Which lighting for the photo studio

Which lighting for the photo studio. The positioning and the quality of lighting for a photographic studio are fundamental, in the same way, the moment of planning is crucial. The main questions concern which lamps to use, how to position them, whether it is better to rely on LED technology or take fluorescent lamps. Here then are some basic suggestions to better prepare the lighting set for a photographic studio.

Lamps for the photo studio

Continuous or non-continuous lighting? Questions regarding the lighting of a photographic studio never seem to end. Regarding lamps for photographic studios, however, we must first ask ourselves whether the subject to be photographed is inanimate or animated. In the first case, in fact, the continuous lighting will be fine, while the non-continuous strobe will be better for the animated ones.

Continuous lighting, in fact, offers long shutter speeds and large openings and if the subject is animated it can give rise to blurred images. On the contrary, the use of stroboscopic lamps, perhaps with flash that offers very powerful and instantaneous light, allows to use short times and avoids the "moved" effect. If the goal then is to take portraits, the photographic studio lamps to be preferred are the stroboscopic ones.

How to light a photo set

The lighting of a photographic set changes depending on whether it is external or internal. The main objective of the photographer, in any case, is to achieve the required brightness, trying to eliminate any other source of light that is foreign to his work.

In the case of an internal study, therefore, the first thing to do is to eliminate natural light, because what is interesting is the artificial one as it is controllable. The second step will be to have a backdrop that can be white or black depending on the needs. Then the background light, the side reflectors, a diffuser in front of the subject to be photographed and a flashing light towards the bottom will be needed. All with the aim of erasing any shadow.

In the case in which instead of the photographic set is outdoors, the natural lighting (sun) must be directed on the subject, next to the photographer. An outdoor lamp will therefore be needed, placed in an orthogonal direction with respect to solar lighting.

Light in photography

Light is the main component in photography. You can have objectives, equipment of any kind, but if you don't choose the right light, all the work (and the expense) will be lost.

The first step consists in the evaluation of the natural or artificial light intensity of the environment to be photographed. Depending on whether the environment is overexposed or underexposed, the combination of ISO-time and diaphragm must be evaluated.

The second step will concern the quality of light; that is to say, if you are in the presence of hard, cold or softer light. The former in fact creates strong contrasts, the latter is much more nuanced and suffused. Depending on the lens that you want to achieve, a diffuser can be used to have softer light.

In the third step evaluation of the color of the light will be made; yes, even light has a color, just think of the variety that occurs during the day. Depending on the color or temperature of the light, the white balance of the camera will depend.

Fourth and final step: the evaluation of the direction of light. That is from what angle the subject will be taken up again.