Studio Lighting for Beginners: Simply Explained
Guess what? You don't need to be a tech wizard to snap some amazing photos! Every time you look up studio lighting guides, you end up wading through these super technical articles/videos. They're packed with info (totally important stuff, no doubt!), but they don't always make the process of taking cool photos any easier. Well, if you're on the hunt for a studio lighting guide that feels like a chat with a fellow photographer, you've hit the jackpot!
Now, if you're brand new to photography (like, 'What's an aperture?' level new), this might be a bit of a stretch. But for those of you who've played around with a camera before, whether you're just starting out or have been at it for a while, this small guide is going to be a real treat.
Lighting Basic Rules
There are a couple of super simple rules about studio lighting. Get these down, and you're going to have a blast with your photos. Ready?
Size Matters: the smaller is the light source relative to the model, the harsher is the light. The bigger is the lighting source relative to the model - the softer is the light.
Distance Matters: the closer the light source is to your model, the softer the light will be. The farther away the light source is from your model, the harsher the light will be
Just by understanding these easy concepts, you're well on your way to rocking that studio light like a pro.
How to Recreate Those Awesome Shots You Love
Ever stumbled upon some jaw-dropping photos and wondered, "How on earth can I recreate these?" Don't worry, we've all been there! I am there all the time, haha! The key is learning to analyse these gems. It's a skill that might not develop overnight, but as you dive more into shooting and understanding lighting, you’ll get there!
Tip: it's a silly one, but of course, it's recommended to start with simple references! Start small.
So, what should you look for? Here are a few handy tips:
Shadows: Do the photos have any at all? If yes, notice how dark they are. This tells you if the light is contrasty. Also, check out how sharp the shadow lines are. Sharp lines mean harsh light, while softer lines indicate softer light.
Light Direction: Try to figure out where the light is hitting the model from (again, look at the shadows). Is it one light source or several? Is there any contra light?
Eyes are the Window: If you can, peek into the model's eyes in the photo. Sometimes, you can spot the light source reflected there, which is a huge giveaway about the front light's position and the type of modifier used.
Now, let's put this into practice! I'm going to walk you through recreating a couple of my own shots. To make it easier, I've included lighting diagrams for you. Next time you're in the studio, give it a try!
P.S. Keep in mind, simply copying a setup might not always give you the same results. The way light spreads can vary massively depending on your shooting space. For instance, the same setup can produce different vibes in a small white studio versus a spacious dark one. So, experiment and adjust!
Bounced Light Portrait Setup
Check out these photos! Let's dive into their analysis. Notice how there are barely any shadows? The backdrop is (almost!) a crisp, pure white. Overall, the photos have a very light, airy feel. The few shadows present, like on the right arm (1st photo), are incredibly soft and faint. We also spot some subtle backlighting on both sides of the model's face.
To achieve this bright white background, we'll need one or two flashlights aimed at the backdrop behind the model. For that gentle backlight effect on the model, we need some of the background light to spill over, not just from behind but also from the sides. The simplest way to do this is by placing two white boards (v-flats) on either side of the model (check out the diagram below). These will reflect light from the background, softly illuminating the model.
Bounced light setup diagram
Now, to ensure the model's face isn't in shadow, we have two options. We could either position another two white boards in front of the model or opt for a single large softbox (which I did on the references above). Since we're seeing soft shadows in the photo, a big light source is key. Set it to minimal power to avoid overexposing the face.
And below is a bit of backstage from that shoot with my amazing team.
I hope you found this post helpful and are excited to try out the lighting setup we explored. But hey, this is just the beginning!
Get Inspired Daily: For a constant stream of behind-the-scenes magic and lighting diagrams, make sure to follow my Instagram. I share looots of lighting setups there.
Deep Dive into Lighting Mastery: Ready to work on your studio lighting skills further? My lighting setup guide (it's an e-book) is your golden ticket. I'm sharing with you 10 (+2 bonus) lighting setups with photo references, backstage shots, setup description and camera settings. Basically take it and go to the studio to recreate these shots!
