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Rick Sammon, a professional photographer for over 22 years, has authored 20 photography books and is the host of the Digital Photography Workshop on the DIY Cable/Satellite Network. Rick also writes for several photography and digital magazines. |
| Also By Rick: Inside a Professional's World | Take a Great Shot | Earlier Editions | Learn More About Rick! |
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It's relatively easy to take professional quality portraits right in your own home. All you need is proper lighting. These lighting accessories can be used with either a film camera or a digital camera.
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| Gear |
Benefit |
| Continuous Lighting |
Offers a continuous, non-interrupted light source |
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| Strobe Lighting |
Like a camera flash, it goes off when you want it to |
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| Umbrella or Dome |
Softens the light for a flattering effect |
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| Reflector |
Used to bounce light on to the subject |
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| Light stand with casters |
Easy positioning of light sources around a subject |
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| Background |
Add an artistic touch to your photos |
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| Background stand |
Help support your background |
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| Tripod |
Keep your camera framed on your subject |
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| Flash slave |
Lets you fire a remote flash |
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| Light meter |
Helps you get an accurate exposure |
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| Extra synch cord |
Save the day when a cord goes bad |
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Proper Lighting for Photography
When you take a picture, all you are doing (technically speaking) is recording light on film or on a digital image sensor. Knowing that, you realize the importance of lighting.
Lighting creates the mood in a picture, and can make the difference between a dramatic shot and a dull shot. So as a photographer, you need to pay special attention to how your subject(s) are lit - and how you can control the light for the best picture and effect.
Studio photography tips
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June 2002 |
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Here are some basic tips for studio portraiture, which apply to shooting with "hot light" (continuous light) and strobe light systems:
• Keep your subject interested in the session by talking about interesting stuff.
• Vary the angle of your main light (front, side, etc.) for different lighting effects.
• Use a telephoto lens to make your subject stand out from the background.
• Mount your camera on a tripod and frame your subject. That way, you don't have to squint through the viewfinder for every shot.
• Experiment with different backgrounds: light background, dark background, patterned background and so on.
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For added photo fun with your studio portraits, try using a photo-imaging program to take your subject out of your studio and "on location." After I took this shot of my son against a plain background, I added the beach scene with Adobe Photoshop 7.
Gear I Used For This Picture:
Light source: Medium Photoflex SilverDome Starlite Kit
Camera: Canon EOS D30 digital SLR
Lens: Canon 28-70mm zoom lens @ 70mm
Tripod: Bogen reporter
Light meter: Sekonic Light Meter
Photo Imaging Program:
Adobe Photoshop 7
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Many of my pro friends have professional portrait studios, packed with "tons" of lighting gear. Me? I use my portable "hot light" studio lighting kit to take professional quality pictures, right in the comfort of my den. I took this picture of my niece with one light and a dome that was positioned to her left. A reflector bounced light onto the other side of her face.
Gear I used for this picture:
Light source: Medium Photoflex SilverDome Starlite Kit
Camera: Canon EOS D30 digital SLR
Lens: Canon 28-70mm zoom lens @ 70mm
Tripod: Bogen reporter
Light meter: Sekonic Light Meter
Photo Imaging Program: Adobe Photoshop 7
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