Digital Camera World » studio lighting

Headshots: how to shoot passport photos social media profiles and other informal portraits

crutter — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:01:28 +0000

In this ultimate guide to taking headshots, we explain how to shoot passport photos, profile pictures for social media and dating sites, and other types of informal portrait photography.

First impressions count, and the headshot that accompanies an online profile can be as important as the words. A blurred shot taken on a night out won’t create the right impression for many sites, so we’re going to show you how you can produce headshots for a variety of uses.

Taking control of the lighting is the key to taking really effective portraits. This control also enables you to produce shots in a similar style time after time. We’ll demonstrate how to use a basic flashgun plus some simple accessories.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of taking headshots, we’ll use backgrounds and a second flash to give your headshots extra impact. Finally we’ll run through how to shoot passport photos that can be used for many types of documentation.

Remember that you should use a pose and style of lighting that suits the type of site, medium and purpose that the portrait photograph is going to be used for.

How to set up your home studio to shoot headshots

You don’t need all this kit to shoot the most basic headshots, but with it you have more versatility

01 Radio trigger
A radio trigger is the most convenient and reliable way to fire your flashgun off-camera. It gives you complete freedom to move around without having to worry about the length of cables.

02 Softbox
A softbox is an easy way to soften the light from your flashgun without losing too much light. Even with the softbox attached, you need to position the flash as close as possible to the subject.

03 Reflector
A silver or white reflector is useful for lightening the shadows on your subject. Position one on the opposite side of the subject to the flash. If necessary you can get the subject to hold one under their face.

04 Background
A coloured wall is perfectly okay as a background, but you can also use card or cloth for brighter-coloured backgrounds. Stick these to the wall or use a tripod or lighting stand to hold them in place.

05 Seat
Your subject will probably be more comfortable sitting down than standing up. When seated they are also much less likely to change position, making it easier to get consistent lighting.

06 Tripod or stand
Most radio triggers have a socket underneath to allow you to attach an off-camera flash to a standard tripod. If you are using an umbrella attachment bracket you’ll need to use a lighting stand.

07 Get close
When firing a flash directly at the subject, the light gets softer the closer the flash is to the subject and harsher the further it is away from them. For the most flattering results, position the flash as close as possible to the model.

PAGE 1: How to set up your home studio to shoot headshots
PAGE 2: How to set up your flash to shoot headshots
PAGE 3: Shooting headshots with a one flash setup
PAGE 4: Shooting headshots with two flashguns
PAGE 5: How to shoot passport photos
PAGE 6: Capturing informal looks for social media profile pictures

Photography Lighting: using flash to cope with challenging conditions

jmeyer — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:01:58 +0000

In the final post in our Shoot Like A Pro series on photography lighting, we explain simple techniques for using flash to take control of your lighting environment.

Shot with on-camera flash

Unlike other lights, where you can see the effect of the position of any modifiers such as diffusers or reflectors, you can’t see the results with flash until you take a shot.

Flash doesn’t have to be scary, particularly if you are now familiar with how the direction of natural light affects your shots.

The quality of the light from most flashguns will be a little harsher than the light from your average reading lamp, so you still need to do some test shots with your own kit, but the basic principles of the quality and direction of light are the same, no matter what type of light source you use.

Shot with off-camera flash

Using a flash fired directly at the subject as the main light source is almost guaranteed to put you off using flash for life.

Used like this the flash works as a tiny point of light producing harsh, unflattering, high-contrast light.

You need to soften this light by making it appear to be much larger to the subject to make it more photogenic.

PAGE 1: Why you might want to use flash
PAGE 2: Soften the light from your flash
PAGE 3: How to use flash triggers
PAGE 4: Your remote flash options (infographic)

Bessel WP6 400Ws review: can you really take studio-grade lighting anywhere?

jmeyer — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:00:50 +0000

In our Bessel WP6 400Ws review we test whether this new portable flash system can deliver the results you need and give you quality studio lighting anywhere you choose to shoot.

