Last week, I mentioned the Studio Portraiture course offered by the Studio Arts Department as a great way to learn about portraits and lighting. For this week, I wanted to write about lighting but once I began reading about speedlights, softboxes, reflectors, and strobes... and, then there's this whole discussion of light that belongs in a physics class... plus shadows, filling shadows, avoiding shadows... I started to get overwhelmed. So, I turned to my friend Meaghan Gay, who photographed Cesar Milan when I interviewed him last year for DCist (she was like a Ninja Transformer, pulling out all these lights and stands), and who also opened her studio up to dogs, including my dog Nelson. So, Meaghan has a thing for dogs, but she knows what she's doing and she's good at it, so, at the very last minute, I asked her ALL THE QUESTIONS.
Emerald, part of a story on the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, 2008, Photograph by Meaghan Gay
>>Meaghan used two Profoto Monolights for this image with one one positioned at camera left, facing Emerald at a 45 degree angle, modified with a 2ft x 2ft softbox. The second light is positioned at camera right, aimed at the background. The second light only has a reflector, no softboxes or umbrellas.
Why am I so intimidated by studio lighting set-ups? Is it really that complicated? How many lights are usually involved for a standard portrait session, like you did with the puppehs last year?
Lots of people are intimidated by studio lighting, and it can be a big hurdle for some photographers. There are a few who can tinker, and self-teach, and come out with some beautiful work, but that is not the case for most of us. It was not the case for me, I was frightened by lighting and felt more comfortable learning from experts. So, I went to school and studied studio lighting. It was perfect for me, because after learning the basics of lighting, and safety, I was able to be creative. Classes also exposed me to the idea that there is no one right way to light. Everyone does it differently, and you have to do what works for you.
You ask if it is that complicated, and the answer to that is complicated. Lighting is not rocket science, but there are concepts to learn that can take time and practice. Knowing different lighting styles, ways to achieve different qualities of light, how to expose properly, how to be safe in the studio, and most importantly how to solve problems, is the beginning. Once you have mastered those steps, it will open the door to creativity and doing things the way you want to. The goal is to be your own photographer, with your own idea of what looks good, not just being able to copy someone else.
How many lights are used in a standard portrait session? - Again, this depends on what you looking to achieve. I have seen beautiful portraits made with no light, one light, two lights, or five lights. I believe that there is no right answer in photography. You could ask ten photographers this question, and get ten different answers. The first question I ask when doing a portrait is, what is the look and feel I am going for? Do I want a standard corporate head shot? That could be a three light set up, one main light, one background light and possibly a hair light. Am I looking to make a low key portrait? Perhaps I just use one main light and a bounce card for fill. The number of lights depends on what you are doing.
Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is brown, part of the Flaunt exhibit at Honfleur Gallery in 2009, Photograph by Meaghan Gay
>>This is also a two light set up. The main light is a Profoto Monolight placed to the right of the camera. I wanted soft light, so I used a 3ft x 4ft softbox to light the subject and the kitchen. The light in the oven is a Nikon SB800 speedlight, covered in a green gel.
What would be an ideal set-up for someone setting up a studio?
This depends on what you are shooting and your budget. You can spend tens of thousands of dollars, or much, much less. I recommending exposing yourself to all different types of gear, and see what you like. It doesn't make sense to invest money in a product you are not familiar with, only to learn you wish you had bought two small softboxes instead of one giant umbrella. This is where taking a class would be very helpful, so you can try things out and expose yourself to different options. What works for another photographer may not be the best for you. I love speedlights, because they are easy to carry and inexpensive. I also love Profoto packs, and huge softboxes, but I use them for different purposes. Try and think of this as the same way you think of the rest of your gear. You work with certain camera bodies, lenses, or even film types because you like them and they give you the look you want. It is the same for lighting gear, there is no one size fits all answer. You have to buy what works for you.
Why use strobes? Why not just set up continuous lights?
There are many reasons, but the biggest is that strobes give out more power per flash than continuous lights, or hot lights, can emit. The power of each strobe varies per kit, and is measure in watt seconds. Without getting too technical, you have a lot more power to play with if you are using strobes. Plus, hot lights are just that, hot.
Thanks, Meaghan!!
-Angela
