Learn the best tips to master photography in indoor lighting in this comprehensive article designed for beginners and even advanced photographers.
Unlike outdoor photography, where you have natural light to work with, you might find it a bit challenging to set up indoor lighting and capture well-exposed pictures of your subject.
Similar Articles you may like to read –
How to use flash for outdoor photography? tips and ideas included
Get creative with slow shutter speed portraits. How to? tips and ideas
What is the Best portrait Aspect Ratio for Photos?
Guide to Female Glamour Photography! Tips and ideas included
That’s why I have put together this photography indoor lighting guide: to give you a good starting point. At the end of this article, you will master how to set up your studio lighting to get the best shots. Let’s begin.
How do you take pictures in bad indoor lights?
Tips for bad indoor light photography:
Use a flash.
Use a wide aperture (low f-number) to let in as much light as possible.
Increase ISO value for greater light sensitivity.
Use a tripod to avoid blur.
1. Study your subject
How do you master indoor photography lighting? The first and easiest way is to study your subjects the very moment they walk into your studio. Examine their clothes, accessories, and other materials.
This will help you determine the kind of studio lighting equipment to set up (if you have several options available) and the right angle to place it.
For instance, if the subject is wearing eyeglasses, jewelry, or any reflective objects, do not place the light source right in front of your subject’s face or the object. Instead, position it at an angle (between 15-75 degrees) where you will be able to minimize reflections and glare while still achieving good lighting.
Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality, character, and emotions. It can either be candid or artistic. Portrait photography requires more than just the ability to understand your camera settings, lighting, and composition.
You must also possess the ability to connect with your subjects and capture their unique qualities. So, it is a difficult but rewarding genre of photography.
Click Below to read a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the art of portrait photography.
You can also minimize reflections by reducing the intensity of the light. Keep in mind that if the light is too high, it may cause reflections on the upper part of the glasses. Conversely, if it is too low, it can create reflections on the lower part of the glasses. So, try different settings to find the right balance.
You must take your time to know your subjects and the kind of pictures they want. This will give you a hint on how to set up your studio lighting and whether to go with a hard or soft light source.
2. Learn how to position your light sources rightly
How do you position lights for indoor photography? Many photographers often position their main light sources at 45 degrees from the subject. But the best way will depend on the size or height of your subject.
If your subject is tall, I suggest positioning your light source slightly above eye level. This way, you will soften shadows and create an even illumination of the subject’s face. Another method is to use the butterfly lighting technique. Simply place the light source directly and above the subject’s face.
Depending on your subject’s physique, you can raise or lower the light’s source position to find the right balance. You may also set it on your subject’s LHS or RHS. This might take time, but it will be worth it once you get it.
3. Know the direction you want the light to come from
Consider the direction from which you want the light to reach your subject when setting up your equipment for indoor photography.
There are several lighting directions you can choose from. But the common ones include front lighting, side lighting, and backlighting.
Each direction has its unique effects on photos. So, choose the one that complements your subject and the desired outcome.
4. Keep the light intensity balanced
If you are using multiple light sources for a shot, ensure they are balanced in terms of intensity, except if you want one to overpower another for creative purposes.
5. Understand the lighting conditions
Before you start shooting, assess the available light sources in your own house or your clients’ homes. Depending on the time of day, look for rooms or spaces with the right light intensity or color temperature.
Remember, natural light is the best form of lighting, regardless of the location. So, try raising the window blinds and opening doors to allow more of it to flood in and illuminate your subject.
Additionally, evaluate the intensity of light entering the room through the window, doorways, and skylights. This will help you plan your composition and where to place your subject within the space.
6. Use a fast lens for indoor photography
It is best if you use a fast lens with a maximum aperture of around f/1.8 or f/2.8 for indoor photography sessions.
This will allow more light into your camera and greatly increase your ability to get well-exposed images without relying heavily on artificial lighting.
Personally, I use a 50mm f/1.8 lens for indoor shots. A slow lens will allow less light into your imaging sensor. But you do not want that because you need to allow in as much light as possible when shooting in low light situations
7. Increase your ISO setting
How do you set your ISO for photography in indoor lighting? For indoor photography, you will need to slightly increase your ISO to somewhere around 400 to 800 if you want to capture good shots.
Yes, shooting with a higher ISO value will increase the image’s grain; you have to accept a little noise in your photographs if you want to click great photographs with indoor lighting.
8. Explore other options
If the available indoor lighting will not be enough to capture well-exposed photos, you may consider using a Speedlight or even table lamps to add or modify the lighting in the scene.
More articles you may like to read –
Overcast photography: 10 Cloudy Day Photography Tips for Stunning Photos
What Is Feminist Photography? How To Click Creative Feminist Photos?
A guide to Dramatic black and white portrait photography
10+ Halloween Boudoir Photography Tips-How To Shoot?
9. Consider bouncing the light
Harsh light from your flash or strobes can create unflattering shadows or reflections. So, consider softening the light by using diffusers or bouncing it off walls, ceilings, or reflectors. This way, you will be able to capture well-lit pictures using indoor lighting.
10. Consider a background light
Consider adding a separate light source to properly illuminate your subject’s background. This is very important if you are taking full portraits and you need the background to appear well-lit.
This additional light can help balance your overall indoor lighting and reduce shadows. You may also consider experimenting with different white balance settings until you get a good color temperature.
In conclusion, mastering photography in indoor lighting is both fun and challenging. But once you get it right, you will find it very easy to capture your desired indoor photos.
Finally, do you have any questions about mastering photography in indoor lighting? You can comment in the box below. We would like to hear from you.