Studio Portrait Lighting - Spending More IS Better!

If you've been bitten by the "Photo Bug" you'll eventually reach the point where you  want to move your portraits to the next level but there's a huge pitfall...

Most of us who've been bitten by the "Photo Bug" eventually reach the point where we want to move our portraits to the next level and buy some studio portrait lighting. But there is one potential pitfall...

Good lights cost a bundle!

We know that even the most basic portrait lighting setup will require at least three lights, but shazaam good ones are a lot more than we want to (or can) spend. It's easy to spend over two thousand dollars - just on a three light studio portrait lighting system.

So, we wind up buying some cheap knock-off brand. We figure they are good enough for now and we'll get the better ones later. (When we have more money to invest.)

Think about it, do you really think you will EVER go back and get the better quality studio portrait lighting?

Actually, YOU WILL! But not because it is more financially convenient. Nope, you'll end up buying the more expensive ones because you will soon realize that the cheap lights just won't do the job, aren't as efficient and keep breaking down. Or simply aren't working as advertised.

In other words, they are a pain in the patootie to use...so you end up not using them and they sit around gathering dust. Your total investment was wasted money. And your photo education suffers. It is extremely difficult to learn anything if you can't rely on your lights to do what they were meant to do. You never know if a photo that doesn't live up to your creative vision was because of incorrect technique...or just the result of using cheap lights.

What to do?

When the time comes to start getting your own studio portrait lighting system, buy the absolute best you can buy. If you must, spend your whole wad of cash on only one light!

Learn to use it well, use reflectors to bounce light into your subject and replace the other two lights. Once you've totally mastered ONE light (and saved some money) buy a second one and so on.

I've seen one light (and reflectors) lighting an entire portrait set and duplicating a 5 light system. One good light used well, is better than a three light system not used at all.

Buying the best quality - ALWAYS - pays off in the end, particularly in photo gear. Your lights will last you years, if not decades and will be a joy to work with and to own. Try building your studio portrait lighting system this way...you'll be glad you did.

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