If you want to practice photography in the studio, you need to be aware of some common errors that can occur when you are using strobe lighting fixtures.
We will examine these in closer detail and discuss what needs to be done to insure that your best shots aren't missed because of poor studio lighting techniques.
The most common error when using strobes is unwanted background shadows and the infamous red-eye effect.
Both of these problems are typical when using a single strobe mounted on the camera.
The shadows can be avoided in three simple ways.
- Move the subject away from the wall.
You should try for at least six to eight feet if possible.
- If possible, unmount the strobe from the camera and move it to one side so that the shadow is outside of the final picture boundaries.
- Try bouncing the flash.
This can be off the ceiling, wall or an umbrella.
Because you are spreading out the light, any shadows will be much softer.
'Red-eye' is the result of of the strobe light actually reflecting off of the blood vessels that line the back of the eyeball.
This effect is due to the strobe being mounted too close to the lens.
If you have a moderate size strobe unit, you may not have had any issues because the light is far enough away.
Strobes that are built into the camera are of greater concern.
Many newer cameras have a feature which flashed a pre-flash light in order to constrict the iris and keep the flash from being reflected back into the lens.
This is fairly effective but still not always perfect.
The next issue that sometimes occurs when bouncing your flash is deep eye shadows.
This problem occurs because the light is bouncing at an angle that directly over your subject's head.
For a solution, move the light farther away so that more diffuse light is able to reach the subject.
You may also consider lowering the light, bouncing it off of a wall or using an umbrella located behind you.
Number three on our list is the dreaded "Scary" lighting effect.
Do you remember telling spooky stories around the camp fire when you were young? You would place a flashlight under your chin to produce a spectacular ghoulish appearance.
If you have ever tried shooting your subject from a low angle, you might have captured the same thing.
The simplest remedy is to remove the strobe from the camera and place it so that your subject is lit in a more flattering manner.
This is what is the most important idea to remember.
If you set up your light correctly, you can move your camera to any location and get a good shot.
The last error that many photographers have problems with is unpleasant glare from reflective surfaces.
Mirrors, window panes and glossy painted walls are often associated with this problem.
A subject that wears glasses offers the most common occurrence.
If you fire a strobe directly into the glasses, a reflection will bounce back into the lens.
A trick sometimes used by professionals is to have the subject raise the ear loops to change the angle of the glasses.
This tilting 'cheats' the glare from the strobe by directing it slightly downwards away from the camera.
You can also try moving the strobe so that the reflection will fall outside of the lens and resulting image.
Reflective glare can also be a problem when shooting through a window pane or other glass surface.
Some examples of this might be photographing exhibits behind glass at a museum or the display of a department store.
For either situation, the approach is the same.
Move the strobe far enough off the camera so that the reflection lands outside the image area.
You can also try using a polarizing filter to help cut down unwanted glare.
Just be sure to compensate for the light loss when using filters.
However, if you have a dedicated flash that is capable of reading exposure at the the sensor plane, the unit will automatically adjust for this.
Many photographers really enjoy the challenges of working with various studio lighting techniques.
In this manner, they have complete control of the final image.
If you are looking for a way to showcase your talent for working with light, make sure you avoid these common errors.
Following these simple, easy methods will help you take your photography to the next level.