Advantages of Using Continuous LED Lighting for Product Photography
When it comes to product photography, lighting is one of the most crucial elements that can make or break a shot. In this article, we will explore the advantages of using continuous LED lighting for product photography.
What is Continuous LED Lighting?
Continuous LED lighting is a type of lighting that provides a constant source of illumination. Unlike studio flash lighting, which produces a burst of light, continuous LED lighting emits a steady stream of light. This allows photographers to see the lighting effect in real-time and adjust it accordingly.
Advantages of Continuous LED Lighting
There are several advantages to using continuous LED lighting for product photography, including:
Cold Light Source
One of the main advantages of continuous LED lighting is that the light source itself is cold. This means that photographers do not need to worry about extreme heat, which can be a concern when using modeling lamps on studio lights. This makes it safer and more comfortable to work with, especially when shooting for extended periods.
Real-Time Feedback
Another advantage of continuous LED lighting is that it provides a \"what you see is what you get\" effect. Since photographers can see the lighting effect in real-time, they can make adjustments on the fly to get the desired result. This can save a lot of time and effort compared to trial and error with studio flash lighting.
Adjustable Power and Intensity
Most LED continuous lights allow you to adjust the power and change the intensity of the light. This means you can fine-tune the lighting to suit your needs, whether you want a softer or more dramatic effect.
Flexibility in Positioning
Continuous LED lights are also very flexible in terms of positioning. You can move them closer or further away from the subject to adjust the lighting effect. This can have an impact on the gradations on the product and can be used creatively to achieve the desired result.
Using Continuous LED Lighting for Product Photography
To illustrate the benefits of using continuous LED lighting for product photography, let's consider an example scenario.
Suppose you are photographing a glossy product, and you want to capture the gradations on the surface. You start by taking a photo with the product under the existing house lights and the continuous LED lighting in its default position. The result is a poor-quality photo with a dark, high-contrast product and scrappy-looking lighting.
Next, you bring the Light Cone into position and immediately notice a much nicer lighting effect on the product. You take a photo, and the result is a much more desirable-looking product with lovely gradations running across the gloss surfaces.
You can also experiment with moving the lighting in and out to affect the gradations on the product and change the look of the lighting. You can also choose which direction you want the lighting from by adjusting the position of the light.
While you don't necessarily need three lights, using two lights with the Light Cone is a good solution for most scenarios when using continuous LED lighting.
