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How to Set Up Lighting for an Amateur Photographer

Lighting is one of the cornerstones of photography. Many amateur photographers can successfully take a picture in existing natural light, but often they become confused when it comes to working in a studio. Once amateur photographers get past the initial intimidation of studio work, they will quickly learn they have complete control over all the lighting and how it will impact their images. A three-light set up is the easiest to learn and can be used for a number of different shots. By controlling the light and understanding the basics, a white wall can look completely black in a studio picture.

Things You'll Need

Small table
Three studio lights
Tripod
Sync cord

Instructions

- 1
  Place a small table 4 to 6 feet in front of the back wall of the studio you are working in.
- 2
  Position the object you're photographing on the table. Attach your camera to a tripod and position the camera 4 to 6 feet in front of the table.
- 3
  Position one of the studio lights at a 45-degree angle in front and to the right side of the subject. This will be your "main" or "key" light. Position the second light in the same position on the opposite side of the subject. This is your "fill" light. Position a third light on the floor behind the table aimed at the back wall. If the entire table is to be in the picture and the light is visible you can move this light to the side so it is out of the shot.
- 4
  Turn on the main light and set it to full power. Take a light meter reading from this light using the light meter on your camera. Set the exposure mode to "manual" on your camera and set the camera exposure to match the light meter reading. For example, let's say the exposure is set at 1/250th of a second for the shutter speed with an aperture of f8.0.
- 5
  Turn the main light off and turn on the fill light. Adjust the power until you get a meter reading of 1/250th of a second with an aperture of f5.6. This is one full stop darker than the main light, and this will create subtle shadows on the subject. By lessening the power of the fill light you can darken the shadows.
- 6
  Turn on the third light and set the power to full for a completely white wall, or leave the light off. Provided there is at least three stops of difference between the main light reading and the light meter reading on the back wall, that wall will be appear completely black. With the main light reading 1/250th of a second at f8.0, the back wall would need to have a meter reading of 1/250th of second at f2.8 or lower to appear completely black.
- 7
  Turn all the lights back on to their desired brightness, and you are ready to start shooting.

Photography