Studio Lighting Equipment

When delving into the subject of studio lighting equipment, you will discover there are many varieties of lights available. You will also discover there are many setup combinations for using those lights in a photography studio. This may seem daunting to the beginner, and while there are photography books that deal specifically with studio lighting equipment, it all boils down to a few basics. If you are considering investing in studio lighting equipment, let’s discuss the most common types of studio lighting equipment to get you on your way:

Continuous Lighting for the Studio

Continuous lighting simply means the lighting equipment remains on throughout the photo shoot, as opposed to the on and off lighting of a flash. Continuous lighting allows the photographer to see how lighting affects the subject so adjustments can be made. This allows for more control of the finished photograph and will give you an image that's perfect for displaying in a large picture frame. Continuous lighting does generate heat and will add to your energy bill, but it is a great option for subtly controlling lighting for your photograph.

Simple continuous lighting kits are priced fairly reasonably. Check online as photo stores on the web handle studio lighting equipment and will have a selection to choose from. The basic components you should look for are light stands, reflective umbrellas, light fixtures and bulbs. Types of continuous light bulbs available include fluorescent, halogen or tungsten. Which type you use depends on your own personal preference. The only other decision you need to make is how much you are willing to spend.

Flash Lighting for the Studio

Obviously, this section deals with studio lighting equipment that functions utilizing a flash. Contrary to continuous lighting, flash lighting doesn’t use as much power and doesn’t generate as much heat. This is important to think about when you photograph living subjects for extended periods. You don’t want your human subjects wilting in the heat or being uncomfortable during the shoot, which could be reflected in the final photograph. Flash lighting is available two ways – moonlights or flash systems. Moonlights sync to your camera and power packed flash systems have a central power point connecting all the flash heads.

As with continuous lighting equipment, there are many ready-made flash kits available for purchase. The basic components any kit needs to have are lighting stands, umbrellas, modeling lamps so you can preview your lighting and the sync cords necessary so all your flashes fire at the right time. A more expensive option, but easiest to use, is a flash with sensors that fires at the same time your camera flash fires.

If you are investing money into studio lighting equipment, keep in mind that your best option is a combination of continuous lighting and flash lighting. You can find good studio lighting equipment in basic starting kits for as low as $50 so you should be able to find studio lighting equipment to suit your needs at a price you can afford. Having both types of lighting at your fingertips gives you unlimited flexibility to control your lighting and to make the most of your photo shoot no matter what the subject or style required. By having the right type of studio lighting you'll get more professional looking images and will end up with pictures you'll be proud to display in wood picture frames on your wall.