With so many types of lights and the infinite number of setup combinations, studio lighting could be the subject of a book. In fact, there are several books dedicated to just that. However, if you want to invest in studio lighting equipment, there are a few important things that every photographer should know. With a good set of base tools, you should be able to adapt to most shooting situations and subjects. Here is a run down on the most common types of studio lighting.

Continuous Lighting
These are the types of lights that you may associate with making a movie. Continuous light refers to light that is constantly on compared to a flash that goes on and off. Though this type of lighting uses a lot more power and creates more heat, it’s a great way to have subtle lighting. Since you can see the way your lights interact before you shoot, you will have a good idea of what the photograph will look like beforehand.

You can choose a simple kit for continuous lighting online for a reasonable price.Most photo stores on the web have a section dedicated to studio lighting equipment, so from there its mostly an issue of what you’re willing to spend. Look for a kit that includes light stands, a reflective umbrella, light fixtures and bulbs. Continuous light can be provided by halogen, fluorescent and tungsten light bulbs. There is no one “better” bulb as your taste and tone will dictate your choice.

Studio Flash
As you may have guessed, this bracket of studio lighting equipment is dedicated to setups that utilize a flash (often seen in fashion shoots). Flash setups are low on power consumption and even lower in terms of heat generation, and are usually the best option when shooting human subjects for extended periods of time. Flashes are available in either moonlights or flash systems moonlights require only syncing to the camera while power-pack based flash systems will have a central power point to which all the flash heads connect.

Like continuous lighting, there are lots of flash kits available to choose from. Make sure they have umbrellas, lighting stands, modeling lamps (let you preview your lighting) and the needed sync cords to ensure your flashes fire at the exact same time. The easiest flash to use are flashes with sensors as they fire with your camera but they are more expensive.

It’s worth noting that combining these two studio lighting methods is one of your strongest options in getting good quality light. This will allow you infinite flexibility in your shooting process and ensure that no matter what subject or style is required, youll be up to the task. With starter kits starting as low as $50, you should be able to get some decent studio lighting equipment at a low initial investment.  And once you get your studio lighting set, then you can try using different types of lenses in the studio like learning how to use a zoom lens or even using a macro lens to get all different kinds of results.

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