LED Continuous Lights vs Strobes for Photography - which is the best studio lighting solution?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2017
- Shooting with LED continuous lights vs Strobes for photography - which should you be using? LED Lighting for photography has come a very long way in the last few years and all indications are that constant light sources and LED’s will be the future of portrait lighting and all photographic and video lighting.
The real questions right now are do you really understand the differences between continuous lighting and strobes or speedlights? Why would you use one instead of the other? If you are a new photographer which type of studio lighting should you start with?
The simple reality is that you will not find one light that is best suited for every situation you will encounter as a photographer. As I have shown you - there are pros and cons to both lighting systems. I actually consider myself lucky that I learned portrait lighting with those cheap silver reflectors and 150 watt bulbs mounted on top of light stands. It made it easier to learn how to see light - because the light was alway on. And it forced me to learn how to really see and manipulate light because the light quality from those cheap silver reflectors is horrible.
If you are new to lighting and plan to shoot people like I do or even products, I would whole heartedly encourage you to start with LED lights. The constant light sources will allow you to really see what you are doing and will definitely help you develop your lighting skills much faster.
And for you portrait photographers - here is a huge bonus that you get with constant LED’s… studio photographers have a bad habit of working in slightly darker studios so that they can see the effects of their modeling lights. The problem with that is that the modeling lights really aren’t very bright so your subjects pupils expand to gather more light. The result is that you see less of the iris and less color in the eye. Using LED lights for your portrait lighting will generally cause the pupils to contract which allows you to see more of the iris and more color.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
Savage Edge Lit Pro LED Lights: amzn.to/2xHYzj1
LumoPro LP180R Speedlight: amzn.to/2xboSwr
Paul C. Buff Digibee DB800: paulcbuff.com/db800.php
Smith Victor Bi-Color 19” LED Ring Light: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Spekular: spiffygear.com/spekular/
Nikon D810: amzn.to/2h9MYyG
Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Lens: amzn.to/2jzB1Xm
Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478DR-U Light Meter: amzn.to/2xbZ17O
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FTC Disclosure: Savage Universal, Smith-Victor, and Spiffy Gear provided lighting showing this video. No sponsors have paid to be included or mentioned, and all words and opinions are my own.
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Tony and Chelsea always just seem to try and sell me something and end up wasting my time. You get to the point and explain what I’m looking for!
Thank you MrDmr3223! I appreciate the kind words and support!
I recently invested in a Neewer LED portable light for the Xmas season. I love taking photos of holiday lighting, but am having difficulty balancing a speed light with the dimmer holiday lights. I happened at a photo shoot at Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA. I saw the photogs were setting up portable studio strobes in beauty dishes, but only using the modeling light to light the subject. I took a grab shot between the photogs and when I got home to post process the photo, I was amazed how much better it was than my speed light shots which were still overpowering the holiday lights. That convinced me that a continuous lighting source was much better and balanced over a speed light in that situation. Thanks for a great video on this subject.
After watching your video , suddenly my headache disappeared! Thanks Joe!
Lols you're very welcome Takira Sharikane! I am glad I could help!
Such a great point about the eyes contracting allowing more iris to be seen when using LEDs. Great info!
Thank you! Ian & Kristen Nelson Glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to the rest of the videos in this series. Great info, as always.
This is exactly the video explanation I was looking for. Thanks Joe. I had to re-edit this comment and add that this was a fantastic video.
Such a helpful tutorial, thank you 🤗
I’m soooo happy I found your channel you explain everything to the T. ❤️❤️
Great video - thanks so much for this! I've been primarily a landscape photographer for about 30 years. I've branched into product shooting and dabbled with stock (which is more hobby than anything). I've recently been interested in doing portraits and have made a fairly small investment in a continuous LED setup with one octabox key light, one 24" square softbox fill and am combining these with the speed light I already had plus some background lights (those terrible silver cones do ok for this).
I am happy to see yur video supports the approach I am taking. I'm learning quickly and enjoying the ride!
Great video. Love how you explain the difference between the two kinds of light.
Don't comment enough. You are an excellent educator. Thanks!
You're welcome Philip Cunio! I appreciate the comment and very kind words!
I didn't even think about the eye part, brilliant point.
Thanks for commenting DrFillyBlunt!
