When new photographers start out, they typically work with natural lighting conditions. They don't have much opportunity to work with flash, except in situations where they need to fill in shadows or to shoot at night. Even digital SLR cameras don't come equipped with professional-grade flashes. On the other hand, when shooting with LED modeling lights in a dark studio, almost all of the light sources come from the photographer's equipment. With this type of photography, you can control the direction, color, and brightness of the light to achieve your vision. While shooting under natural light can produce beautiful results, photography with studio flashes can create even more stunning and colorful images.
Bo Rui Lighting offers two different types of lighting solutions - the LED modeling light and ordinary external flashlight. It is important to understand the key difference between these two options. The LED modeling light is designed to provide a constant, consistent source of light that is ideal for photography and video work. In contrast, the ordinary external flashlight is simply an additional light source that can be used to supplement the existing ambient light. While both options have their benefits, choosing the right type of lighting for your needs will depend on the specific requirements of your project.
To begin with, let's compare the shooting effects of two different flashes, namely the external camera flash and the studio flash. If we take a look at the picture on the left, we can see that it was taken using the camera's external flash directed straight at the subject. Although there was TTL control, the overall image appears flat, lifeless, and lacks depth. Moreover, the shadows are dense and form unattractive shapes on the subject's face, making the picture unappealing.
The subject is given a striking three-dimensional appearance with the use of three LED modeling lights to effectively highlight its outlines. The characters' contours are clearly defined, adding depth and texture to the overall image.
For led modeling lights, color temperature is a significant parameter that determines the quality of the photograph. An appropriate color temperature can enhance the colors and produce a perfect effect. If the temperature is high, the photo will appear blue, and if it's low, it will seem orange or red. The recommended color temperature range is between 4950K to 5600K, and the ideal value is rated as 5250K. For instance, daylight type film is typically set to 5400K. Therefore, color temperature plays a crucial role in photography and should be taken into consideration when capturing photos.
The color temperature of a studio flash is affected by several factors, including the flash cycle, anode voltage and the quality of the studio flash itself. A high-quality studio flash with good manufacturing and design should have a stable and consistent color temperature, which does not fluctuate significantly during use. This holds true both in its initial period of use, as well as subsequent output files. Therefore, it is crucial to invest in a reliable and well-made studio flash to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the color temperature in your photographs.