Tech Check Continuous light
Chances are you’ve heard this mentioned at some point, but what does it actually mean?
What is continuous lighting?
Continuous lighting is any form of artificial lighting that can be switched on to create a constant illumination of the subject.
What advantage does it have?
When you use continuous lighting, it’s easy to see the result you are going to get. This means you can move your model/subject, or move the lights in relation to them, in order to achieve the look you want. Plus, you don’t need a remote trigger or cable to fire the lights at the same time the camera takes its shot, as you do with flash lighting.
Does it have any downsides?
It’s not as powerful as flash lighting, so you may need to shoot at your maximum aperture and use a high ISO to achieve a fast enough shutter speed – especially if your subject is moving and you are handholding the camera. Modern LED lights are relatively cool, but older continuous lights can get hot, which can be uncomfortable for your model.
Is continuous lighting only useful in a studio setting?
No, you can use it anywhere, as long as it is either battery powered, or you have access to electricity. Small LED continuous lighting units are great to have with you at all times and can be used for anything from makeshift portraiture to nature photography.
What kind of colour temperature do you get with continuous LED lighting?
In many cases you are able to vary the lighting from daylight-balanced to something a lot warmer. Of course, you can also use gels to change the colours, as well as use both commercial and homemade light modifiers to allow you to be more creative with your results.