The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa

The best lighting for photography in our portrait studio Oshawa is one of the most important aspects of our photography. The type of lighting you use can make or break an image. In this blog post, I will discuss the different types of photography lighting and how to use them properly. We will also talk about exposure and how to use a light meter to get the perfect exposure for your images.

The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Types of Photography Lighting

There are three different types of photography lighting: artificial and natural light. Each of these types of lighting have advantages and disadvantages. I prefer artificial lighting for our portrait studio Oshawa. I find this source of light the most consistent and as such produce the best images possible.

The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Artificial Photography Lighting

Strobe lighting and continuous lighting is the 2 type of artificial lighting used in photography. Strobe lighting is essentially a light source that syncs to a camera with a transmitter and flashes when triggered. Continuous lighting essentially can be any source light that stays on when turned on.

The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Strobe Lighting

A Strobe light is a powerful light source that can be used to create high-quality images. It is consistent and gives me the most creative power therefore that is why I love it. The strobe lighting I use in my portrait studio Oshawa is an Einstein strobe light with either a 64″ or 86″ umbrella

When you take a picture using a strobe light, the flash goes off very quickly. This is why it’s sometimes called a ‘flash’. It is so quick that your eye can’t see it and it appears as if the subject of your photo has suddenly become frozen in time. The strobe light works by freezing all the action in the image.

The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Strobe Equipment

Strobe lighting is a great option for photography strobe because it produces very bright light and can be used to create harsh or soft light depending on the effect you are going for. Additionally, it is relatively cool compared to other sources of light. The only drawbacks to using flash are that it is harder to control the temperature and directionality of the light, so you may need a diffuser.  Diffusers, reflectors and lights stands are all equipment you will need to purchase along with your strobe of choice.

The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Photography Strobe Diffusers

There are three main types of strobe lighting diffusers: the soft box, the beauty dish, and the umbrella. The soft box is a large rectangular box covered in cloth that creates a softer light than other options. The beauty dish is a metal dish with a parabolic reflector that creates a more focused light. The umbrella is an open-faced metal cone that scatters the light in all directions.

Studio lighting can be enhanced using different types of diffusers to control the spread and intensity of the strobe lights. By using a diffuser, you can soften the light or create a more focused beam. The soft box is the most common form of diffuser used in portrait photography, while beauty dishes are often seen in fashion shoots. Umbrellas are a less common but very versatile option that can be used to create soft light or harsh light depending on the effect you’re going for.

The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Continuous Lighting

Continuous lights are a good option for studio lighting beginners because they are easy to use and produce soft light. Continuous lighting is a type of artificial light that stays on when turned on. It comes in a variety of forms, including fluorescent bulbs, LED lights, and tungsten bulbs. Continuous lighting is a good option for studio photography because it is easy to use and produces soft light. However, it does have some drawbacks. For one, they can be quite hot, so it is important to be careful when working with them. Additionally, they tend to generate a fair bit of heat, which can cause your models to sweat and ruin your shots.

The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Types of Natural Light

Natural light is the most unpredictable type of lighting, but it can also produce some of the best images. There are three types of natural light: direct sunlight, and indirect sunlight.

I personally love indirect sunlight and specifically pick my locations to reflect indirect sunlight.  My top 3 family photography locations in Durham Region can be found on another blog post.

Direct sunlight is the most common type of natural light and can be found outdoors on a sunny day. It is very bright and creates harsh shadows. Indirect sunlight is less bright than direct sunlight and is found outdoors when the sun is hidden behind clouds or in the shade. Indirect sunlight creates soft shadows and is great for outdoor portraits. For direct sunlight many photographers use a diffuser to soften the sunlight of use reflectors to fill the shadows.

The Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Diffusers and Reflectors

A diffuser is simply something that spreads the light out over a wider area. This is useful for softening the light and preventing harsh shadows. A reflector can be used to bounce light back onto your subject, which can help to add some extra brightness or colour.

The first thing you need to know about diffusers and reflectors is that they come in different sizes. You don’t have to buy the biggest one available; instead, look for something that will work well with your camera setup. For example, if you’re using a DSLR then an umbrella will be fine; if you’re using a point-and-shoot then you might want something smaller.

The second thing to know about diffusers and reflectors is that they can be used for different purposes. For example, some photographers use them to control the contrast in their photos while others use them as part of an overall lighting setup.

Best Lighting for Photography | Portrait Studio Oshawa | Lighting Conclusion

Lighting can make or break a photo, so choosing the right one is important. The key to good lighting is understanding how each type of light works and knowing when to use it in your photography. Whether you’re using natural light or studio lighting, knowing how to use diffusers is essential for creating the right effect. So experiment with different types of light and diffusers to find what works best for you!