The Bessel WP6 portable lighting system has a 4500mAh Li-ion battery that can churn out up to 400 flashes per charge, while maintaining fast sub-2-second recycle times at full power.

At 3.5kg it’s light enough to sling over your shoulder on its carry strap, and it also comes with a hard case, a full-size flash head stand and a handle for mobile use.

It features a powerful 400Ws flash head complete with 35W modelling lamp and spill kill.

For outdoor use the modelling lamp isn’t really up to the job, but the flash itself has enough poke to overpower all but the brightest direct sunlight.

As it’s a budget kit, you don’t get a second output socket for splitting power over two heads, so if you want to create a key and fill light set-up, you’ll need to fork out for another kit.

Although Bessel’s offering can’t match the polished build quality of some prestige brands, it packs quite a punch for a very reasonable price.

Buy it: www.bessel.co.uk
Price: £399

Score: 5/5

Best flash diffuser: 6 top models tested and rated

jmeyer — Wed, 01 May 2013 23:01:24 +0000

For softer, more natural-looking light, you need to add a diffuser to your flashgun. We test 6 of the top models available to help you find the best flash diffuser worth your money

Flash diffusers are great for ensuring more natural lighting in photos. They remove the harsh white light from direct flash by spreading out and softening light from flashguns.

However, there are dozens of models available, each offering unique features. Which is the best flash diffuser for your needs?

We tested six of the best flash diffusers available using a still-life setup, shot in front of a neutral wall using a tripod-mounted DSLR.

The rigid camera position and single light source didn’t eradicate shadows but was ideal for showing how each product diffused and/or bounced the light.

The flash was operated manually and its output was adjusted for each shot, to measure the degree of light loss each diffuser added.

A series of portraits was also shot to assess the practicality of each model, and to gauge the positives and negatives of different diffuser types.

Best Flash Diffuser: 01 LumiQuest Softbox III

Price: £44, $36
Buy it: www.lumiquest.com
LumiQuest’s Softbox III is up against some stiff competition in the diffusers field, considering that the well-made Lastolite EzyBox is available for a similar price (see opposite).

By comparison, the LumiQuest’s simple four-panel construction forms well, although the method of adhering it to a flashgun with Velcro doesn’t feel sturdy enough. It also means you need to have Velcro on your flash head even when you’re not using the diffuser.

But that’s not to say that the Softbox III doesn’t work. Far from it. It’s a decent enough performer for diffusing directional light, and the collapsible structure makes it portable, too.

Shadows are softened and it’s great for outdoor fill-flash work. It’s just that there are better products out there.

Our verdict
Pros… Delivers softbox-style light diffusion, and is easy to carry around.
Cons… Provides less diffused light than similar competitors, and isn’t sturdy.

Score
2/5

Best Flash Diffuser: 01 LumiQuest Softbox III
Best Flash Diffuser: 02 Honl eight-inch Speed Snoot
 Best Flash Diffuser: 03 Gary Fong Lightsphere
Best Flash Diffuser: 04 Rogue FlashBender Reflector
Best Flash Diffuser: 05 Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce
Best Flash Diffuser: 06 Lastolite EzyBox Speed-Lite
Five things you need to look out for when buying a flash diffuser

6 simple lighting setups for shooting portraits at home (plus free cheat sheet)

jmeyer — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:34 +0000

If you’re looking to take your photography further you’ll probably want to learn how to use off-camera flash. In this tutorial we show you 6 simple studio light setups that will help you capture some of the classic portrait lighting effects.

What’s more, these lighting techniques will provide you with a solid foundation from which you can start experimenting to find your own style.

In our lighting setups cheat sheet below you’ll learn how to use high contrast light at a 90-degree angle; diffused light and a reflector; high contrast light at 45 degrees; high contrast light at 45 degrees with a reflector; low contrast light at 45 degrees with a reflector; and finally rim lighting from behind.

Lighting Setup 1: High contrast light at a 90-degree angle

A striking result achieved with minimal kit. Using a single flash head at this angle can give an unflattering result, though.

