Photography Lighting

To every photographer, lighting is everything. Photos essentially capture light that is recorded; to much or too little can have horrendous effects on any scene we wish to capture. Having the right equipment can mean the difference between a work of art and a piece not worth the effort.

Whether you are starting out as just an amateur or a soon to be professional, a few simple steps coupled with the right equipment can do wonders for your craft.

You might think that all the things needed may be a bit out of your price range, but you will be surprised at how many different kits are available that can fit any budget while giving you the tools necessary to make your image picture perfect.

Lighting equipment all depends on the type of photograph you want to take, as there are different styles and methods that produce totally different results for the same scene, though nearly all photographers use some form of photography light reflector.

Let’s assume that you are taking a portrait photo at home for personal use or to put in an album or showcase online. All photography lighting kits should come with at least a minimum of three lights; one to direct light, diffuse light and one for background lighting.

Most kits will come with a variety of equipment to allow for multiple setups but those are the three main types of lighting affects you will need.

Some specific parts of lighting kits that help produce these effects are discussed on the next page.