How to Get Good Lighting When Taking a Picture

Rooms with large windows and doors allow for the most natural light to enter and evenly illuminate the scene.

Photography is all about light. In Greek, the word photography means writing with light, therefore it is up to the photographer to work with the surroundings and manipulate it and the camera in order to create great photographs. The best lighting tool for a photographer is natural daylight, as synthetic light creates an entirely different effect on the objects being photographed. If unnatural light is necessary, there are tricks a photographer can do to make it behave the way daylight would.

Things You'll Need

• Light diffusers
• Bouncing screen/boards
• Flash diffuser
• Tripod
• Studio lights
• Backdrop

Instructions

1. Set up in a location with the most natural light as possible. Natural light is the photographer's best friend. In studio photography, natural light is recreated by using daylight full spectrum bulbs and light diffusers; therefore it is the hue of natural sunlight that most photographers aim to capture. If shooting outside, set up in a place receiving indirect sunlight. If setting up indoors, choose a room with the largest windows or doors.

2. Carry a tripod with you. A tripod is an essential tool in low light situations. In order for the camera to collect as much natural light as possible it must be set to a slow shutter speed and wide aperture. To prevent blur due to the slow shutter speed, a tripod is crucial for steadying the camera. If you are in a situation without a tripod, steady the camera on any flat surface or steady your arm and body against a wall to try and reduce as much shake as possible.

3. Position diffusion and bouncing screens for still model or object photography. Whether indoors or outdoors, any harsh direct lighting should be diffused by either an umbrella for indoor photography or a screen made out of white cloth, paper or parchment paper for outdoor photography. A diffusion screen or umbrella breaks up the light and reflects it equally on the subject whereas a harsh beam of sunlight creates shadows and white out. Have an assistant hold a screeb up or build a standing screen stand.

4. Invest in proper studio lighting. If you are shooting in an indoor studio setting, you must have proper lighting, screens and backdrops available. Proper does not imply expensive professional brand items, but rather items, even homemade, that fulfill the same purpose. All studio setups need a backdrop or background wall, two background lights, at least one key or principle light, a key light diffuser and at least one bouncing screen on the side of the setup.

5. Attach a flash diffuser to your camera when shooting with flash. Flash lighting is sometimes necessary during field or event shooting when you can't take and set up your light stands and umbrellas. To avoid the harsh amateur wash-out of direct flash bulb on your subjects, attach a flash diffuser directly to your camera's built-in flash or flash attachment to diffuse or spread out the light to create more natural looking shots.

References

• PhotoNet: Studio Photography
• Pro Photography 101: Tips