How to Achieve the Right Lighting and Camera Settings
- Nov 28, 2017
- 3 min read
Suitable for Vlogging, Photography and Film.
The composition of lighting and settings, plays a crucial part to the final outcome of your image or film. Starting up into the photo and video sphere, can have you feeling overwhelmed and confused by, the use of equipment. There's no need to worry as with this guide you will learn quick tips and tricks, to achieve the right lighting and settings.
1. Beginner: Standard Photography / Film Set up (SOFT BOXES)
Soft boxes produce a soft wide flood of light. This achieves soft edges and shows shadows and detail on the subject.
This photograph was achieved by using two soft boxes. One on the left set to the power of 4 and, the other on the right side of the subject at a higher rate 6. The composition of the image shows shadows and highlights on the subjects face.
The positioning of the soft boxes must also be considered whilst shooting or filming. For this film to be achieved the soft boxes were set at different levels. One levelled lower to the subject and the other set slightly higher.
2. Advanced: Adding Extra Light Source / Film Set Up (SOFT BOX & BEAUTY DISH)
For an advanced approach adding an extra light source to your setting defines, the subject and keeps the background well-lit, avoiding shadows and resulting in a crisp clear image/film.
The soft boxes remain either side of the subject and the third light is raised above the and away from the subject. The quality of the image is achieved through setting the flash heads at different rates.
For filming/vlogging purposes this may vary. You may want a crisp white background without any shadows or extra light on your subject. To prevent this you have the option of adding in blackboards. This stops light spilling onto the subject, lights the background and, avoids shadows. The extra light source lights the subject.
It is important to consider that there is enough space to achieve this set up. Alternatively for a vlog you must always consider your lighting, as you move from indoor to outdoor, a regular soft box set up would be suitable if filming were to take place in your home, however, for an advanced approach filming in a studio may be required.
3. Camera Settings - Photography / Film
The most important aspect for shooting or filming is understanding your camera and how to set it. Shooting on manual gives you full control towards, the type of image you are trying to achieve. Similarly, with film on DSLR cameras you are able to adjust the settings (ISO and white balance). The main camera to focus on are the Aperture, ISO and Shutter speed.
Aperture: controls how much light goes through the camera body.The aperture must correlate the flash heads.
Shutter Speed: The length of time the camera shutter is exposed to light into the camera sensor. The shutter can be set between 1/25-1/4000.
ISO: The level of sensitivity of the camera exposed to light. This affects the brightness and appearance of your image/film or vlog. If your flash heads (soft box) are set on high power, when both lights are triggered, your image will be over exposed, resulting in a grainy image.
With this guide you are set to take on the sphere of photography, film and vlogging. For a further insight on how to arrange the your studio take a look at the video below.
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