Absolutely fantastic advice and great content I’m a subscriber 😊🙌🏼
Thanks for your always unbiased and ever helpful vids! Much appreciated, Joe!
You're very welcome Jacy English! Thank you for the very kind words.
Awesome as always! I can't wait to see the video on that Spekular light!
Thank you Martin Thomas! I appreciate the comment.
Thanks Joe. Very cool point about low light modeling and the pupils. Nice and informative. I shoot both LED and studio strobes, but getting more and more into LED.
Joe,
Thanks for what you do for the Photography Community. Your work is beautiful and your mini-tutorials are invaluable. Keep up the great work !
Gil from Largo, FL
aka SemperFiGuy
You're very welcome Gil Barrett! Thank you so much for the kind words!
Love the editing! Sir you're doing a great job. Please, please, keep shooting people :D and please keep sharing your experience!
That is my plan dxage! Thank you for the kind words!
Hey Joe, great video. That was really helpful. I think I'm going to try a combo setup with continuous LEDs and strobe.
This is wonderfully useful and concise tutorial on the differences between continuous and strobe, thanks for doing this? Did you ever do any more videos in this series? Thanks, Art
Thanks Joe for your videos. They are very useful and inspiring.
You're very welcome Alessandro Atria! Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any videos!
Hi Joe. Im just starting out and love these type of video's. Looking forward to more like this, Thanks.
You're very welcome Tardif Country! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Great info and looking forward to your video on the Spekular lights.
I like that you are practical and realistic when you explain things! BZ!
I try mel Feliciano! Thanks for noticing and commenting! I appreciate the support!
Just came across your channel and I just have to say that I love it.
Hi Joe, i love your videos, so informative. I would like to know if this LED light can be used for Newborn photography?
Thanks Joe, big help. Thumbs up...
Great video! At the very beginning I was screaming YES! YES! YES! lol
Thank you robert decoulaz! Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the most interesting and concise description of the subject I have found. Thank you
You're very welcome Bruce Pool! I am glad you enjoyed it!
You have the best mindset on TH-cam out of all the "photographer" channels, and I always love your conclusion after each video: "stop worrying about your gear and go out already, shoot, make mistakes, learn from them, improve".
The camera manufacturers would go broke for sure, if every gearthographers would share your mindset tho :D But some people are too satisfied by counting eyelashes, soooo.....
Love your work Sir!
I appreciate your kind words and comments EDC Gadgets! Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any videos.
Straight up and honest
Enjoying the channel. ...Thanks Joe
Aged 16, I started as a (apprentice) pro photographer in 1978, in the studio we always used flash with modeling lights. Obviously, experience with equipment enables the user to get things right instinctively, rather like riding a bike. I can remember back in the days of film, confidently shooting weddings without a light meter (when I broke it on the job a couple of times) and getting all my shots perfectly exposed, it's the result of experience. Yet, I feel uncomfortable without modeling lights, they are not just for beginners, they help at any level.
I understand your view that the increased iris gained without using modeling lights, or LEDs adds colour to the eye. However, when the eyes are dilated wider, it can make the subject more attractive. I suppose it depends on the effect you are after.
Great video Joe, looking forward to the next in this series.
the tip about the iris was great!
Thumbs up from Brazil! Great explanation dude :)
Awesome Dollynho Play! Thanks for commenting!
Bismillah
Thanks Joe for all your hard work and sharing your knowledge. What do you think of the software "portrait pro"? Thanks again!
Always learn something new from your videos thanks for sharing
You're very welcome Las Vegas Photographer! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Great explanations!!
Great vid. I have learned a great deal about products and more importantly about light and seeing possibilities with your vids. I am scheduled to present a portrait photography workshop and want to use constant light , rather than flashes, so beginners can see the lighting in real time. I have not used continuos lights, but are considering that it would be beneficial to beginning students and better for me with logisitc, rather than everyone waiting to use my pocket wizard. A few questions regarding the Savage Edge light pro. light. If I wanted to put it in a softbax, is it possible? Would a Westcott Apollo Orb (taht I presently own) work if I attached an adapter that would accept an umbrella? I'm looking to shoot around f/4 or wider....would the Edge light provide enough light in an interior room? Thanks so much!
Brilliant! Thank you sooooooo much! 👍
Very insightful video, thank you!