The light will show up bumpy skin textures and create stark shadows and bright highlights.

Without a diffuser, the quality of light will be high contrast and if placed near the subject will create problems with fall-off where light is spread unevenly across the face.

By not using a reflector, shadows will be deep.

PAGE 1: Lighting Setup 1- High contrast light at a 90-degree angle
PAGE 2: Lighting Setup 2 – Diffused light and a reflector
PAGE 3: Lighting Setup 3 – High contrast light at 45 degree
PAGE 4: Lighting Setup 4 – High contrast light at 45 degrees with a reflector
PAGE 5: Lighting Setup 5 – Low contrast light at 45 degrees with a reflector
PAGE 6: Lighting Setup 6 – Rim lighting from behind
PAGE 7: Download all 6 lighting setups in our free cheat sheet

3 advanced studio lighting techniques every portrait photographer should try

jmeyer — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:47:28 +0000

Want to give your portrait photography a nice blend of subtle and atmospheric effects? These advanced studio lighting techniques using simple two-head lighting set-ups will give you incredible versatility as a portrait photographer.

Use this key to identify the items used in our cheat sheet at the bottom of this page.

If you want to give your portraits more of a professional look or simply expand your repertoire as a portrait photographer, you’ll want to start experimenting with studio lighting techniques.

Chances are you’ve dabbled with flash or tried a simple lighting set-up at home, but if you want to really start taking control of your lighting and drawing out the character of your subject, you’ll want to broaden your horizons a bit.

Below we’ve suggested three straightforward studio lighting techniques using two-head lighting set-ups you can use to fine tune your light.

We’ve also compiled these advanced studio lighting techniques as a photography cheat sheet, which you can either drag and drop to your desktop or click on directly to view in higher resolution.

Advanced Studio Lighting Technique No. 1: Add a hair light to lift your subject

Most studio lighting set-ups only emphsasise one facet of your subject’s face. By adding an additional light to the rear of the set, you can start to create a more three-dimensional effect.

The hair light should be positioned carefully behind your sitter to one side, but not so it shines directly into the lens. Meter this light separately with all others switched off, so that it’s half a stop dimmer than your main light.

Use a snoot to create a small but direct patch of light that picks up the texture of the hair.

Advanced Studio Lighting Technique No. 2: The Tri-flector technique

A real innovation in lighting gadgets is the tri-flector. Three mini reflectors are designed into a single unit, which is placed on a low stand underneath your subject.

Each of the panels can move independently to remove shadows from the right, left and underneath, leaving a stark but glamorous result.

Add a single light slightly above the model’s eye level pointing down and you’ll achieve a flawless result every time. Add a hair light behind to emphasise the shape of your sitter.

Advanced Studio Lighting Technique No. 3: Light the background

Most backgrounds serve a secondary purpose and are rarely included in lighting techniques, yet this set-up can give real depth. Assemble your lighting as above, with a second light behind your model out of shot.

Place this low to the ground and fix a snoot or honeycomb to force the light in one direction.

Point the light at the background with the centre of the light exactly behind the centre of your subject’s face.

Meter independently so it’s one stop over your main light reading.

Download our Advanced Studio Lighting Techniques Cheat Sheet

DIY Photography Hacks: simple studio lights at Ikea prices!

jmeyer — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:02:24 +0000

You don’t need to spend a fortune on studio lights. It’s possible to shoot professional-looking portraits using a common household lamp like the kind you’d buy at Ikea. In this latest DIY Photography Hacks post we’ll show you how a simple, single lamp can create a range of dramatic effects in your portrait photography.

How to use your DIY studio lights

Don’t want to cough up for studio lights for your indoor portraits? You don’t always need expensive studio lighting to shoot professional-looking portraits. In fact, you can take striking shots at home with just a regular household angle-poise lamp.

Place your model in front of a piece of light-absorbing black velvet to create a rich black background. Note that you don’t need a support stand – we suspended ours from a bookcase!

