Hi Everyone, Eugene here with Darkroom Software. In my latest how-to video, I cover an important and often overlooked topic for photo booths – Lighting. Properly lit photos are the secret ingredient that can make or break your photo booth events and activations. In our latest Back to Basics video, I will walk you through three popular lighting options — speed lights, studio strobes, and constant lights — to help you choose the right setup for your events.
1. Speed Lights
Speed lights are compact and mount directly to your camera. They’re great for on-the-go setups, but they can be inconsistent in a photo booth environment. TTL metering often misjudges exposure when the background or clothing is too dark or too light. Plus, the accessory options are limited compared to larger strobes.
2. Studio Strobes (Monolights)
Studio strobes are the workhorse of professional photo booths. They deliver consistent power, fast recycling times, and allow for a wide variety of lighting modifiers — from umbrellas to softboxes — that create flattering, cloud-like soft light. They also include handy features like modeling lights to assist with focusing in darker environments.
3. Constant Lights (LEDs)
Constant lights shine continuously, making them a go-to for video booths. Additionally, many modern LEDs let you control brightness and color temperature (even RGB effects) from your phone. While they’re not ideal for standard photo booths due to eye strain, they’re excellent for hybrid setups that combine video and photo capture.
Key Takeaways:
-
Use speed lights for lightweight portability, but be mindful of inconsistent exposures.
-
Choose studio strobes for reliability, power, and versatility with modifiers.
-
Pick constant lights for video booths or hybrid setups with both video and photos.
-
Always prioritize safety: avoid touching bulbs, be cautious with older power packs, and never leave hot lights unattended.
Pro Tip:
If your flash isn’t firing inside Darkroom, check your Live View settings. Make sure it pauses for at least 1–2 seconds to allow the flash to trigger properly.
👉 Watch the full video here:
Understanding lighting basics will give you sharper, more consistent results in your booth. Ultimately, making your clients happy! Let us know what lighting setup looks like in the comments! If you have questions or need any assistance contact our support team by emailing support@darkroomsoftware.com