You're very welcome Metsha Renois-Strachan! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Just stumbled onto your channel, really enjoy your style and content, keep up the good work
Thank you! Robert Douglas Glad you enjoyed it!
This is a great straight to the point video I loved it thank you
Do you have a video comparing cheaper led lights?
Super info. Ur a blessing.
you're the best! I like to use both continuous lights and modified speed lights depending on what i'm doing :-)
Thanks Joe - very useful info!
You're very welcome William Self! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Thank You for sharing this great video!
You're very welcome mariuszengland! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Why didn't I click this video earlier, could have saved me an hour of my life! Thank you for the helpful video :)
You're very welcome Andrew Bates! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Very nice and informative video, Joe. It covers the waterfront in 9 minutes.
Glad you enjoyed it Mark J! I appreciate the comment!
Joe, quick question..Are speed lights good enough to use in a lets say 36" octobox outdoors for high speed sync.. I ask this because I see people using studio strobes like explorer 600 for example. They say they need the power. But when they use it they say it was 1/8 to 1/4 power. So if it is that low of a setting why not just use a speed light at full power?
many of your videos helps me a lot as a startup. Thank you for sharing knowledge and (kick a** techniques) :)
You're very welcome Pratik Nag! Thank you so much for the kind words!
Joe you r such a rockstar!!! Where can i learn how to get "ice cold" lighting portraits? Thanks
Great info. Thanks Joe
You're very welcome Betchel Photography! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Another amazing video, packed full of interesting points of view. Should also be able to catch tog chat live later .
Awesome Carl Gorton! Thanks for commenting!
Great video Joe!
Thank you! mac740 Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic and extremely informative video. Well done
Thank you! danzbeard Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this informative video
Great perspective on a timely topic. One reservation: In your example using a Savage Edge Lit Pro, it's a 1700 lux panel. I'd think that would only suffice for a fill light, compared to the DigiBee DB800 at 320Ws, strong enough to use as your main strobe. I've used four Dracast 500's (5500 lux each) in my studio, enough light to shoot at 1/200 sec f2.8, but that's almost as bulky as fluorescents.
Could a hybrid best-of-both approach work? Strobes for the key lights and LED's for fill and hair lights? That would suit my style as I'm very picky about fill light modeling and hair fringing, less so about background illumination.
Another well thought out and presented article. Can't wait to see the day when LED flashes start to become more practical and affordable.
Thank you Trevor Baldwin! Fortunately I don't think we will have to wait too long.
Joe I find these 8-10 min videos more efficient than going through the 1 hour plus togchats. Not sure which is more convenient for you but just wanted to give you some audience feed back that you may not find with in your youtube stats. For some reason they also get higher views, probably because people are more willing to take 10 min to watch a video than 1 hr. Lets get you to 100K your content is of the best you can find for photographers.
It's definitely not a matter of convenience Ronald Cortes - I haven't stopped the short tutorials - I still average one per week with a rare exception. The TogChats serve a different purpose and are for a more dedicated audience. A little tip... each TogChat now starts right out of the gate with a 10 - 15 minute lesson and then the rest of the hour is the Q&A - so you can watch the first 10 minutes and ignore the rest if you aren't interested in the Q&A and conversation. Either way - your support is appreciated and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Brilliant info as ever :)
Thank you Ross D! I appreciate the comment.
Thank you for this information
You're very welcome Subrenia Johnson! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Joe!
You're welcome Marc Thibault I appreciate the comment!
Very helpful. I’ve been wanting to learn more studio work and I think LED maybe a great start. Thanks for putting this together. Been really behind on Togchat.
It's ok to be behind Christopher Herrick as long as you are shooting! Remember - shoot first - TH-cam second!
thanks, for the great advise !
You're very welcome Manuel Amir! Be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any videos!
Thank u very much
GREAT VIDEO!!!! Joe how did you mount the speed lite on its side?
Thank you! Willie Mills Glad you enjoyed it! The flash is a LumoPro LP180R speedlight which has a side mount 1/4" 20 thread in the head. amzn.to/2xhM2S4
thank you for this
You're welcome Akbar Raza Syed I appreciate the comment!
I just purchased a Neewer monolight, couldn't find a good review, but because of the price, I jumped into the river. Can't you do any review with cheap gear? Thanks, and thank you for all your help.