Make sure your subject is sitting comfortably, then place your lamp slightly above and to the right of their head. Other positions can be used to create different lighting effects, but this set-up will give you a flattering, classic result.

Keep your shutter speed relatively fast (we shot at 1/160 sec at f/2.8, ISO500). It’s always best to use a tripod to eliminate camera shake and get the sharpest shots you can.

We used an 80-200mm f/2.8 lens set to 145mm, because this longer focal length created a more flattering portrait.

The halogen bulb can confuse your camera’s auto white balance setting, so switch it to manual to ensure you get a clean skin tone.

Remember not to position your lamp too close to the portrait sitter – it’ll be harsh and directional. This can be a good creative device, but it’s rarely flattering.

Take some test shots and then, when you’re happy with your exposure and general set-up, start shooting. Make sure you build up a rapport with your subject before experimenting with different poses and expressions.

PAGE 1: How to use your DIY studio lights
PAGE 2: Experiment with a single light source the DIY photography way
PAGE 3: Try using a candle

Studio lighting setups made easy: a simple arrangement for maximum results

jmeyer — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:53:45 +0000

Learn how to take more alluring portraits using the minimum number of studio lights. This quick guide will show you how to set up your portrait lighting piece by piece to achieve a timeless, classic look.

It’s surprising how many of the great modern famous photographers, such as Mario Testino, and the best photographers from earlier eras, such as the master of Hollywood glamour, George Hurrell, used just a couple of studio lights to achieve some of their most iconic images.

Although some amateur photographers are concerned about using studio flash kits, the great advantage is that it gives you complete control – unlike daylight, which can change at just the moment you thought you had it right!

If you’ve never used studio lights before, it’s best to work with a model who you know will be patient with you. This will enable you to experiment and discover exactly what each studio light does – as just a small movement in the position of each one can completely change the ambience of your picture.

Always return to your camera position after changing the light, to see what the change looks like from there. Try different types of light, such as umbrellas, soft boxes, dishes and snoots.

The great advantage when shooting digitally that photographers like Hurrell didn’t have is that you can take a shot after each change to see exactly how the light’s beginning to build up; and if it’s right.

Besides the lights, don’t underestimate the effect a reflector or two can have on the quality of the finished result.

With these you can soften the shadows created by the main light, illuminate areas such as under the chin and nose and, depending on the reflective surface, make the light harsh or soft.

A simple studio lighting setup

The studio photography cheat sheet below illustrates the simple setup we use to shoot the portrait at the top of this page. Simply click on the infographic to see the larger version, or drag and drop it to your desktop.

Setting up your studio lights step-by-step

Now that we’ve shown you a simple setup for your studio lights that works in a wide number of scenarios, our next cheat sheet shows you the effect on the portrait at each stage of the set-up process.

Final tips on…

Lighting
Don’t over light your subject. Start with one flash head and build up the light slowly to achieve the look you want.

Lenses
If you use a short telephoto lens it will give you more space to position your lights and reflectors.

Best studio flash kits? 6 models tested and rated

jmeyer — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:40:57 +0000

Studio flash kits can help you take complete control of your portrait photography. But which are the best studio flash kits available, and which one gives you the most versatile lighting? We test 6 of the best studio flash kits on the market to find out.

There’s no denying the convenience and portability of a flashgun, but for creative lighting effects they often fall short. The small size of the head makes for very harsh lighting and, even if you’re using multiple off-camera flashguns with diffusers, they are no real substitute for studio flash heads.

Coupled with softboxes or brollies, the larger size and greater power of studio flash heads enables far greater control, flexibility and creativity.

The studio flash kits in this group test all come with practically everything you need, which includes two studio flash heads and a pair of lighting stands, so you can position them in varied ways to create the effect you’re after.

Modifiers will generally be either softboxes, which produce a soft, directional light and are ideal for portraiture, or a pair of umbrellas. Some umbrellas have removable or interchangeable covers, so they can be used as white or silver reflective brollies, or as translucent shoot-through ones.

