Strobe Lighting for Beginners

Strobe lighting can seem quite daunting for the uninitiated, but once you get past any fear you might have and just dive into it, it really isn't that complicated. This straight-to-the-point introduction to strobe lighting is a great place to start.

In this video, photographer Mark Duffy disposes of any talk of "f numbers" or metering in relation to strobe power. Referring to strobe power in terms of "f numbers" is a useful system if you're shooting with film, but this is mostly unnecessary when shooting with a digital camera. Many creators still refer to this system when giving tutorials on e.g. portraits, which could be confusing for people not familiar with the terminology but who understand camera aperture settings. And, while it is good to have this technical knowledge — as it reinforces the laws of exposure and the inverse square law, etc. — it's absolutely not needed when you're just starting out.

Duffy demonstrates his method for getting perfect exposures without using any technical jargon while using the Godox system. Specifically, he's using the Godox SL60W — a continuous LED light that's mainly used for video but can also be used as a photography light for those on a tight budget. If you want more power, though, you'll need to increase your investment. For his headshots, Duffy is using Godox's AD 400Pro along with the AD 200Pro. Having the extra power of the 400w light means you can get a nice balance between daylight and the strobe while also being able to move the light further away from your subject, giving them more room to pose. 

Are you still hesitant about investing in strobe lighting?

Mike O'Leary's picture

Mike is a landscape and commercial photographer from, Co. Kerry, Ireland. In his photographic work, Mike tries to avoid conveying his sense of existential dread, while at the same time writing about his sense of existential dread. The last time he was in New York he was mugged, and he insists on telling that to every person he meets.

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1 Comment

Nice one thanks for featuring my video