How to Set Up Photo Studio Lighting
Opening your own studio or just working at a photography studio requires the use of lighting to enhance the photo. While lighting has its benefits, such as creating a mood, the wrong setup can do the total opposite for photo. It is very important to set up your photo studio lighting correctly.
Supply List
- Key light(s)
- Umbrella(s)
- Backdrop
- Background stands
- Placeholder
- Background lights
- Choose the location where you plan to setup your studio.
- Situate your backdrop using background stands. You can create your own if necessary, by using wood. PVC pipe works well for constructing an area to place your backdrop on, also. The backdrop must not contain any seems and should run cover the background as well as the foreground.
- Grab a chair, an end stand or similar sized object to represent one of your subjects. Place it on the set where you would have your client pose.
- Situate your background lights first. The lights should be placed on stands, and placed on either side of the object. Position the lights at an angle facing inward and down. The lights should cross one another, resulting in an evenly lit set.
- Place the key light on a stand higher than where the placeholder or actual model will be. Place it in front of the placeholder. The light should be angled downward, and on the right or left side of the subject. Do not forget to attach an umbrella to the key light. You may also include more than one key light.
- Look in the camera and make sure lights are not in the way of the picture. Also, make sure you do not see a flare, shadowing or a whiteout when you look at your placeholder. Move the lights, as you see fit.