The Best Photography Lighting Tools
Whether you are a budding photographer who is just starting out or an experienced shutterbug who's looking to turn a hobby into a business, having the right lighting equipment is key. The proper lighting can mean the difference between an amateur photo and a professional-quality photo, so it's important to pick out the right gear. Of course, photography equipment doesn't exactly come cheap and the sheer amount of equipment out there can be overwhelming. You'll definitely want to make sure that you're investing your dollars wisely, which is why you've come to the right place: Here, we've rounded up the five best photography lighting kits, grouped by category.
LimoStudio Continuous Lighting Kit
The Best of the Best
Photography umbrellas are super-effective at softening and spreading light out evenly, and eliminating glare and spots—and the LimoStudio lighting kit is the best on all counts. The umbrella reflector is made from very high-quality nylon, which helps to diffuse the light and spread it as evenly as possible, resulting in photos that capture the full spectrum of color. Aside from the reflector, this kit comes with a max-height light stand that’s crafted from premium aluminum alloy, along with a carry case and light-holding socket. All that, and this kit is very affordably priced. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or products, this lighting kit is the perfect all-in-one product to help you take gorgeous, well-lit photographs that stand out from the crowd.
Pros:
- The umbrella reflector is made from high-quality nylon
- Spreads light out evenly
- Very effective at eliminating glare
- Wonderful at softening the light and casting gentle shadows
- Comes with a max-height light stand that’s both sturdy and easy to transport
- Excellent value
Cons:
- This kit is really best for beginners; photography pros might not get the best usage out of it
HPUSN Softbox Lighting Kit
High-Quality Photos Are In Your Future
The HPUSN lighting kit comes with everything you need to help you take your photos to the next level, providing you with soft, perfect, gentle lighting from multiple angles. This equipment does a wonderful job of scattering the light and creating soft shadows, thanks to the high-quality PET materials used; the light is perfectly contained within the box. Also, handily, you can shoot at different angles using the adjustable stand and rotatable head. That way, you’re better able to get the perfect shot, every time.
Pros:
- Softbox is made from top-notch materials
- Energy-efficient bulbs that last approximately 8,000 hours
- Independent locking knob and 210-degree rotatable head allows you to shoot from different angles
- Creates the perfect soft, natural light indoors
Cons:
- This kit is really best for portraits or still life shots
Sensyne 10″ Ring Light with Tripod
Selfie kings and queens will love having Sensyne’s selfie ring light on hand when the urge to snap a selfie strikes. This dimmable ring light has 10 brightness levels to make sure your eyes sparkle. It also features three light colors, so you can easily find your best lighting. If that’s not enough of a game-changer, consider the remote control that eliminates the infamous “selfie arm” from the borders of your photos. Considering the price and the quality of the light and tripod, this kit is a must-have for any smartphone portrait-maker.
Pros:
- The 10-inch ring light can be set to either cool white, warm yellow, or daylight
- The tripod adjusts easily and can stand as tall as 50 inches and as short as 15.7 inches
- The remote shutter connects to smartphones via Bluetooth
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- The tripod isn’t very sturdy
Neewer 2-Pack Photography Lighting Kit
Grab-and-go lighting
Easy to carry to and from photo shoots, this Neewer lighting kit comes with LED panel lights, gel filters, and two tripods. It makes for a great starter kit if you’re just beginning your photography journey. The soft lighting is fantastic for photographing portraits and you can even use it for filmmaking. Best of all, the lights are USB-powered, so you can plug them into any USB wall charger to get the power you need.
Pros:
- Compact in size yet surprisingly bright
- Comes with eight gel filters in four colors
- Affordable
Cons:
- Doesn’t include a wall adapter
- We wish they came with a storage case
Neewer 2 Pieces Bi-color Video Light and Stand Kit
Let's get professional
If you’re ready to take your photography to the next level, you don’t have to sell the family farm. While these premium panel lights from Neewer aren’t cheap, they provide an outstanding value for the price. Each light features a panel of 660 LEDs surrounded by barn doors to help you focus and diffuse the beam of light as needed. They also come with lightweight aluminum stands that can each be adjusted from 26 to 75 inches in height. You can also ditch the gels. These lights feature a variable white balance that ranges from 3200K to 5600K to match the vibe you’re going for.
Pros:
- Easy to set up in a jiffy
- Each light comes with its own carrying case
- Super bright and powerful
Cons:
- There is no color temperature meter, so you’ll need your own light meter to achieve a precise temperature
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right photography lighting tools?
It’s important to nail down which type of lighting you need, depending on what you’re taking pictures of. For example, continuous lighting kits are primarily used for still photography, since this type of kit helps you to accurately visualize how your lighting will look before you press the shutter button. Speedlight lighting kits, on the other hand, are great for action shots since they’re faster than regular flashes. Size matters too, of course: You may want something more portable and sleeker than giant studio equipment, or vice versa, depending on how serious your photography habit (or business) is.
What are the different types of lighting, and which one is best for me?
Flash, LED, incandescent, and fluorescent are the main types of artificial lighting and they each serve a different purpose (and each has its own pros and cons). If you’re just starting, most experts recommend LEDs, as these are great for most lighting situations. That being said, it’s best to do a deep-dive into each type of lighting, taking into consideration what type of photography you’ll be doing.
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