Bowens Gemini 400/400 Twin Head Kit

Price: £540, $900
Buy it: www.bowensdirect.com

Based on two Gemini 400Ws heads, with wide-angle reflectors and umbrellas, this kit delivers plenty of power and flexibility.

Both brollies come with removable covers – silver and white reflective, and translucent shoot-through.

Flash intensity can be controlled through five f-stops, although the step-less adjustment knob is marked with a range of 1-6, and it doesn’t correlate with f-stops.

The auto-dumping facility for when you reduce power can be quite slow.

Flash output power is consistent over a series of test shots, but the controls feel a little basic considering the high price.

The controls are quite utilitarian, and lack the sophistication of some kits in the group

Pros… Sturdy build, powerful flash output and modelling lamps
Cons… Works well, but lacks refinement. Fiddly brolly covers
WE say… Consistent, but power adjustments lack precision

Score: 4/5

PAGE 1: Bowens Gemini 400/400 Twin Head Kit
PAGE 2: Elinchrom D-Lite 4 it Studio To Go
PAGE 3: Interfit EXD200 Home Studio Kit
PAGE 4: Lastolite Lumen8 SV 400w Softbox Kit
PAGE 5: Photo Basics 2-Light Educational Kit
PAGE 6: Proline Apollo 180/180 Twin Head Kit

The still life photographers’ guide to lighting: 4 techniques, 4 different effects

jmeyer — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:29:57 +0000

Still life photographers often tell us that lighting their scenes is the biggest challenge they face. In fact, lighting is one of the most common photography problems in any genre. In this tutorial, Ali Jennings of our testing team singles out 4 foolproof still life photography lighting techniques that you can use anywhere.

Each still life lighting technique shows you how to adequately light some of the most common subjects for still life photographers: flowers, fruit, images for eBay and stock photos. Follow these techniques and you’ll be well ahead of other still life photographers!

The key to successful tabletop studio photography is the lighting, and how you use it to create different effects, without spending a fortune on equipment.

We’ll use a variety of different simple light sources – window light, a pocket torch, and a pair of common-or-garden desk lamps to cut down on the additional kit needed.

But you will also benefit from a few extras – such as some fabric and paper for the backdrops, and a reflector and a light tent for creating a more even lighting for some of our close-up set-ups.

So, find a bit of free time and clear some space, and have a go at our four still life photography ideas in the comfort of your own home. But first, let’s take a look at some….

Essential gear for still life photographers

01 Desk lamp
A small lamp with a flexible head, such as an anglepoise, lets you direct the light, so is ideal choice for small home studio projects. Using two adds foreground and background lighting and boost other lighting on dull days.

02 Black velvet
This fabric has the amazing ability to absorb light, so when lit correctly it looks as though a subject is literally floating in black. Buy a couple of metres at a material shop, but make sure you don’t buy the crushed sort!

03 Torch
Light painting is a quick, easy way to manipulate the light in exactly the way you want. A small powerful torch, such as a Maglite, can directed as needed, and with a focusable beam it gives you creative control.

04 A2 paper
An inexpensive and easy solution for creating backdrops, as well as being cheap and readily available from all art stores. When you make your selection, a paper with a matte and subtly textured finish will help to avoid reflections.

05 Light tent
The advantage to these simple translucent structures is they create even lighting for product photography using nothing but natural light from a window, and cut out reflections. A Hama light tent costs as little as £30/$45.

06 Reflector
Even with diffused light shadows can be a real issue, but with a small reflector these problems can easily be resolved. For still life projects look for one with both silver or white surfaces. This Lastolite Trigrip costs £55/$70.

PAGE 1: Essential gear for still life photographers
PAGE 2: The still life photographer’s guide to lighting flowers
PAGE 3: The still life photographer’s guide to lighting fruit
PAGE 4: The still life photographer’s guide to lighting eBay images
PAGE 5: The still life photographer’s guide to lighting stock photos