Introduction to Studio Photography

Do you struggle with lighting your photographs? Or perhaps you’re already familiar with the basics of lighting but would like to understand more about the theories behind it and how to improve your current techniques?

Our ‘Introduction to Studio Photography’ session could be just what you need to start you on your photography journey!

This is a 4-hour training session at Swindon Studio, BSS House, Cheney Manor, Swindon, SN2 2PJ.

Here’s what we will cover…

Part 1: Lighting theory & examples

This is a mixed session with the first part being a fairly fast-paced PowerPoint presentation where we cover the equipment basics and then get into the more interesting part of lighting, specifically: lighting a person.

Learn how to present your subject in the best light and how to convey the emotion envisaged.

You will learn about both hard and soft light and how to mix them, as well as lighting styles such as butterfly, short and Rembrandt.

We’ll cover how to choose the perfect background and how to light it, from achieving the perfect white background through to greys and black. Discover how using additional lights such as Hair and Kickers can improve your photography, as well as the optimum positions to place them in.

We will discuss a number of commercial images to identify how they were shot and the emotions that the photographer intended to convey. A photographer must always have an idea of how they want their work to make you feel, even if those ideas are not yet fully formed at the time of the shoot.

A great way to get ideas on this when you are just starting out is to use other photographs for inspiration. We’ll analyse the lighting used in some iconic images and identify the modifiers used such as Beauty dishes, soft boxes or Fresnel heads, and the impact these had on the final images.

Part 2: Practical session

The second part of the day is a practical session when everyone will shoot, therefore please bring your own camera.

We will be using different lighting types and backgrounds.

We start with how to handle and setup the equipment, lights stands and backgrounds and then move on to how to set light powers and positions to produce the desired lighting style. 

A key benefit of this training session is that we don’t bombard you with different lighting “rules” and technical jargon. Instead, we explain why they are important, so that you full understand how they will impact your shoot. We’ll also cover when you can (and when you shouldn’t) “break” those rules.

This session does not just show you simple lighting setups to copy. We fully cover the thinking behind the setups so that you can understand how to do this in many situations, not just in a studio.

This is an interactive session where questions are welcomed. If you don’t understand something, please ask.

You should leave with enough knowledge to hire a studio, set up the lighting and conduct a shoot that captures beautiful, well-lit images that you and your subject will be proud of!

This event is limited to 6 places, so book early to avoid disappointment!