Types of Studio Lighting

So many lights. So much to learn. Let Karl break it down for you.

In this class, legendary professional photographer Karl Taylor illuminates the world of studio lighting, covering the many different types of light, how they work, and when to use them.

Highlighting the key differences between different systems, he explains the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as the type of work they are best suited for.

This class will give you a deeper understanding of studio lighting – one that will help you to improve your photography.

In this class:

  • Different types of studio light
  • The fundamentals of working with lights: power sources, power settings, and triggering lights
  • Adjustments and attachments
  • Pack systems vs monoblock systems vs lithium systems
  • Best lighting systems for studio and location work

If you enjoy this class, check out Lighting Modifiers and Their Effects and Precision Lighting: Modifiers and Techniques.

You may also enjoy playing with our amazing Lighting Comparison Visualiser tool.

Questions? Please post them in the comments section below.

Comments

  1. Karl,
    I’ve gone through all your videos at least once and came back here to ask what may seem to be an obvious question. Still, I want your opinion.

    For my first “serious” lighting setup I’m considering one “location” type light with the internal battery. I’m planning on doing a lot of outdoor shooting, in rural areas of field and forest, or just away from from power sources. I could put the light head in a backpack and take it as far away as I need, and then have attach it to whatever is available to hold it, or pack in a stand too, or have an assistant simply hold the light, Then, obviously, I could use it indoors occasionally with a diffuser or box to do portraits or weddings.
    I would compliment it with a lower priced light that would probably require a battery pack or plug into the mains when I needed extra lighting indoors at events.

    Do you think that is a good choice for my situation?

    Thanks so much,
    Steve

    1. Hi Steve, as it sounds that you are mostly set on the outdoor portraits and fashion then I’d consider two outdoor lights with a lithium battery. I’m not sure of your budget but the Siros L kit could be a great choice. You can of course use these lights indoors too and they are often as versatile as mains powered lights you just might want to invest in a couple of spare batteries. Cheers Karl.

  2. Hello,Karl!I`d like to ask U a question.
    I watched broncolor “How to`s” on YOUTUBE,in the episode DANCING,Urs used HMI light and a slow shutter speed to creat a stunning motion blur, I don`t have that light. Can modeling light be used as continous light???
    One flash fires,but the other one doesn`t(I can chang the channel so that it can`t fire),just lit model.If this works,shoud I put gel on the modeling light to change the color temperature?

  3. Love the videos, we stopped watching tv these days and seem to watch your tutorials instead. We’re weird.

    I’ve just bought a cheap studio light to play with, I’ve never done anything in a studio before, and I just want to play with the different types of lights and reflectors etc.. I believe (I’ll know when it arrives I guess) it fires from a flash sensor. Should I use that or from a sync cable?

    1. Hi Justin if the lighting kit comes with a wireless or infra red trigger then they usually work well, a cable will do exactly the same but can get in the way.

  4. Hello Karl very much enjoying your courses, you are an excellent instructor.
    I am curious if you have ever used continuous lighting ( in particular arri lights) in conjunction with strobes, for fashion shots, I am starting to experiment with this and am interested in your take on it.

    Cheers
    Gerry

    1. Hi Gerry, I’ve used HMI lighting in conjunction with strobes/studio flash but Arri are usually video lights that are at 3600K colour temperature so you would need to put correction gels on them or on the strobes to get them both the same colour – flash is 5600K. HMI is already 5600K.

  5. Fantastic training style, its not easy to teach even if you are brilliant at your subject.
    I am learning so much and a great start to my passion

    1. Thank you James, I enjoying explaining things and in my photography I like to work in a logical process and I find I can apply that process to explanation too.

  6. thank you Karl and Team, perfect tutorial as usual. may i ask your opinion for the quality of Godox products which are more economy for students?

    1. Hi Art, I’m afraid we have never used Godox products so we are unable to comment on their quality or reliability.

    1. Hi Jean, let us know when you want to do that and as a member of KTE we’ll see if we can arrange a discount with bron for you.

  8. You’ve done a great job on these tutorials, Karl, and you are a very good instructor.

    Question: Why use a flash at all? What does a flash light do that a spot light cannot do? I know in another episode you explain how flash duration, etc. captures motion and therefore it is imperative to utilize it; but why use it on a model, for example, that is not moving? Flashes seem rather complex, they have to be timed to the camera, and therefore expensive?
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Steve, I think your questions will be answered as you continue through this course. But do come back to me at the end if you have further questions. Cheers Karl.

  10. This is amazing,no doubt internet is full of knowledge (may be relevant or not) but at least someone like you is giving the pin point information to others.

    I am happy that i found one of you video on you tube and subscribed your channel after watching it.

    This is the exact way of knowledge transferring…loved it !

    btw Karl … you look more handsome without hair 🙂

    Love from India !

    Vijay

  11. I am really enjoying this course! The content is helping close gaps in my knowledge of their use even though I ‘ve watched many other courses simply showing them in operation. Excellent fundamentals!

  12. Wow, that Broncolor line is really extensive. I’m presently using P C Buff gear, but plan to upgrade at some point. Great lesson.

  13. Awesome content! I watch a ton of training videos and have actually learned more from these than I have in the past.

  15. For someone like myself who has limited experience with studio lighting, I’ve watched so far the first and second video’s in this section and have been very impressed with the presentation and the information given on each subject. Just what I’ve been looking for.

    1. The best $14 ever spent. This course gives “Lights, Camera, Action” a whole new meaning and armed with such knowledge and insight, we too can bring life and Action” to our still photography.

      Great job. Your explanations and examples are simply amazing.
      Well done Karl

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