Enjoyed. Good information.
Awesome Greg Wolter! Thanks for commenting!
I never considered the pupil to iris ratio. Thanks for the tip!
Do you have any thoughts regarding shoot-through modifiers vs mount style systems? ie.. Bowens vs using a second light-stand to diffuse the light.
You're very welcome Mike Kojoori! I try to use as few light stands as possible - that just makes things clunky. I like easy to use solutions.
Maybe I missed it being mentioned, but some lights allow both strobe and continuous lighting. I use 2 XPLOR 600's that do this.
Joe you are awesome brother...
Right back at ya bjjbebo! Thank you!
Now which one is the best to do photography
I love how you explained it in plain English and didn't talk down to us, like a lot of experienced photographers tend to do. I never met so many condescending people as when I started getting into photography. Everybody wants to tell you how you should make your art. But I want to make art that I like, not art that looks like what everyone thinks it should be.
My pleasure John Barner! Thank you for the kind words!
Thanks to Joe. This is great comparison review.If I want to shot jewelry ,would you recommend LED or Storbe? If LED is best option for me beginner ,do you have any LED brand model for my to buy?
Thanks
These Savage Edge Lights would work great heicosportiv. Jewelry is a tough subject and these lights give you a nice soft light output.
Great Video Joe! I'm a beginner photographer and i think you decided for me to buy continuous lighting.. because i like the hole idea that "what you see is basically what your'e going to get"
Thank you Joel Delaney! Continuous lighting is a GREAT way to learn how to "see" light!
This is the exact reason I'm tempted to buy some cheap clamp lights like he mentioned in the video, it probably won't look good without modifiers but I imagine the hard light makes it easier to distinguish between different lighting styles (rembrandt, loop, butterfly) than a nice soft light. I feel like I should be able to readily recognize and set up basic styles first before dropping money on expensive equipment. I already own the yongnuo version of canon's flagship speedlight which is a fraction of the cost but I find it takes me a bit longer than I'd like to get the lighting "dialed in". I don't like burning through camera batteries and flash batteries taking test exposures lol.
Sir. I just wanted to say thank you for this explanation, as you said in the video i have a dilema to buy led or strobes. Now i know what to buy, thank you very much :)
You're very welcome Wanda Widow! I am glad it helped!
Great video!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it Amanda Saez! Thanks for the kind words!
Definitely support the idea of other people buying continuous light sources and carrying them around everywhere. I can just piggyback off them half the time and shoot high ISO. Then, if I need the actual power, versatility and lower annoyance factor of non-continuous light somewhere I can just use my own.
Perfect!
LOL Wilson Newman - downside to that plan is that you have no control - you better hope those people are great at lighting.
nice tutorial very helpful
Thank you! Young Age Glad you enjoyed it!
Hello Joe, I'm pondering on getting the Tokina 100mm 2.8, your thoughts, please. I'm a Nikon shooter at the moment, I'm using the 60mm and 24/70. Also, trying to find a good mono-light with bower mount, that wireless at a low price. Thank You Again.
Mr. McMurray while I was still a Nikon shooter the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro was my go to portrait lens. I love the focal length and that lens is the sharpest full frame lens I ever used. In addition - it sells for under $350.00 - amzn.to/2FTaQ4W As for a monolight - thats an easy answer - watch this video: th-cam.com/video/UM875oPyyz4/w-d-xo.html
Excellent vid brother! Rule one: Gear doesn't make a better shot. We say that here in Florida too! It's like the pirate code of photography. lol I've been doing this for 9 years now and still evolving with lighting techniques. Both photography and cinematography. You can never master lighting (or sound)... you can just get really good at it. ;) Thanks for the knowledge my friend. See you on the next TogChat.
Great video
Thank you Nash Mascaro! I appreciate the comment.
