For most photographers, the question ofhow to create high-quality studio lighting. Since it is often missing from the window, and stationary lamps do not give the desired result. Studio light can be made with your own hands. An important factor here is simplicity and low budget.
Home Photography Studio
Most often this is a huge amount of expensive equipment in a large room. However, if you wish, you can assemble your portable set of studio light by spending a minimum of money on it.
This requires the following equipment:a camera (with a lens), synchronizers, flashes and holders for them, batteries, racks, umbrellas, soft boxes, modifiers, backgrounds and, of course, bags to carry and store the entire tool.
What is the studio light?
The role of lighting in the world of photography is invaluable.With it, you can transfer mood, depth, emotions. The most powerful source in the studio is considered to draw light. Only use it is not worth it, because it turns out too much contrast, and half of the object is in the dark. Correct the situation can be filling light. This will make the shadows smoother, they will not be so conspicuous.
To get a more perfect picture, you need to add a back light. It will give the appearance of the object visually separated from the background. Position it behind the model.
There are also such types of studio light as pulsed and permanent. Consider each one of them.
Pulsed light
Такой источник дает гораздо больше мощности, rather than permanent. Even if you compare them in value, size, other parameters. Why it happens? Because constant illumination, while the shutter is open, all the time in the lens must reflect photons from objects. And pulsed studio light accumulates enough energy in a short time and instantly releases it in large quantities. Which makes it easy to surpass the sun. As for the photo you need a short moment.
If you need a large amount of energy forwork is the best option. The source of pulsed light can illuminate the room as on a sunny, clear day. At the same time it will weigh only 100 grams and fit freely in your hand. It is more convenient to use pulsed light when shooting in nature. Of course, fluorescent tube tubes are not very compact, and it is necessary to protect them from shocks. The power source are ordinary batteries.
Flash lights and pilots emit pulsed light. A synchronizer connects them to the camera. The only drawback is the release of a large amount of heat. The consequence is a huge energy consumption.
Constant light
Mainly sources are LED andhalogen lamps. They do not communicate with the camera, which is very convenient in work. Despite the fact that the pulse, at first glance, surpasses the studio light constant, the latter has its advantages. Using such lighting, the photographer will see what his camera is. There are no restrictions on the use of light modifiers. Since the heat is released a little. Even without making a frame, you can see the result, just moving the light.
Working with him is a pleasure.You do not need to use a flash meter, shoot in manual mode. You just need to switch the settings to obtain the desired result, adjust the ISO of the camera and the aperture. Permanent light is ideal for learning. Like it and models. She will not be disturbed by sharp flashes, it is necessary to get used only to very bright lighting.
Studio light do it yourself
The most common nozzle for lighting devices is a soft box. You can do it yourself. For this you will need:
- cardboard box;
- whatman;
- foil;
- halogen spotlight;
- lining translucent fabric;
- reiki;
- spokes;
- glue;
- scissors;
- wire;
- nuts;
- hairpins;
- clothespins office.
The softbox consists of a frame that canto make from any (square or rectangular) cardboard box. On the one hand, it is necessary to cut off the cover so that it is open. Then we make a reflective layer. To do this, glue the inside of the box with white paper or foil. From the translucent light-colored fabric we will make a screen-diffuser, gluing the open side with it. There is a double-layer case in the soft box: external (black) and internal (metallized reflecting).
On the opposite side of the screen, it is necessary to make a hole for the lighting device, which uses a halogen spotlight. It is fastened with wire.
If you need a large softbox, then itthe frame can be made of wooden slats and wire spokes. It should be noted that the frame on which the screen is mounted must be much larger than for a searchlight. The finished frame is covered with a cover. It can be made whole two-layer. So, it is easier to put on the frame, but it requires a lot of time. Separately, we wrap walls using stationery clothespegs, different in size.
The soft side is attached to the microphone stand or footlamp. It is very important to include it only during the shooting. Since halogen spotlights strongly heat the surface. Homemade studio light ready.
Power and quality of various types of light
For lovers of bright shots with shallowthe sharpness and open aperture are ideal for constant illumination. Although it has little power. For shooting food, still life, food and static objects in general, it is better to use a pulsed light.
As for quality, opinions on this matter are very subjective. However, the constant light is more pleasant and soft.
Work principles
A photographer in a home studio should have everythingnecessary for shooting. This is a camera, a tripod for it, background, lights, reflectors, nozzles. But this is not enough. Another very important to know how to work with the studio light, to put it right.
Key attributes:
- portrait plate;
- reflector;
- umbrella;
- soft box;
- reflectors;
- color filters;
- tube;
- honeycomb.
Using a background reflector will helpevenly illuminate the background. Will give harsh shadows, directed hard light. Portrait plate is placed in front of the object, which is removed. It gives a soft directional (concentrated) light, which is complemented by diffused. To do this, use a softbox and an umbrella. You can install the lamp behind it (on the light) or use it as a reflector due to the white fabric on the inner surface.
Today the most popular nozzle amongphotographers is a softbox. The light is scattered and beautiful. Masters use oktoboxes (large octagonal) and stripbox (long rectangular). It all depends on the size, shape, distance to the object. Oktoboxes are used for group shots, stripboxes are used for portrait shots.
For changing direction and color temperaturelight needed photoreflectors. They are also indispensable for single-source studios. Spot (tube) photographers rarely used, as it is able to illuminate only a small detail.
Using color filters change colorstudio lighting. They are installed on the source, sent to the background and so it turns out the photo in a halo. The skin color does not change. To imitate sunlight, use honeycombs.
Monoblocks, generators are photographers as sources of constant light. Experienced craftsmen choose generators. Though they are more expensive, they are easier to work with.
Synchronization and methods of its implementation
Today in stores you can buy a set of pulsed light. These include:
- rack;
- lamp;
- umbrellas;
- color filters.
The inconvenience is caused by the need for synchronization and connection to the camera. Otherwise, the flash simply will not work.
Synchronization can be done in three ways.
- Transmitter (IR starter).
- Radio synchronizer.
- Syncrocable.
The infrared starter is a small box.Attached to the camera where the flash is usually. It operates according to the following principle: there is a “trap” inside a monoblock that catches pulses, which makes it clear to the flash: “It's time to work.” The disadvantage is that the infrared beam must be visible to the device, like a remote and a TV. Because of the inconvenience, this method is rarely used.
More practical in the use of radio synchronizer. Removes from any place where the signal reached. The principle of operation is the same as that of the transmitter, but it is based on radio waves.
A very uncomfortable way for a photographer is a sync cable. Since the light source and the camera connects the wire, which will constantly be underfoot at the wizard.
Having decided on synchronization, it is necessaryset up a flash. It switches to manual mode. Power decreases. Do the same with the camera. The frame exposure is determined by a histogram or flash meter.
Reviews
Often there are disputes between photographers, whichuse studio light. Reviews are different. It is necessary to experiment. To create high-quality images are often missing several sources. It will be useful to understand each. Only experience and knowledge will help to choose the right studio light for a particular case.
