Flashes (Strobes) vs Continuous Lights for Photography

Рет қаралды 100,489

6 жыл бұрын

Chelsea compares Strobes (also known as flashes or flashlights) to continuous lights. They each have their advantages and disadvantages, but we'll help you figure out which is right for you.
The strobe we used is the Godox AD600 (sdp.io/ad600). The continuous light we used is the Aputure 300D (sdp.io/300d). Both have a Bowens mount so they can take the same light modifiers.
Here's a quick summary:
Strobes are far more powerful than continuous lights. They're also smaller and lighter. The battery can last all day, and they stay cool.
However, continuous lights work with any camera without a remote, even smartphones. They work for both stills and video. Continuous lights are always visible, making them easier to arrange before shooting (because you can see the light).

Пікірлер: 166

@ardentdfender4116 5 жыл бұрын

As someone new to photography and just bought my first real camera today a Sony A73, I’m gonna be honest when I say I don’t always understand what seem like jumbo jumbo in many the videos. But videos like these I can clearly understand and get that knowledge easily clearly seeing the difference between two lights and it’s effects. More these kind of videos are helpful in between all the pro videos.

@E_Ten 6 жыл бұрын

Another benefit of continuous lights over strobes is pupil constriction. Continuous lights means a smaller pupil and therefore a bigger more colorful iris. You can even see this demonstrated in the video thumbnail. Here eyes look more colorful in continuous lights. I learned this for some macro photography of the eye.

@lesotter7241 6 жыл бұрын

Agreed, but for some situations (especially boudoir) when you want to keep a dreamy, arguably more sexy look, dilated pupils carry a message!

@JoaoSilva22222 4 жыл бұрын

great insight, never thought of that!!

@thtfhujtutu8807 4 жыл бұрын

It's true, however when zooming in on the eye I often notice some tears welling up in the subjects eyes towards the end of the seesion. Even if they say they're perfectly fine you can't control those bodily reactions and it's a pain in post.

@royalkingc 3 жыл бұрын

If you use a the lamp mode on a strobe or just be in a room with enough light while shooting with a strobe, you get the same thing.

@zachchristopher92 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! One advantage of a strobe that was missed, however, is the ability to freeze action in a shot. I know someone touched on it in a comment already, but this is extremely important when trying to capture movement (such as a model flipping their hair). Not criticizing, just adding useful information 😊

@KahL1One 2 жыл бұрын

To be fair that's predominantly based on shutter speed and the amount of light that you're using. You can get the same result using a high output continuous bulb and lowering your shutter speed on the camera.

@Trout-yz5bk 3 ай бұрын

Finaly, LEDs lost to something

@jagerardi 6 жыл бұрын

Just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for the free Stunning Digital Photography. That's one hell of a generous giveaway, and I'm sure all of us that got it are appreciative. Thanks again, ..Joe

@matheusmoura9817 6 жыл бұрын

very good! as always Tony and Chelsea making great instructive videos for all of us to learn a little more! Thanks guy's!

@glennedward2201 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you this is really great information and you brought up some valid points. We are setting up a photogrammetry object scanner and debated over the two. The bigger concern is getting a strobe to keep up with 60-120fps constant global shutter triggering (dozens of photos every second or two) which brings to concern recharge of strobe and the amount of flash’s necessary to keep up with continuous control besides the additional control board we would require for multi trigger control. Knowing that the same quality can be achieved I think it makes much more sense to utilize continuous studio lighting since the subject is an object and it will be far easier to calibrate proper lighting needed for continuos frames for 1-2 minute photo shoots. Thank you videos like this are helpful.

@ljaproductions07 5 жыл бұрын

Very Helpful video, thank you for your time and explanation!

@SarahBaldwinMUA 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this, I shoot with soft boxes. I love playing around with them and having them in different lighting set ups. I have got some lovely images from doing this. I am looking into strobes too. I do mostly studio shoots.

@WatchThatFirstStep 6 жыл бұрын

Still learning the various ways to utilize speedlight, but your video showed the options I have with my continuous light kit. Thanks.

@jesusantezana5714 6 жыл бұрын

Great video! For me I usually go for a flash when outdoors during daylight but at night I use my rotolight neo 2 I think it gives much softer light and goes better with the mood.

@thelumiereacademyofphotogr9560 6 жыл бұрын

Love the presentation 🤗🤗

@shanescott3168 6 жыл бұрын

Good video and I bought SDP at full price because you guys do good work on our behalf!

