Continuous lighting can be hard to use, but with some practice it can become second nature.
Continuous lighting has become more and more popular among photographers as the popularity of digital photography has risen. It allows the photographer to light a subject without the use of the camera's own flash or the addition of a flash gun. Continuous lighting can be a useful piece of equipment when used correctly and can enhance the final outcome of your image. By following a few simple steps, you will soon be using continuous lighting with confidence.
Instructions
Use Continuous Lighting
1. Set your lights up on stands. Stands can be very useful when working with continuous lighting. Their main purpose is to hold the lights and any attachments in a fixed position so you can light your subject with a steady stream of light. They will allow you to fix a number of different attachments to them which can help you adjust the way your subject is lit. The lights should be easy to attach to the stands by a simple screw mechanism.
2. Check the power supply. If you are shooting on location, or away from a main electricity supply, you will probably be using a portable power supply. Before you begin your shoot, check that the power supply is fully charged and switched on. These power supplies can run out of power quite quickly, so it is vital that you charge them fully before leaving so that they don't run out of power during your shoot.
3. Take your first photo. Once you have set up your lights, it is time to take your first photo. This will act as a test shot so you can then see what, if any, attachments you will want to add or use to improve your image.
4. Add any attachments that you want. By using a boom, you can add a number of different attachments to your lights depending on what you want to change about your image. You could use a diffuser to contain the light and control the angle where it meets your subject; or, if the light is too strong, you might add an umbrella to soften the light by bouncing it off the umbrella. You might also decide to use a snoot to turn your light source into a smaller light source and tighten the cone of light that is cast.
5. Experiment with different bulbs. Different bulbs give off different types of light and can have a big effect on the outcome of your image. Bulbs are relatively inexpensive and can be found in any good hardware store. You can use tungsten, HMI, fluorescent or colored bulbs to change the look of your image.
6. Practice until you are confident. A good idea would be to practice on a friend or family member to improve your confidence. Continuous lighting can be daunting to use as there is a lot of equipment that comes with it; however, it is something that can become second nature if you take the time to practice and familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of continuous lighting.
Tags: your image, power supply, your lights, your subject, become second
