From simple to complicated setups, if it involves the techniques and equipment necessary to artificially light objects or people within the studio environment, it is generally considered to be studio lighting.
61
votes
1answer
5k views
In portrait photography, what is 'broad' lighting? What is 'short' lighting?
What are 'broad' and 'short' lighting when it comes to studio portraiture, and when should I use each?
45
votes
4answers
27k views
What is Rembrandt lighting, and when do I use It?
I often hear studio photographers talk about 'Rembrandt Lighting' when they're setting up lights and doing studio portrait photography. What is Rembrandt Lighting, and when do I use it?
23
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the best techniques for making great photographs of LEGO creations?
There are better and worse photos of LEGO creations out there. What techniques give better photos? It seems hard to photograph LEGO blocks because they are shiny.
19
votes
3answers
6k views
What is butterfly lighting, and when do I use it?
I often hear the term 'Butterfly Lighting' used when discussing high-fashion and glamor photography. How do I set up Butterfly Lighting, and when do I use it?
14
votes
2answers
4k views
What is a kicker?
In lighting, what is a kicker and when should I use it? (And is it any different from hair light?)
13
votes
5answers
564 views
What are the pros and cons of using an optical trigger for external lighting?
I have been reading up on the different kinds of lighting kits out there. I read about using optical triggers for external lighting kits. This would allow me to use my on-camera flash (or a mounted ...
13
votes
2answers
3k views
What is “feathering” a light?
When I read instructions about lighting setups, I often see reference to to "feathering" this or that light.
I have some ideas what that means: for example, I imagine taking a flashlight and ...
13
votes
1answer
4k views
What is split portrait lighting?
Ok, so I got interested enough in the other lighting setups, what is split portrait lighting and when is it appropriate to use?
12
votes
1answer
5k views
What are standard lighting setups for 2-3 people?
What are some standard lighting setups for two or three people in a group? I just can't think of non-complicated setups that would apply some previously discussed (short, broad, butterfly, split, ...
11
votes
3answers
701 views
Why do hotshoe flashes use fresnel lens, but studio strobes do not?
I notice that hotshoe flashes (e.g. Nikon SB-800) typically have a Fresnel lens system to focus the light, but studio strobes (e.g. Photogenic Powerlight 1250) do not. What's up with that?
10
votes
2answers
1k views
What is a cyclo wall?
I've read photographers write about using a cyclo wall instead of a seamless background. What is a cyclo wall?
10
votes
1answer
2k views
What lighting effects do the various surfaces of a 5-way reflector produce?
I have a '5 Way Reflector' that I want to use in my photography, which includes the following 5 options:
Gold reflective
Silver reflective
Gold/silver alternating pattern reflective
White
...
10
votes
4answers
182 views
Having difficulty lighting various reflective product packaging- use dulling spray?
Beginning photographer, first post- I'm trying to merchandize and shoot a product composition with a lot of beef jerky packages. The crinkly reflective packaging is proving really difficult to light. ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
What lighting equipment do I need for a high contrast portrait photo?
I am an amateur photographer, and I have little to no experience in shooting studio photos. There is one subject in particular that interests me more than others in that area - high contrast portrait ...
9
votes
1answer
363 views
What are the difference between using a pack and head system versus monolights?
Among mains-powered lighting systems, you can either get a kit with a central power pack, and attached heads, or monolights, each with its own power supply.
What are the advantages and disadvantages ...
9
votes
4answers
3k views
What software can I use for 3D lighting simulation?
I've got a shot in mind that's going to require precise lighting (sources & angles).
I'd like to do a lighting simulation. I want place objects & light sources in some sort of 3D virtual ...
8
votes
2answers
199 views
Does this RGB-patterned reflector have benefits for digital photography?
B2Pro has announced a parabolic umbrella reflector for photographic lighting. The surface of the umbrella is printed with a hexagonal array of red, green, and blue spots:
The manufacturer makes the ...
8
votes
1answer
262 views
8
votes
1answer
401 views
How do I compare these two lighting systems?
I'm looking into getting a light system.
I have been reviewing the light packages on the Elinchrom website, and mostly looking at the D-Lite 4 vs the Quadra Ranger. Besides the price, I would like
...
8
votes
4answers
393 views
To take my portrait photography to the next level, should I get a second flashgun or a monolight?
I am a hobbyist and using a Canon 600D with 50mm f/1.8 and 18-135mm lenses.
I bought 430EX-II flashgun, and it works great as off-camera flash with the 600D's built in transmitter. I also have a ...
7
votes
5answers
4k views
What's the technical difference between artificial and natural light?
Comments like this one got me wondering...
Assuming two light sources of equal size and relative intensity (let's say as an example monolights and the sun) and assuming that you're shooting raw to ...
7
votes
3answers
3k views
What is clamshell lighting, and when should it be used?
I've heard of Clamshell Lighting. What is it, and when should it be used?
7
votes
1answer
964 views
High-Key Image Processing
I just came across a great photographer on Facebook and I was literally stunned when I looked over his albums. He had some portraiture work that I would call as "Freaking Awesome"! Here's the gallery:
...
7
votes
1answer
367 views
How can I light someone to make him look evil or Machiavellian?
What would be the best way to use light to make someone's face look evil, creepy or Machiavellian?
7
votes
2answers
518 views
What does UV coating do for a flash tube?
For studio portrait lighting, is it better to have a UV coated flashtube, or a clear flashtube, and why? Does it make a difference what ambient light there is?
6
votes
5answers
4k views
What should I consider when choosing continuous lighting vs. strobes for studio photography?
If one were to want to get started with studio photography (I'm thinking things like portraits, headshots, perhaps pets, etc) what would be the considerations in choosing whether to go with continuous ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I get a pure white background in studio photography?