@HaimGreen 6 жыл бұрын

Great one , simple and short .

@geekdomo 6 жыл бұрын

This is a great comparison, mainly because I use both myself same beauty dish on my AD600. My LEDs are panels though. Thanks for the vid!

@facu_eze_peralta 6 жыл бұрын

NIce video. Like always nice job guys! ♥

@HS-fk6hb 6 жыл бұрын

Very helpful! Thanks Chelsea!

@parissoliz658 5 жыл бұрын

Omg finally a video that was simple and made sense ty!

@Thunderbolt03 6 жыл бұрын

Great tips and you're looking so damn good today Chelsea

@srowe829 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for another awesome video!!!!!

@CarlAustinGregory 3 жыл бұрын

Exactly what I was looking for in a tutorial. Thanks.

@rgarlinyc 6 жыл бұрын

Great tips. thanks a lot Chelsea!

@mohammedullahrasel4662 6 жыл бұрын

Just another helpful one...appreciate it

@lylecameron5578 6 жыл бұрын

Great video. I have some LEDs for video but when the grandkids arrive for a photo shoot, I go to strobes. Lots of light allowing faster shutter, low ISO, and narrow aperture for sharpness.

@bassemelkashef5425 5 жыл бұрын

thanks for the informative rare content,,also the cute stuff in-between

@rueben68 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the awesome tip. I had a similar situation last week while I didn’t have a model like yours I did have bumble bee from the transformers lol

@artmaltman 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent comparison and summary of continuous vs strobe. Timely topic as continuous prices decline (slowly). Continuous light (e.g. Peter Hurley Flexkit) can be extraordinarily beautiful for headshots. I am often tempted ....

@shakazulu2442 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony and Chelsea thanks for this very informative video. I was wondering if you guys have ever worked with or have an opinion on the rotolight products( neo 2, anova etc) I would love to get your honest opinion on them. Most of the video reviews on it all seem biased

@benjshields 6 жыл бұрын

Nice video guys!!

@KyleNelson 6 жыл бұрын

At my studio I have both flash (Paul c buff) and continuous light (fovitec). I shoot portraits and product photography and use each for different reasons. I typically always lean towards flash as the end result has a cleaner finish in my experience. Thanks for sharing the comparison!

@howardmaryon-davis666 6 жыл бұрын

Kyle Nelson I do the same, my studio has huge amounts of flash power (24k joules) and vast softboxes, but I often wheel,out the arrilights and use diffusers and bounceboards for the more organic look I get. And when I need a fresnel spotlight, nothing else can give me the same effect.

@henlyforbesly2176 4 жыл бұрын

Very clear explanation. Thank you

@Johnve33 6 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@fuzzynenja 5 жыл бұрын

There's an upside to continuous light that you didn't mention. When shooting with continuous - it makes the models iris constrict so when you take your shot you get more 'iris realestate' which can be moving for portraits. With strobes, the iris dilates and when the flash hits, you get less color / 'iris realestate' in the eye.

@royalkingc 3 жыл бұрын

If you use the lamp mode from the strobe or if you’re in a room with light you can get the same

@talyagutmanelk6329 Жыл бұрын

Great video!!! Thank you!!!

@felixbelanger2659 6 жыл бұрын

Isn't another advantage of strobes to freeze the subject at slower shutter speeds when you want more ambient light? (dragging the shutter)

@TonyAndChelsea 6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, wish I'd mentioned that strobes give you a bit more sharpness if the model isn't perfectly still.

@mrcraggle 6 жыл бұрын

I was hoping this would come up. I did a test shoot a couple of weeks ago with some UV lighting mixed with strobe. Essentially, one half of the models face had UV paint on it that I used with a continuous UV light while the other I used a gridded AD200. It wasn't until I imported the photos into LR that I noticed that the relatively low shutter speed (around 1/80) resulted in the UV paint was soft and slightly blurred while the side of her face shot with strobe was pin sharp. You can use the two in tandem to create some really unique and creative shots. One really cool example I've seen is of a model in a long dress where the top half of her body is lit with a strobe and is super sharp while the bottom half of her is lit with continuous lighting and the dress is being blown about to give it a sense of movement. TL;DR - Using both strobe and continuous lighting can create cool effects.

