How to choose the right light

Start with what you shoot. For video, you need continuous light. For still photography, both LED and flash work well. If you want to see how the shadows and reflections change as you move the light, start with LED. If you need to freeze movement, light a group or balance bright daylight, consider flash.

Continuous LED light for video and stills

The Elinchrom LED 100 C is a good choice if you shoot both stills and video. For an interview, adjust the colour temperature to match the light in the room. For product photography, watch the reflections on the product as you move the light or adjust your softbox. RGB mode lets you add colour to a background, and the built-in battery gives you flexibility on location.

Mains-powered flash for studio photography

If you usually work near a power outlet, a mains-powered monolight lets you shoot throughout the day without managing batteries. Choose a model based on the space you need to light and how quickly you work.

• D-Lite RX One and RX 4 are good starting points for a first studio. Choose the RX One for portraits and small products with the light close to your subject. The RX 4 gives you more output for groups or for shooting at smaller apertures.
• ELC 500 suit photographers who change setups frequently. With a compatible transmitter, TTL flash metering gives you a starting exposure that you can fine-tune manually. Choose the ELC 500 when you need to cover a larger area.
• ELC Pro HD 500 and 1000 are designed for fast-paced studio work. The Pro HD 1000 is a good fit for full-length fashion or commercial shoots with large softboxes and small apertures.

Battery-powered flash for location photography

For weddings, outdoor portraits or shoots at a client’s premises, battery power lets you position the flash wherever the light looks best. The choice comes down to how much you want to carry and how much flash output you need.

• Elinchrom ONE (131 Ws) is the compact choice for photographers who travel light and work with a softbox close to their subject.
• Elinchrom THREE (261 Ws) gives you roughly one stop more flash energy than the ONE. That extra output is useful when you move the light farther back for a wider portrait.
• Elinchrom FIVE (522 Ws) gives you more output for bright daylight and larger groups. Its removable battery lets you swap in a spare during longer shoots.

What kind of light do you want to create?

Once you have chosen your light, think about the shadows you want. For a softly lit portrait, bring a large softbox close to your subject. For a harder light with crisp shadows, use a compact reflector. If you need to move the light farther back to cover a group, allow for the extra output that greater distance requires.