I am a natural light photographer that is venturing into studio/backdrop portraits at the request of some of my clients.
I have a portable studio for my needs with a white muslin backdrop.
I am ...
6
votes
5answers
601 views
How do you light the background for chroma key work?
How do you use flashes to achieve an even, well-lit background when photographing a subject against a green or blue chromakey background? One flash, two? What position? What about light modifiers, ...
6
votes
3answers
266 views
Home Studio Exercises/Studies?
I have a basic home studio setup now, and I want to get better at using it. So far I've just been shooting away at the dog, and a couple stuffed animals.
I really don't have any feel for lighting ...
6
votes
4answers
796 views
How do you set the power for a flash in manual mode?
How do you calculate the flash power fraction, assuming you want to keep constant the other variables of ISO, aperture, and distance from subject to flash?
The Guide Number formula for a flash ...
6
votes
1answer
368 views
What is the difference between active and passive fill light?
What is the difference between an active and a passive fill light? I have an assignment that states to "use active or passive fill light" in a picture, but I need some clarification to understand what ...
5
votes
5answers
344 views
How can I shoot in a studio at the widest apertures?
I ran into a limitation while shooting a newborn baby this weekend. I was indoors next to a set of windows. I was also using an off camera flash on a stand through an umbrella. The flash was a Canon ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I decide what strobe wattage to get?
There are a couple of strobe packages on Ebay that I'm looking at. We have a budget, but don't want to have buyers remorse either.
The question is between getting three 250W strobes or three 180W ...
5
votes
2answers
267 views
Flash gun or some other light source?
I'm looking for some piece of advice from more advanced fellow photographers with regards to the artificial 'daylight' sources.
I'd like to be able to some pictures of kids at home. Unfortunately the ...
4
votes
3answers
430 views
How would I setup a portrait of a boxer like these?
A friend of mine has asked me to do some promo shots for a boxer he knows.
It's not usually my style, but I have been researching types of shots and wondered how to go about getting these types of ...
4
votes
2answers
161 views
Advices for a good studio lighting photography book?
I'm new to studio photography. I have at home a little studio to shoot macros and portraits. I'm equipped with strobes and a macro ring flash. I'm now looking for a beginner/intermediate studio ...
4
votes
5answers
173 views
How can I set up studio lighting when I'm constrained by low ceilings?
I want to open my own portrait studio and of course money is tight considering I still need to buy light equipment.
Now, I am trying to use what is available to me and I can't afford to rent a ...
4
votes
2answers
490 views
How do I achieve glossy/reflective, textured skin lighting effect?
Below is the example of a photograph that I found that has the studio lighting effect or the quality of light that I'm talking about, and I wonder how it is achieved
As you can see in this shot, ...
4
votes
2answers
632 views
What is the impact of light-tent size?
In choosing a light-tent for product photography, I noticed the cost difference between various sizes is only a few dollars, so I started considering a larger tent than I presently need. The question ...
4
votes
3answers
866 views
What equipment should I use for a studio photoshoot (24-70 f2.8 and Nikon D90)?
I just bought a 24-70 f2.8 which i will be using with D90 (normally it is not for D90 but i am planning to buy a D3 So i bought it in advance). And next week i have a studio photo shoot(this is my ...
4
votes
3answers
276 views
What type of lighting would provide slightly more contrast than a softbox for product photography?
I am a self-trained amateur and shoot product photography for my clothing company. My typical set-up is 2 500-watt continuous softboxes, lighting a product from above with each light just to the left ...
4
votes
1answer
91 views
What is the prop setting on studio flashes?
I'm looking into some studio strobes and I came across the Impact Two Monolight Kit, and for the model lamp switch, those lights have "Full", "Off", and "Prop". What does "Prop" mean/do? I can't seem ...
4
votes
1answer
740 views
How much distance between subject and backdrop?
When photographing a subject in front of a backdrop, how much distance should there be between the two?
Just wondering if there is standard rule (I've heard some say at least 6ft) or if it's ...
3
votes
2answers
138 views
How do i set studio flash power for a film camera without TTL/OTF metering
I have just bougnt an old fully manual medium format camera to play with, nothing serious.
anyway on the lens there is a flash attachment point, which got me thinking:
How do i decide on flash and ...
3
votes
1answer
340 views
Can I shoot sports photography in the studio with continuous lights?
I want to try to shoot some sports action, for example shattering bricks and wood. My lighting equipment is not so advanced and needs 0.8 sec to recharge for the next flash, so I can't use high fps. ...
3
votes
2answers
178 views
What's the expected misfire rate with studio strobes?
I was hoping to get some idea about what the misfire rate for studio strobe lighting is. Meaning how often on average do your studio strobes not fire when you take a picture? My Elinchrom Style BX-500 ...
3
votes
1answer
332 views
How can I cheaply set up a small studio and learn how to use it?
Recently I've been thinking a lot about how I can increase the production value of my photos and films. I've come to the conclusion that I need to learn how to set up a small studio and how to use ...
3
votes
4answers
625 views
How can I get good results from a one-light portrait setup?
Is there an optimum one light setup in terms of lighting the subject, providing fill (i.e through reflectors) and possibly lighting the background as well?
If you are armed with only one light, how ...
3
votes
2answers
249 views
Basic lighting setup for clothing photography
My wife is setting up a store to sell clothes online. Is there a basic DIY solution for lighting. I have a small light box for smaller items but I need something to photograph dresses on a manikin. Is ...
3
votes
1answer
59 views
Need advice on purchasing flashes for use with a light tent
I am looking to purchase three flashes for use with a light tent and am unsure of which I should purchase. I found the following on Amazon, both of which look really good and have great reviews, but ...
