Low-cost lighting ideas for a casual band photoshoot

Question

I’m new to portrait-style shooting and may be doing a casual photoshoot with two bands. I’ve already spent most of my budget on my DSLR, an extra lens, and a tripod, so I’m looking for inexpensive lighting options or simple tricks that can improve the results without buying a full lighting kit.

Would borrowing an external flash help more than using cheap constant lights or flashlights? Are white, gray, or black sheets useful as reflectors or modifiers? I’d like a simple setup that’s easy to manage for someone with little portrait-lighting experience.

user889 · Accepted Answer

If you can borrow a camera mounted, TTL-enabled, flash (i.e. an external one, not the pop-up) that can point sideways/backwards it's pretty useful for some basic but effective improvement in lighting. A big white sheet or just the walls if they're light and neutral-coloured are great as reflectors — have them off to the side or behind you and you'll get some nice even lighting from one direction (and the TTL means you're not fiddling with settings/learning too much as you go).

Set up is particularly easy because you just need someone to hold the sheet and move it around a bit (no big lights on stands and power cords).

Low-cost lighting ideas for a casual band photoshoot

2 Answers

Your Answer

Related Questions