background and Props

1. If you are using a background stand, set the background stand up.

2. If you are not using a background stand, attach the background to the wall.

3. Center a chair or stool in front of the background. It is best if it can be 5 to 6 feet in front of the background. If this distance isn't possible, place the chair as far from the background as is practical.

4. Arrange any desired props around the chair.

Set Up the Lights

5. Open the light stands.

6. Make sure the base is stable, and attach the light to the top.

7. Open the umbrellas and slip the mounting rod through the holes in the light or light bracket.

8. Raise the light stands as high as possible.

9. Place each light an equal distance from the chair. Four to 5 feet is often a good starting point.

10. The lights should be angled toward the chair so the light falls equally on the chair.

Placing the Camera and Taking the Picture

11. Place your camera securely on a tripod.

12. If you are using standard incandescent light bulbs, make sure you are using tungsten film or have your digital camera's white balance set to tungsten.

13. Have your subject sit in the chair and take a some test shots to establish the proper exposure.

14. Set the aperture and shutter speed, and start photographing.

Tips & Warnings

• The more distance between the subject and the background, the fewer background defects will appear in the photograph. Using higher-wattage lights will allow faster shutter speeds and offer less risk of motion blur. Silver umbrellas usually reflect more light on the subject than gold or white. Gold umbrellas give your subject a warmer feel. White umbrellas give your subject a colder feel.

[briwachsmann]

on 11/17/2009 I am really trying to figure out why in a dark room I cannot get my lighting to look the way it should. I ordered a studio kit and it came with 3 lights, each being 30W is that even enough? It is still VERY dark in the room when shooting. I cannot get my ISO down enough that it is not grainy. Any advice? What intensity bulbs should I be using?