When I started taking pictures of Chester and me for collages, all I had to light our magic journey was a $25 blogger lamp. The pictures I got back then were far from perfect. The main problems I struggled with were:
Noisy images
Terrifying colors of skin and fur
Chester = a black hole
The degree of these problems depends on the camera you use. Professional cameras perform better in bad lighting conditions, but better doesn’t mean perfect. When I started making collages, I had a $500 old camera, the Fujifilm XT2. I shot with ISO 1600 at f/1.4 and got absolute rubbish in terms of colors. The color of my skin and Chester’s fur was a grayish-orange-magenta mix, and Photoshop didn’t help.
The reason for the color problems was a combination of the cheap blogger lamp I used and the ceiling lamp in my apartment. Everything changed when I bought my first camera flash, the Godox TT350, for $76. It was the best $76 investment of my life. No kidding.
So, if you are struggling with light like I was, check out these three simple lighting patterns for a pet apartment photo session.
Option 1: Flash pointed at the ceiling
Connect a camera flash to your camera and point it at the ceiling.
You can do this even if you are using a flash for the first time.
The light will be pretty flat, with no drama.
Options to buy: Godox ThinkLite/Ving. I use the Godox TT685, and my old TT350 is still working well.
Nuance: If your ceiling is higher than 3m, go for a more powerful flash with a guide number starting from 60m (ISO 100).
Option 2: Near the window with a reflector.
Put a reflector in front of your window. Make sure the dog sits facing you, as shown below.
You don’t need to buy photography lights.
Works only in sunny apartments.
If you are completely satisfied with side window light, you may not need a reflector, but I prefer to use it anyway, especially with dark dogs.
Options to buy: Any silver flat reflector with a diagonal of more than 1.5m works perfectly.
Option 3. Flash + Reflector.
This light pattern is my favorite because it works everywhere. The main disadvantage of it is that you need to buy a certain equipment.
You will need:
A flash that can work with a transmitter, for example, the Godox TT (350, 685, etc.).
A flash transmitter (you can buy it with the flash, from the same brand).
An umbrella for photographers (diagonal at least 1.5m), silver or white.
A tripod (higher than 1.9m) with the umbrella holder.
A silver reflector (diagonal at least 1.5m).
Nuance: Position the flash higher than the model’s head but bend it towards the model.
I wish you success in starting to take stunning pictures at home!
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