Build Your Indoor Studio Lighting Setup
In this lesson, I walk you through assembling your indoor studio lighting so you can start creating excellent flash portraits right away! Follow these simple steps for a smooth, stress-free setup.
Steps Described in this Lesson
Step 1: Prepare Your Camera
Before you start, make sure your camera is set to work with a third-party wireless trigger. You might have to adjust settings specific to your camera. Store these settings as a preset if possible.
Note: In general, you want to make sure your camera is set to operate in its flash TTL mode. And, if your camera is equipped with an electronic shutter (i.e. Silent Shutter/Electronic First Curtain, etc.), it’s advisable to turn those off and switch to standard mechanical shutter operation for flash photography.
Step 2: Assemble Your Light Stand
Extend the legs by loosening the appropriate knob and raise the pole to shoulder height. Secure all knobs firmly.
Step 3: Attach Your Flash Bracket and Flash
Mount your flash bracket onto the light stand’s stud. Then secure your flash to the bracket.
Step 4: Configure Flash and Wireless Trigger
Turn on your flash and set it to wireless receiver mode. Next, power on your wireless trigger, verify it’s on the same channel (e.g., Channel 1, Group A), and test the connection using the flash fire test button. Mount the trigger to your camera’s hot shoe and test again by pressing the shutter.
Step 5: Attach Your Modifier
If you’re using an umbrella or softbox, attach it now.
Step 6: Position Your Light
Use the bracket’s adjustment lever to angle the light, and the light stand’s knobs to fine-tune the height. Aim for the “45/45” position—place the light about 45 degrees off the camera-to-subject axis and tilt it down roughly 45 degrees from just above your subject’s head. A sandbag at the base can provide extra stability.
Step 7: Test and Adjust
Set your camera to manual mode (try ISO 200, your flash sync speed—around 1/250 sec, and f/8). Take a test shot. If using TTL as shown in the lesson, adjust your Flash Exposure Compensation either on your camera or via the flash trigger until you achieve the desired brightness.
Once you’ve dialed in your settings and captured a good test shot, pat yourself on the back—you’ve just set up your first one-light portrait setup! Enjoy practicing these steps, and remember, it only gets easier with a little repetition.