How to illuminate a photo studio with LED lights?

In this post, we are going to tell you how to illuminate a photo studio using LED lights.

When lighting with spotlights or continuous light LED lamps we need to place each spotlight on a studio stand to set the distance from the subject. Also, place the camera on a tripod, define the power at which we want to work, and select the color temperature.

We can use the same light schemes that we use with flashes in general lines, but we will have to bring the focus closer to the subject. If in addition to LEDs we have another type of continuous light, we will have to calibrate the color temperature to match that of both bulbs, or quite the opposite, look for a warmer light for example in the fill or counter focus and leave the LED bulb to the main light with a cooler temperature, etc.

Power and continuous LED light

As we have said, this is the trickiest issue and for which the use of flash is still maintained. When we use light from a spotlight or LED panel, it is likely that if we work at very fast shutter speeds, if we want to freeze the image, it will be underexposed. It is true that if we raise the values ​​in post-production, the photograph can be correctly illuminated. But many times we are with clients who will want to see the result and in any case, it is better to have a correct photograph from the beginning. This is why LED light in general needs a longer exposure time.

If our element to be photographed is, for example, an object such as in product photography, it will be enough to take this into account and give the exposure shutter more time. You will have to take this into account if you want to make a correct exposure of your photographs.

Thus, LED light bulbs have been imposed in various modalities: product photography and objects in general, be it food, jewelry, clothing, and portraiture, but not so much when freezing movements are required.

The LED light in macro photography

In macro photography, the light is also taking over the LED light. This type of light, as we have said, is much softer and therefore is perfect for illuminating small objects or small areas. In addition, the LED light bulbs are lightweight and can be easily moved.

We can find LED light panels for macro photography with a power cable, but also with lithium batteries that allow us to move with them comfortably in the field to photograph flowers or insects, for example. It is the ideal support for this type of photography that usually needs a little light support.

The LED light in portrait photography

One of the advantages of LED light is that it allows you to select between different color temperatures. This makes it very interesting for portraits since we can choose if we want to warm the face or if we opt for higher temperatures that will give us colder tones without having to modify other factors in our photography.

In addition, the soft light they emit and the possibility of using LED light rings make portraits much more flattering since the circle reflected in the pupils is very attractive and the diffuse light and shadows help to favor any face. Of course, you should probably place them closer than any other type of spotlight.

The LED light in LightPainting

The LED light can not only be colder or warmer, but it also offers the possibility of choosing any RGB color which allows for much more creative lighting, especially in night photography and light painting.

One of the examples that fascinate us the most is that of Luke Rasmussen who combines star photography with climbing with light painting, obtaining impressive photographs, impossible to achieve before.

LED light and flashlight

What can this combination do for me? If you already have one type of spotlight and you want to start trying with others, you will see that the combination between the two allows you to enjoy greater creativity. As we know, the flash allows you to define the subject, the continuous light is softer and continues to illuminate the entire scene. Combining both we can achieve effects like the following one where we have perfectly defined the subject and at the same time, we see the trail illuminated by the LEDs but diffused, generating a very interesting movement effect.