There is a lot to be said about having the chance to shoot in a studio filled with expensive lights and equipment perfect for creating the perfect photo. However, most people that enjoy photography as a hobby simply don’t have the room or cash for professional-grade lighting equipment. If you’re only shooting pictures as a hobby, there is really no good reason to spend money on lighting equipment that you won’t regularly use. Here are some ways that you can get studio-quality images simply by using the light you have around you.
Make Your Own Studio Reflectors
One of the keys to studio lighting is “bouncing” the light off of reflectors or umbrellas to create full, soft, and even light. Though this is hard to do without a few different light sources, you can mimic the effect by making your own reflectors to use when you shoot. If you need help softening the shadows created by one main light source (like the sun), you can reflect the light by using white surfaces like a large white poster board or a big piece of styrofoam or even a white bed sheet.
Get Creative Using Backdrops
You may not be able to offer the wide variety of backdrops found in a portrait studio, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. Use sheets for basic colors, and also try splashing paint on a couple to see how the vibrant colors can spice up your portraiture. All you need to do is hang the backdrops opposite a big window or a garage door opening, and you’ll get the same results as if you were using a fill light pointed at the subject.
Get Out the Paint Brush
All surfaces either absorb or reflect light, so wherever you decide to shoot should be designed with this in mind. If you can’t use a lot of lights in the room, you should consider painting the walls and the floor white. Having your walls white, they will help to bounce the light around so you’ll have a more even look.
Control the Flash
A direct flash will often make the subject have harsh shadows or look shallow but if used correctly it can be a great lighting tool. Whenever possible, look to bounce it off surfaces around your subject and only use it to fill in the shadows from the front. Think about it this way - if the image you are building looks like you won’t need a flash, that’s a perfect time to use one for additional fill.
Watch Your Time
The brightness and quality of the light will change depending upon the time of day. If you set up a backdrop facing the clear, early morning light, then use one of your homemade reflectors to soften the shadows and you’ll be surprised at how professional the final looks. Try taking photos at different times of day to see how the difference in light impacts the way things turn out, then book your studio sessions in for the times in which you’ll have the best light possible.
Don’t forget that studio lights are designed to simulate natural light as this is the type of lighting that is the most appealing. If you know how to harness this light and make it work for you, there’s absolutely no reason that you shouldn’t be able to generate images that compete with those created in the most expensive studio in town. If you have a little creativity and the will to do it, you can easily create your own inexpensive makeshift studio with just a little effort. At the end of the day, the only important thing is the result - the method is secondary.