Nikon® Creative Lighting System Digital Field Guide, Third Edition

Chapter 5: Setting Up a Portable Studio

Given the recent advancements in digital flash technology, as well as the abundance of accessories created for working with flash, today’s photographers no longer need to break their backs lugging around huge power packs, generators, and cabling. With a small to moderate investment, and careful planning, you can build a collection of gear that will enable you to create studio-quality lighting anywhere. Further, this portable studio will allow you to take what you need without first stopping by your local U-Haul.

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel as far as what to buy and how to get it safely to your next shoot. Visit a few of your favorite photographers’ websites and see if they mention the specific gear they use and how they transport it. If they don’t mention it, contact them and see if they have any suggestions.

A portable studio allows you to get professional-looking images anywhere.

Introduction to the Portable Studio

Initially (and, perhaps, for the remainder of your time and interest in photography), it’s easy to overdo it by purchasing and lugging around a store’s worth of equipment when, in reality, you can capture amazing images with just a small amount of gear.

A portable studio gives you, at minimum, a main light source, a fill light or reflector to fill in shadows, a couple of stands, and a softbox or umbrella to soften ...