Working with studio lights is a good way to learn.
To the uninitiated, a photo studio may be a very intimidating environment. With the different type of studio light, backdrops, reflectors and it can be difficult to know where to position them to achieve the effect you are looking for. Studio lights have a wide range of power settings that when used correctly will create light that is well balanced, or by varying the power of the lights, you can create more dramatic lighting. Understanding studio lighting does take some practice, but with a little bit of trial and error, photographers quickly learn how easy it is to use studio lights and control them for the best possible image.
Instructions
Understanding Studio Lighting
1. Hang your backdrop. Whether you are using a material, paper or even just the bare wall, decide what you backdrop is going to be, then position the stool four to five feet in front of your backdrop. Starting here will give you the basis to build your light setup around where your subject will be.
2. Position your main light at a 45-degree angle on either the right side or left side of the stool. Set the light to full power. If you are using strobes versus constant lights turn on the model light, also at full power
3. Position your fill light (also known as second light) at a 45-degree angle on the opposite side of the stool from your main light. Set the light to half power. And if you are using strobes turn on the model light, at half power. This is a standard 1:2 ratio used in most basic lighting setups. It will create a slight shadow on one side of the models face. It is important that the two lights be an equal distance and angel from the stool. Between 2 feet and 4 feet is a good distance.
4. Position the third light directly above the stool so it will be high enough to illuminate the top of your models head. This is known as a "hair light" and should be set at the same power as your fill light, or even slightly less. Again try to keep distance of the strobe equal to the main and fill lights to ensure equal distribution.
5. Position the reflector in front of the stool and angle it towards the ceiling. This will "bounce" or "reflect" light from the three strobes back up towards your model, creating a nice soft fill under the model's chin. Position the reflector so it is not in the picture. A reflector is made of lighter color material or board that will reflect light back towards your subject.
6. Mount the camera to the tripod, plug in your synchronization cord, turn on the three strobes, meter the camera exposure to match the main light and you are ready to start shooting. Using a camera mounted on a tripod not only reduces camera shake, it also helps in knowing where to position the camera relative to your lighting set up.
Tags: main light, 45-degree angle, back towards, back towards your, fill light