Continuous Lighting: Photography & Video

Continuous lighting equipment, or constant lights, provides a steady source of light that is always on for both photography and video shooting applications. Unlike strobe lighting, which emits a short burst of light when triggered, continuous lighting provides a steady stream of light that allows photographers and videographers to see exactly what their shots will look like before they start shooting.

Continuous lighting offers several advantages over strobe lighting in addition to real-time preview. Constant lights deliver versatility for both photo and video, and they produce more natural-looking light. Continuous lighting is also easier for beginners to work with and requires less technical expertise than professional strobe lighting equipment.

We carry a wide selection of continuous lighting equipment with various light sources, including LED, tungsten, and fluorescent lights. When using continuous photography lighting, it's important to pay attention to factors such as color temperature, brightness, and the quality of light produced. You may need to experiment with different types of continuous lighting and settings to achieve the desired look and feel for your photos or videos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Is the Most Efficient Form of Continuous Lighting?

LED lights are the most efficient form of continuous lighting currently available. Unlike tungsten or fluorescent lights, LED continuous lighting consumes minimal energy and produces negligible heat. Since continuous lighting remains on for the entire shoot, the heat and energy efficiency of LED lights are a significant consideration for both safety and budgetary purposes.

Do I Need a Special Power Source for Continuous Output Lighting?

Most continuous output lighting systems are designed to be user-friendly and can easily be plugged into standard electrical outlets. However, some high-power models, especially those used in professional settings, may require a dedicated electrical circuit to handle the increased load.

Can Continuous Lighting Be Used Outdoors?

Absolutely, continuous lighting can be utilized in outdoor settings, but there are important factors to consider. The most crucial is the power source. While many continuous lighting systems are designed for indoor use and require electrical outlets, there are battery-powered LED continuous lighting options specifically designed for outdoor use.

Can Continuous Lighting Produce Professional-Quality Results?

Absolutely. High-quality continuous lighting equipment can produce results comparable to strobe lighting, especially in controlled environments. With the right set-up and attention to factors like color temperature and brightness, continuous photography lighting can yield professional-grade photos and videos.

How Do I Balance Continuous Lighting with Ambient Light?

Balancing continuous lighting with ambient light is easier than you might think. Because you can see the effects of continuous lighting in real time, you can easily adjust the intensity and direction of your lights with internal settings and light modifiers to complement or counteract existing light conditions.

Can I Use Continuous Lighting for Portraits?

Yes, continuous lighting is a popular choice for portrait photography as it offers a natural-looking, versatile, and user-friendly setup that can help you capture the perfect portrait. Constant lights also make for a more comfortable experience for your subjects, as continuous lighting can be less startling and harsh on their eyes.

Can I Use Continuous Lighting and Strobe Lighting Together?

Absolutely, using a combination of continuous lighting and strobe lighting is a common practice among professionals to achieve a balanced and dynamic lighting setup. Each type of lighting offers its own set of advantages, and using them together allows you to capitalize on the best of both worlds.

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Continuous Lighting

Ushio ETC Lamp - 150 watts 120 volts

Ushio EBW 500W Photoflood Light Bulb

Ushio ECT PhotoFlood Lamp 500w 120v 3200k

Ushio Clear 250W, 120V, push and turn, 2 contact base bulb.

Aputure 4 ft. INFINIBAR PB12 RGB LED Light Panel 8-Light Kit

Arri SkyPanel S60-C LED Softlight with Manual Yoke (Black, Edison)

Rotolight Titan X2 LED DMX Light Panel (Standard Yoke)

Aputure 2 ft. INFINIBAR PB6 RGB LED Light Panel 8-Light Kit

Arri L7-C LE2 LED Fresnel (Silver/Blue, Manual Mount)

Nanlux Dyno 650C RGBW LED Panel

Nanlux Evoke 1200B LED Bi-Color Spot Light Kit with Trolley Case

Rotolight Titan X1 RGBWW LED Light Rental Kit

Arri SkyPanel S60-C LED Softlight with Manual Yoke (Blue/Silver, Edison)

Arri Orbiter LED Light with Open Face without Len, Yoke, Cable (Blue/Silver)

Nanlite PavoTube II 15X 2 ft. RGBWW LED Pixel Tube with Internal Battery 8 Light Kit

Nanlux Evoke 1200 LED Light

Arri SkyPanel S30-C LED Softlight (Blue/Silver, Edison)

Rosco Silk 210 with US IEC AC Supply Cable

Arri L7-C Color LED Fresnel (Stand Mount)

Nanlite Forza 60C RGBLAC LED Spotlight 3-Light Kit with Rolling Hard Case

Aputure Nova P300c RGBWW LED Panel Kit

Aputure LS 600d Pro Light Storm Daylight LED Light (V-Mount)

Nanlite PavoTube II 60X 8 ft. RGBWW LED Pixel Tube with Internal Battery 2 Light Kit

Fiilex Q500-DC 5in Fresnel LED Light - Open Box

Nanlite Forza 720 Daylight LED Monolight with Rolling Case

Nanlux TK-280B 280W Bi-Color Soft Panel LED Light

Rotolight Anova Pro 2 Bi-Color Standard LED Light

Light and Motion Stella Pro 5000 RF spLED 5600K LED Light

Nanlite Forza 720 Daylight LED Monolight

Nanlite PavoTube II 15X 2 ft. RGBWW LED Pixel Tube with Internal Battery 4 Light Kit

Rosco DMG Lumiere DASH Pocket RGB LED Light Panel (4-Light Kit)

Parabolix OMNI LED Light

Nanlite MixPanel 150 RGBWW LED Panel

Lowel Caselite 4 Fluorescent Tungsten Kit

Litepanels 1X1 Mono LED Flood Light

Nanlite PavoTube II 30C 4 ft. RGB LED Tube Light (4-Light Kit)