How to Create Good Lighting Indoors for Photography

Natural Lighting

• 1

  Take advantage of any natural lighting you have. Snap indoor photos near large patio doors, picture windows or just inside open double doors. Natural lighting shows your photo subject in a way that no artificial light can match -- balanced, soft and realistic. The use of lamps and overhead fluorescent lighting is not suggested. Schedule your photo shoots during the day for the most effective photos.

• 2

  Use your camera flash which can be inside your camera or you can utilize an external flash. While these are good substitutes for natural lighting, common problem are red eyes and harsh features that catch reflections from nearby shiny or mirrored surfaces. If you utilize an external flash, hold it as high as you can and, if possible, reflect the light away from the subject with a mirror. Always remember that a camera flash can be used in casual settings but it can be extremely disruptive during speeches, presentations, plays or any public performance or private meeting.

• 3

  Increase your ISO (International Standards Organization) setting on your digital camera. This will increase the camera's sensitivity to light and help pictures taken in darker areas come out clearer and brighter. Most cameras use an automatic ISO selection but you can manually set your camera to a higher ISO setting of between 800 and 1600 for low light areas. Keep in mind that the higher the setting, the grainier or "noisier" your photos may appear. You can pick and choose any ISO setting for each picture you take if you so desire.

• 4

  Set up a lighting kit around the area and subjects you are photographing. A small kit can be purchased from a camera shop or online and is relatively inexpensive and easy to set up and use. It usually consists of umbrella lighting with bulbs, stands and reflectors. Also invest in a quality light meter. This equipment is an excellent investment if you are serious about photography. It can be used many times and is very helpful even outdoors when it is overcast or dark.

• 5

  Test your camera before purchasing to ensure that low lighting will not be too much of a problem especially if you plan on taking many indoor photographs. Ask the salesperson for his recommendations and also research which external flash units and other lighting equipment will work the best in producing quality photos.