Location lighting always presents certain difficulties due to the uncontrollable nature of ambient light and lack of access to mains power sources. Equipment must also be easy to transport and safe to hold or set up on a tripod or light stand. Off-camera flash is the most common choice, but there are some appealing continuous LED lighting options now available to photographers.
LED light panels, such as those in Rotolight range, provide steady, reliable lighting with minimum weight and low heat output. This makes them perfect for dynamic lighting styles out in the field. Advantages of continuous sources are predictable intensity and ease of placement and composition. Since the light is always visible, it is easier to shape than flash.
However, associated challenges are lower light output, battery life and a deficit of diffusion options. Since flash has a short duration, it is possible to freeze movement even in darker environments, while shots lit continuously can suffer from camera shake. If output is set to maximum this can result in light fall-off or blown highlights – adding a diffuser for softer light can reduce the already dimmer light too much. The photographer must thus find the correct balance of exposure and additional artificial light for sharp, flattering shots.
Step 1: Support the camera
Due to the lower power, it will often be advisable to set up your camera on a tripod when shooting in low light. Unlike flash, which simulates a short exposure, continuous sources cannot aid camera shake.
Step 2: Compose the shot
Use your light to arrange the frame. Don’t worry about exposure yet, simply use the illumination as a modelling light to estimate how the final image may appear. Pay attention to background brightness.
Step 3: Find the minimum exposure
Experiment to find the shortest shutter speed possible before sharpness begins to suffer, as a result of subject movement. This will vary, but as a standard try not to go below around 1/50sec.
Step 4: Adjust output
Use this minimum shutter speed as a baseline and adjust the light intensity to maintain this base value. Once this has been guaranteed, focus on highlight detail and alter output to fit dynamic range.
Step 5: Arrange lighting angle
Place your light as you would a flash, often above the subject at a 45-degree angle. Since the light is small and undiffused, the source was moved to ensure shadows fell in a flattering way on the face.
Step 6: Adjust color temperature
Lights such as the Rotolight allow warmth to be adjusted. Set a lower Kelvin value for greater warmth. Choose to blend or contrast with the ambient color temperature.
Read more:
• The best LED light panels for photographers
• The best flash lighting kits for home studio or location photography
• The 50 best camera accessories for photographers
• Photography tips and techniques