@felixbelanger2659 6 жыл бұрын

mrcraggle that's an awesome tip! Thanks

@manjitp 6 жыл бұрын

Not just that. Check the Iris of the model in both photos.

@felixbelanger2659 6 жыл бұрын

Sure, you could just ask the model to close her eyes before the shot though

@rhonaldjr 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. I do have a question (just thinking about entering studio photography - as a hobby). I use gfx-50s and thinking about this (Neewer 2 Packs Dimmable Bi-Color 480 LED Video Light Stand Lighting Kit) for newborn, portraits, headshots. What are your thoughts? Do the continuous light (the one I have mentioned) handle anything above 1/125 - say 1/250 shutter speed? Yes, I do have your book :-)

@DavcoMediaTV 5 жыл бұрын

You can always turn continuous lighting off for a while to give the model a rest. That's what I do.

@banana-ic3rl 6 жыл бұрын

this is so helpful!!

@jessestarks3128 6 жыл бұрын

Nice video and LED lights aren't the only continuous lights you can use. Fluorescents, (for the deep-pocketed) HMIs and good old fashioned tungsten are alternatives. Thanks for what you do!

@pauljohnston4494 5 жыл бұрын

Hi, I tried to get the free copy of SDP E-book as advertised in the video but it was coming up as costing $9.99, is there something that I am doing wrong in the order process?

@twisted0790 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing ❤️❤️

@parissoliz658 5 жыл бұрын

Can you link a kit with continuous lighting kits? And or link for singles?

@joshuacoppersmith 6 жыл бұрын

Shooting into a heavy back-lit scene or really needing amazing white balance, I can see wanting $1,000 continuous lighting. But in less demanding setups and knowing you can do some tweaking in LR, how much fill can you get with two brooder lamps and some wax paper as diffusers? In this age of LED, with different color temperature bulbs for a few bucks at discount stores, maybe the whole paradigm is shifting.

@YvesRecour 6 жыл бұрын

For me, it depends on the situation. Continues light can be handy if you have to work fast. But indeed, you don’t want your client to get blind in front of your camera :) Nice comprising, and thanks for the book. You can keep the camera, just switched from Nikon to Sony. One switch par year will do ;)

@Nox444 6 жыл бұрын

Can y'all please review the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 for Sony E? I always prefer y'alls reviews.

@esmokebaby 6 жыл бұрын

Awsome looks like ill be getting strobes as thos seem more affordable at least what you showed anyways i have 2 octaboxs that was 32$ on amazon lets say they are only 50 watts they do the trick in darker ambient light but Brenner ambient light you can't tell they're even on in the octa boxes suck I made a square softbox out of cardboard and it gives a better effect and look just don't have a stand to hold it up

@syahmirga 4 жыл бұрын

omg thanks so much for this!

@abovegroundlevelvideograph1933 6 жыл бұрын

I use continuous light for both photography and videography. Flash/strobes intimidate me but I'm tasing the plunge! Maybe you guys can review the Profit A1 if you haven't already?? Pleeeeeaaase? ;O)

@roganthoerson1909 6 жыл бұрын

It is easier to make a dyi contunous light pannel than a strobe. And then continuous light may become cheap. You can can change white balance/tint of continuous light by adding light (rgb led) while for strobe it is mostly by reducing light (gels). Some continous light can be used in strobe mode, not very much the opposite.

@JP_Adames 6 жыл бұрын

Love your videos. They've really helped me out a lot. Thanks

@tommys6126 6 жыл бұрын

Strobes and speedlights all day for me , great video.

@gewglesux 6 жыл бұрын

Do you use godox or Pocket wizards? I like to use strobes too.. mainly because thats what i have.

@tommys6126 6 жыл бұрын

Full Godox system sk300ii, 2x tt685, and xpro trigger all for Canon

@gewglesux 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the reply..... and issue with customer service? or anything? Thanks.

@tommys6126 6 жыл бұрын

Live in the UK so bought from UK dealers off eBay and Amazon all good service and good prices.

@gewglesux 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the reply!

@benjaminsarcofilms 4 жыл бұрын

What about the videolight Godox sl-60?

@elnath1978 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, is that a light dome or a softbox? What model?

@bbtank3000 5 жыл бұрын

Good points. I feel bad for saying I never thought about it from the subject's perspective (brightness and heat).

@wulfjr 5 жыл бұрын

Chelsea I see you still loving that 105....I'm taking donations if you wanna help out my 105 fund. Oh and thanks for showing what strobe is used for.

