How to Make Studio Lighting for Photographs

Set up a shop light to use as your main light source. Shop lights have the same output as a professional photography light and come on a stand. This is a bright light and will need to be diffused. Hang a white sheet in front of the light to spread it evenly throughout your space. Don't let the sheet touch the light bulb because these are continuous lights that run hot.

Use the clip-on light as a fill light. This helps eliminate shadows; the hood can be used to create more directional lighting.

Get a small clip-on desk lamp to use as a hair light. This creates separation between your subject and the background. For added manipulation, use a cone formed from aluminum foil as a snoot. Create a cone shape using several layers of aluminum foil; attach the wide end to your small lamp and point the narrow end toward your subject's head.

Re-purpose an accordion car shade to use as a reflector. Set it up opposite a light source to bounce subtle light back onto your subject.