How to Set up Indoor Photography Lights
Have the recommended minimum of 3 three lights., To start with, set the key light behind or beside the camera, to the right (subject's left)., Add the fill light., Set up the hair light., Once all the lights are set up, start moving them around...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Have the recommended minimum of 3 three lights.
You will get the best effect, if you do.
Having said that, if you don't, make adjustments, such as your lights and the window, and you can use your wall and ceiling as a reflectors for the light you do have.
The lights are the main light, fill light, and the hair or rim light. -
Step 2: To start with
This is assuming that the key light will be off camera.
If it is on its own, use a tripod.
The main light adds definition and highlight to the subject. , The fill light is a less powerful light that helps fill in some of the shadows without blowing out parts of the photograph.
Set it up directly in front of the subject.
Make sure that:
It is aimed lower than the main light.
It is positioned lower than the main light.
Use less fill light if you want more shadows.
Make sure that it is less powerful than the main light. , The hair light (also called backlighting or rim lighting), separates the background from the subject and helps bring it out.
If you have a light background or want the subject to blend in with the background, don't use it.
You can set up the rim lighting above or below the subject, depending on how you want the effect. , Move them closer and further away from the subject to see which result you get. , Full power, versus 1/4 power, etc. , Try them lower and higher. -
Step 3: set the key light behind or beside the camera
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Step 4: to the right (subject's left).
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Step 5: Add the fill light.
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Step 6: Set up the hair light.
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Step 7: Once all the lights are set up
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Step 8: start moving them around.
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Step 9: Experiment with how much power your flash is using.
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Step 10: As well as changing the distance of the lights
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Step 11: work on the angles.
Detailed Guide
You will get the best effect, if you do.
Having said that, if you don't, make adjustments, such as your lights and the window, and you can use your wall and ceiling as a reflectors for the light you do have.
The lights are the main light, fill light, and the hair or rim light.
This is assuming that the key light will be off camera.
If it is on its own, use a tripod.
The main light adds definition and highlight to the subject. , The fill light is a less powerful light that helps fill in some of the shadows without blowing out parts of the photograph.
Set it up directly in front of the subject.
Make sure that:
It is aimed lower than the main light.
It is positioned lower than the main light.
Use less fill light if you want more shadows.
Make sure that it is less powerful than the main light. , The hair light (also called backlighting or rim lighting), separates the background from the subject and helps bring it out.
If you have a light background or want the subject to blend in with the background, don't use it.
You can set up the rim lighting above or below the subject, depending on how you want the effect. , Move them closer and further away from the subject to see which result you get. , Full power, versus 1/4 power, etc. , Try them lower and higher.
About the Author
Alexander Martinez
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