@markusr3259 6 жыл бұрын

As an enthusiastic amateur looking to buy another couple of lights, I can say that 7 stops of power difference is huge, and a deal breaker for me. Spending twice the price for something with less flexibility in terms of power and portability doesn't seem like a good deal for me - Especially not when there are strobes available with decent in-built modelling lamps. I saw you were shooting at 1.4, can you show us how they perform at say, F8?

@skitza95 5 жыл бұрын

what modifier are you using on the continuous light? I bought this exact light + an octobox and it's pretty dim even at 100%. I'd rather use whatever you're using on it

@lilblingking1491 5 жыл бұрын

It's a beauty dish

@_NoDrinkTheBleach 6 жыл бұрын

Another advantage for continuous lighting is small pupils. I realize that I'm not using super powerful LEDs (3 edge lights), but I've never had a heat or weight issue. But simulating soft boxes means I'm not going to overpower the sun. The are compromises with any lighting setup.

@todayshike2899 6 жыл бұрын

I am now using LED continuous for shooting table top and live view on my camera. Faster workflow.

@FriePresse 6 жыл бұрын

thanks for the advices i am brand new just buyed a Nikon d 700 + a nikon 60 mm micro lens a journey have just begun for me

@canturgan 6 жыл бұрын

I was watching a movie being made in the street and they had 4, 10 kilowatt lamps aimed at a building to simulate daylight (at night), hooked up to large noisy generators. I bet you could have lit the same scene with some studio strobes, just for stills obviously.

@theoriginalonion7545 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks guys

@ronspi 6 жыл бұрын

Stobe for the win!

@gur262 6 жыл бұрын

I like it. But it needs a second part. 1.motion freeze, how its connected to power, how some strobes dont (ad600 does) most speedlights do. That they got Modelling lights(badger, 60 w led) often linked to power so in darker rooms you can See what you do pretty well and switch to stronger bulbs in some .2 light paint and second curtain and multiple Exposure and all that. 3...there must be some more things.

@toosas 6 жыл бұрын

Strobes will also freeze movement better. Be it hair moving because of the wind (fan) or if you need to capture a dancer's move mid air

@TonyAndChelsea 6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, this is a good point that I wish I brought up.

@esmokebaby 6 жыл бұрын

Yay finaly gona watch now

@foilpainterfantasyartist1711 4 жыл бұрын

How safe is using strobe in the house without blowing a fuse

@roderickwho1983 6 жыл бұрын

Bllabh bllabh indeed ! Thanks Chelsea ;-)

@sarperdewd 3 жыл бұрын

I shoot stills and video, while I have strobes I mainly use continues lights now, I just use strobes for casual shooting like family or friends events.

@ChoicesHabitsAttitudeLuck 4 жыл бұрын

You need both Strobes and continuous light. For wedding photographers cum videographers. You need continuous light on hotel rooms that are so small and have less lighting. During weddings, clients are always in a hurry so you don't have that time to test fire that strobes/speedlights. You are in and out of the bride's room and off you go to the groom. Strobes are great for your outdoor shoot after the wedding.

@awc723 6 жыл бұрын

Great vid as usual...my only issue is that a tutorial is usually for someone who doesn't know or is just beginning and $550 for the strobe and $1100 for the continuous is enough to scare people away..if you could try some lesser expensive ones too that would be cool...

@darkreigncometh 6 жыл бұрын

Rtee723 I have tried the Godox (also Flashpoint and other names) line and the AD 200 is cheaper than my Nikon flash and 3-4 times as powerful. It's around $299.

@deanjones2525 5 жыл бұрын

Maybe Chelsea factored in the cost of the wireless trigger. You get way better results with off-camera flash.

@maineiac114 6 жыл бұрын

About to try to shoot my second wedding as an amateur working to pro. I know my shots are okay but that's why I'm charging lower prices. I have to laugh in that SDP is right now on my Ebay watch list.

@deal1982 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!!!

@celo2043 6 жыл бұрын

that ending lol

@malajia3919 4 жыл бұрын

Right I was like wtf was that about 😂 lmfao

@kamalettahri3226 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks 😍😍

@mohanmurugesan 6 жыл бұрын

great tip

@kirsch4567 6 жыл бұрын

0:50 it does look similar bUT I LOVE HOW THE STROBE PIC LOOKED there's like more depth to it (?) and also the shadows are sooo pretty OVER ALL i think the strobe is better than the continuous lighting

@cosmichrist 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@julianroniger8079 6 жыл бұрын

definetly going to buy a 1100$ continuous and than shoot with my phone...