Hey Joe. From what I've understand is that led light does not have the full spectrum of actual daylight. That it makes a film look less good ( more green or red). Is it in the more high price range led's that this goes away? Or will it remain with every led and do you always have to work on the corlors in computer edit software? I film with a Canon 750D, want to film more often in a space of 5x5 meters. More daylight lamps will use a lot of space. Now I have one key light, day light lamp. (on a budget) Wonder if I want to invest in more daylight lamps or LED. Can't seem to get a good grip on this. Thanks in advanced! Also thanks for the last 2 answers. Kind regards, Frank, The Netherlands, Europe
Frank van der Velden - my advice is stop reading technical crap on the internet. I have not done color correction in the shots of or with the leds that you see in the video. I use LED's regularly with no issues and will do the same over the next few videos. If you want to be a TECHtographer, keep reading that crap. If you want to be a photographer - get an led light with a CRI around 95 and you will be good to go.
I made a lovely pre wedding shoot with just Godox 520 speed light and a umbrella diffuser .
I am looking for an adequate continuous light for baby photography. Can you add big soft boxes to the LED Lights, or have you tried the Jinbei EF 200LED?
I have not used the Jinbei Sandra Ramirez. You can add a softbox to led lights that are designed to have a softbox added. Example from my videos: amzn.to/2iyyeuk th-cam.com/video/ph2hyiq2tO0/w-d-xo.html
¡Master!
Hi Joe. How about the Rotolights? Aeos or Neo 2, LED + Flash any thoughts on that? I respect your opinion a lot. thank you.
Not a fan of the Rotolights rolo17. That could change - they seem to be leading the way for the flash LED combo - but its not ready for primetime in my opinion.
Like the way to explain, if tell uz the fact & ur experience its going to be great. I am from Goa ( India ) I have studied photography.
Thank you Mayenkar Rohan! I appreciate the comment.
Love your Dressing sense sir
Thank you Priyesh Koya! I appreciate the comment.
I really struggled today to get a strobe low enough for a background when I wanted to work at f2.8 in a confided space. Looking for at least one led light and I think the future is a mixture.
I mix LED's and strobes all the time Mark Harris - in tight spaces that is often the most eloquent solution. Take a look at the Interfit Honey Badger. th-cam.com/video/UM875oPyyz4/w-d-xo.html
Joe Edelman Brilliant idea, read some of the specs and they say the led can work as a stand alone light. Thank you very much indeed Joe.
I use both systems..but for the moment I prefer the flashs. Maybe will rethink about it in, let's say 5 years ? thx 4 the video !
Thanks for commenting walo Thoenen!
Great video very helpful.. what lighting do you recommend for photobooth & for outdoor photobooth at night?
Thank you mrbowtie64! Honestly those Savage Edge Lights are really sweet. Thin profile and easy to use.
Thanks for your help joe, i also viewed your videos on digibee & honey badger.. since all 3 are within the same price range what do you think about me using one of those flashes & mounting on top of photo booth case?
Joe Edelman
It is an option mrbowtie64. You want me to to tell you it would be great - I won't tell you that. A flashlight would be great if it is used correctly. I don't know what your booth looks like or how it is setup.
What is the model of the goose-neck that is holding the speed ring?
The gooseneck comes with the ring light Robert Jones - it is a brand new light from Smith Victor: www.smithvictor.com/products/detail.asp?prodid=722&id=72
Awesome video Joe, though I was surprised you did not push the DB800s as a great hybrid solution when recommending starting with LED lights rather than strobes/flashes. It seems to me to be the best of both worlds (though maybe led modeling light portion is not quite as powerful as a dedicated LED panel)?
Been there done that tosvus! th-cam.com/video/oMBwmRz9_BQ/w-d-xo.html I will be talking more about the DigiBee as part of this series. Stay tuned!
Thanks, I just discovered your channel, but I'm hooked! Super informative, nice length, and great personality!
Excellent tosvus!
Hi Joe. Love your videos. This question is a little bit 'left of centre'. I have a 'Lola' as well to practice lighting in my home studio but she is 6' tall! (in 2 parts) I have noticed yours - how have you attached her to the base shown. Thanks (from 'downunder')
Joe, what are your thoughts on using LED and FLASH in combination for a shoot?
Light is light L. Robert Westeen - so as long as it meets your needs, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it in my opinion. I have been mixing strobes with LEDS and Fluorescents for years.
Do you think LED panels would be good for lighting a green screen? Instead of using a softbox.
Eine wirklich hervorragende Gegenüberstellung der beiden unterschiedlichen Systeme 👌🏼
Vielen Dank für die freundlichen Worte Toby Horn!
Thanks for the german answer ;P