Beginner’s guide to using continuous studio lighting kit

For studio shooting, there are two types of lightnings that a photographer can use; strobe lighting and continuous lighting. In case of strobe or flash, the camera automatically turns the light on for exposure and once the exposure is complete, the light is turned off automatically. However, if you use a continuous studio lighting kit, the light source will remain illuminated as per the photographer’s desire. This form of illumination is suitable for amateur photographers, however; a majority of professionals also opt for this. Here is a basic guide to use this kit:

• Artificial light has a different color temperature than the natural light. Even if the human eye cannot detect it, the digital cameras cannot balance it properly and therefore, the pictures taken in artificial lighting have an unrealistic color cast. While shooting inside a studio, always make sure you adjust your camera settings to get the natural look.

• Daylight balanced bulbs are the best continuous lighting source. Therefore, your video lighting kit must have lights that are balanced to 5,000 to 6,000 k, the same as daylight.

• Use fluorescent lights, as they are cooler than the Incandescent Light Bulb. They use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than the conventional ones.

• The continuous light source can be conveniently used with softbox lighting kit, reflectors, barndoors, gels, filters, etc. Use them to get the desired effect.

Continuous lighting may not work in certain cases such as shooting frozen or chilled food such as ice cream, as the heat generated by this form of light may melt them. In such cases, the photographers have no choice other than using the strobe.