@Ashleyapples 5 жыл бұрын

must be that expensive new iphone, eh?

@glennedward2201 5 жыл бұрын

To be honest setting aside any potential joke here he will probably get remarkable photo quality. There is a reason the iPhones are very expensive. People don’t realize the cost of the stereo optical depth sensors installed and for good quality digital enhancement software to operate them it boils down to what is a great product for many consumers and in the right hands and as stated a quality studio light many won’t even know a phone camera was used. That would make for a great upcoming KZfaq video. Our object scanning ids cameras cost around $700 each for 2 megapixels using a 1” sensor. Photo quality is remarkable though most would never believed they come from a 2mp sensor. Ultimately it does come down to quality sensors and whether it’s in a phone or a camera the results should be the same or similar using same model sensor module.

@withmeuntiltheend 5 жыл бұрын

iPhones are great for some quick snaps. Not on a professional level, typically, but you can probably use it in some small instances and no one would be the wiser if a proper edit's applied. Literally no other smartphone on the market has of a camera. The color grading, sharpness and just overall image quality trumps any MP sensor. I regret buying my S8+ instead of the iPhone X every single time I use the camera. It's pretty brutal in comparison.

@Taylordessalines 5 жыл бұрын

Julian Roniger definitely the point and intention of them highlighting the continuous lighting...

@Camilamscine 4 жыл бұрын

what a joker

@barmalini 6 жыл бұрын

For me the main difference between the strobe an continuous light is in the size of pupil of the model's eye. With the strobe they tend to be slightly bigger, slightly wider open, which I find more pleasing for female portraits. But the difference is really subtle and in all other aspects the two types of light are practically identical

@bengrist5424 Жыл бұрын

The quality of the light from strobes vs continuous is a big factor, it's worth comparing the CRI values. Continuous lights are not as good as strobes for capturing colours accurately.

@Titanius1066 6 жыл бұрын

Strobes are soooo much better!

@kerebronemtadrata5459 6 жыл бұрын

We all blah-bla-blah you, too! You're doing great work there! :D

@ryle1701 6 жыл бұрын

ooO0HHhh short but uselful! thank youuuu

@grease112 6 жыл бұрын

i just went to the link but its not free

@glasshalfempty1984 4 жыл бұрын

too hot? That's an LED. Virtually all heat generated by an LED is generated the opposite side of the light. That is to say that the heat doesn't radiate out from where the light is pointing (not much anyway), but instead the heat from the LED is typically carried away from the LED itself (opposite direction of the light) to a heatsink and fan so the heat is behind the light, not in front.

@rsg440 6 жыл бұрын

There's something I personally don't like about continuous light for headshots is that the pupil of the eye contracts because of the constant light, and looks too tiny when you watch in details the result. Any way, still you'll find respected and famous photographers that has made his all career taking photos with continuous light like Peter Hurley. I think is just what works better for you and workflow.

@radamodok6534 6 жыл бұрын

Nice post

@agylub 6 жыл бұрын

Cheap Arri Fresnel copies which are tungsten lights give fantastic skin tones, have very low UV so they don't penetrate makeup to give that pasty white look and are super cheap. The great Hollywood portraitists used tungsten as you know - LED are not the same. The ability to use focusing spots to make a great portrait does require considerable skill

@AnthonyJohnston1 6 жыл бұрын

well, i liked the video just cuz of Chelsea's outro

@zachsowersfilmandphoto6659 6 жыл бұрын

Just filmed a wedding where the photographer had a continuous light and it was the most obnoxious thing for both me and everyone she shinned this light on!!

@GeorgeSchmiesing 6 жыл бұрын

The "singing" at the end... hilarious

@stoef 6 жыл бұрын

It's a little bit too bright right now. Still leaves the light on. Nice

@chrisogrady28 6 жыл бұрын

Continuous lights will shrink the models pupil and show more of the colour of the iris. This is striking with blue eyes. Ala Peter Hurley.

@harmbooij8241 6 жыл бұрын

Because strobes are more powerfull they give you a better control over subject and background lighting and with a strobe, the strobe becomes the shutterspeed with less chance of camera shake.