A Guide to Putting Together Your First Lighting Kit

When you are new to artificial lighting, the veritable plethora of terms, modifiers, prices, and more can be a bit overwhelming and paralyzing when you are attempting to put together your first kit. This helpful video will give you all the guidance you need to put together your first lighting kit and be up and shooting in no time.

Coming to you from Daniel Norton, this excellent video will get you up and running with your first lighting kit. Creating your first lighting kit can be a bit daunting, particularly from the perspective of price, as dedicated monolights can run anywhere from around $150 to several thousand per light. As Norton mentions, you can accomplish almost any shot you'd like to with three lights. Personally, I'd recommend not spending too much on your first kit. Artificial lighting is a far different game, and I know many photographers who get a light set, only for it to languish in their closet after a few shoots. It takes a bit of time to really master the basics, and that will test your commitment to working with artificial light. If you end up mastering it and deciding to continue, you'll also have a better idea of what you really want and need in a premium kit at that point. Check out the video above for Norton's full thoughts.