How to Set Up Photo Studio Lighting
The word photography means writing with light, therefore each photo represents a certain manipulation of light envisioned by the photographer. As such, there is no exact science to setting up studio lighting, as it depends on the desired photo effect. However, there are basic principles that apply to nearly all studio shots: the presence of a backdrop, background and key lights, and diffusion tools. Once you set up, alter them as your shot requires.
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Things You'll Need
- Background stand
- Backdrop
- Two background lights
- Key light
- Softbox or umbrella
- Light screen
Instructions
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Set up the background using background stands and a backdrop. You can purchase or make your own stands from PVC piping or wood, or virtually any other material that can be manipulated to securely hold up a backdrop. The backdrop must be seamless; it must be long enough to cover the background and drape down and cover the foreground. This ensures that the horizon (where the background meets the floor) completely disappears, thus eliminating pesky shadows.
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Place a subject place holder on the set. In order to properly set up your lights before you position the model/object, you will have to know where it will be located. Any object such as a chair or small table can take the place of an object to enable you to set up the lights.
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Position the background lights (on stands) on either side of the object (placeholder). The background lights are crucial for negating shadows caused by the subject and key lights. Each background light should be level (exactly to the side) of the subject. Angle the lights inward and down toward the background so that the two beams cross when they hit. This will ensure that the the background will light evenly. Make sure that the background lights are not in the camera's view range.
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Set up the key light(s). The key light is the main source of light used to illuminate the subject; it can either be a steady light (continual stream) or a strobe light (flash). The key light also must be on a stand positioned slightly higher than the model and pointed at a slight downward angle. Place the light either to the front-right or front-left of the subject.
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Attach soft boxes or umbrellas to the key light. The purpose of a soft box or umbrella is to diffuse the light around the model, avoiding harsh lighting that could cause white-out or shadows (such as a nose shadow). Diffusing the light allows for a soft natural light to fill the space evenly.
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Hold or position a diffusion screen on the opposite side of the key light. If needed, position a light screen set on a stand or have an assistant hold the light screen angled toward the subject on the left if the key light is on the right, for example. This will further diffuse the light.
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Play with the setup and test with the natural lights around you. There is no science to setting up lights in a studio. It depends on the photographer, the vision for the photo and the natural light (if any) around the setup. Experiment with various numbers of lights (such as two key lights), flash bulbs and angles until your vision materializes. Photography is an art, after all.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit alone young model in the photo studio image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
