3 Steps to Basic Studio Lighting Techniques

There are three basic, essential steps for setting updepending on the circumstances. The background light
studio photography lighting properly. You will alwaysis aimed at the area behind your subject. This light
be certain that you are on the right path to getting ahelps to add separation between the subject and the
successful shot after you have mastered this simplearea behind them. Background lighting can produce
approach. The most basic of these setups includesradically different effects depending on the fixture,
the main lights, a fill light and the background light.location and intensity. You can try changing all of the
We will begin our setup with the main light, which willvariables to see which works the best.
usually be a floodlight. Depending on the effect youAre these three lights needed every time you shoot?
are looking for will depend on this light's final location.Chances are that they probably won't be necessary
Try starting with an angle of around 45 degrees toevery time but it gives you a mental checklist you
the side of your subject and slightly higher. Placementcan use. Depending the final image desired, by
of this light will establish the basic lighting mood forexperimenting and understanding how each of these
your photo. You can then try moving the light aroundlights affects the scene, you can come up with the
until you are satisfied with the results.package the is best suited to your meet those
The next light we will deal with is the fill light. Therequirements.
main light will cast deep shadows so it is necessaryIf you have a digital camera and want to take your
to open these dark areas to reveal some detail.abilities to the next level, check out the Internet for
Shadows appear darker in a photograph than theydigital photography lessons and other photography
do in real life which is the reason for using this light.courses online. You can find excellent programs for
Your subject will appear more natural and not asvery reasonable prices. In these tutorials, you can
harsh. You will want to experiment with the locationfind lots of great landscape photography tips, studio
and intensity of your fill light. You can achievelighting techniques and much more in-depth
dramatically different looks.information.
Finally, a background light may be considered