Setting Up Indoor Photography Lights

Possibly the only thing worse than a poorly lit photograph is one that's out of focus. Proper placement of photography lights is necessary to control contrast, highlights, and shadows in pictures. Lighting can be manipulated to produce a harmonious blend of lights and darks for an interesting, balanced photographic composition. Different lighting effects give photos different moods, ranging from a high-contrast film-noir look to a soft and evenly lit portrait.

Instructions

Install a minimum of three photographic lights for taking properly lit indoor photographs. Mount the lights on tripods for stability. Use the three lights to provide basic foundation lighting. Set up the main illumination source, called the key light, to the left of the subject. Use the key light to create depth and define highlights in a photograph. Use only the key light to brightly light one side of the subject, while casting the other side and background in deep shadows for a dramatic effect.

Position a second light, called a fill light, directly in front of the subject. Point the secondary light source straight at the subject to fill in the shadows and reduce the amount of contrast. Set the fill light further back and aim it lower than the key light. Choose a fill light with up to half the power of the key light. Use less fill light for more prominent shadows. Avoid a fill light as strong as the key light, or you will wash out the shadows and lessen the effect of depth in the photograph.

Place a third light, called a separation light, or hair light, on the right side, or behind the subject or model. Use the separation light to separate and differentiate a dark subject from a darkly shadowed background. Position the hair light above the model and aim it at the top of the model's head to define and outline her hair, while creating highlights. Eliminate the separation light if you use a light-toned backdrop or wish to fade the model into the background.

Move the light fixtures around to control and change the quality of the light. Put lights closer to the subject for softer, more diffuse shadows with ill-defined edges. Back the lights up for harder light with higher contrast between lights and darks, creating shadows with sharply defined edges. Raise and lower the lights on their stands. Observe the effects. Shoot some photos with the lights in different positions. Put the pictures on a computer and compare the different effects.

Vary the angle of the lights in relation to the camera. Use a 45-degree angle for most shots. Increase the angle for higher contrast. Set up a light to bounce light off the wall, ceiling or backdrop onto the subject. Seat your model to the side of any white surface. Point the light at the bounce surface to illuminate the model with soft indirect lighting. Open and close the "barn doors," or flaps, on the light housing to direct the light's focus and prevent spillage onto unwanted areas.

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