Studio Lighting for Photography & Video

How to choose a continuous lighting kit

Continuous lighting allows you to easily adjust brightness, angles, or add various accessories. There are three major types of continuous lighting bulbs:

• Fluorescent - cost-effective bulbs with relatively high output and even, white light. Suitable for shooting products for advertising.
• Incandescent - provide the most natural lighting, making them ideal for portrait photography. Lighting kits often contain multiple bulbs for higher or lower light output as needed.
• Halogen - typically provide very high output, which unfortunately generates plenty of heat. Suitable for filmmakers, who need to illuminate larger scenes.

LED light bulbs are a separate category, expected to become widely popular as technology develops. LED bulbs provide high performance, smoothly adjustable brightness, low power consumption, and wonderful flexibility.

Cameramen in particular should appreciate the advantages LED light bulbs offer, since they are easily portable and powered by a simple battery or accumulator (depending on power output). The popular LED technology is poised to become a fast favourite among outdoor photographers, who need good lighting in a portable package.