Best Continuous Lighting for Portraits

By Zhanna Guinta Last updated Apr 17, 2023

What is Best Continuous Lighting for Portraits?

Professional and amateur photographers need to learn everything they can about the effects of lighting. Although every camera needs to have a light on the scene to capture the image this is especially true when you are trying to capture stunning portraits.

Getting extra light is easy. You can open up a window, switch on a lamp or buy professional continuous lighting for portraits. In many cases, you will need the latter for the best portrait photography.

The decision to buy lighting equipment can create confusion among many. It is not always simple to select the kind or type of lighting equipment you will need. To make things simple, you need to ask yourself these questions before looking for the best continuous lighting for portraits:

What are your main needs for portrait photography?
What is the purpose of using artificial lighting?

These two questions can help immensely when deciding to buy the best continuous lighting for portrait photography.

Why should I choose continuous lighting for portrait photography?

Continuous light can be LED or tungsten. Any light source which stays on constantly when switched on comes under the continuous lighting equipment category. As compared to strobe lights, which only turn on with the aperture, continuous lighting has several distinct advantages and benefits over the latter.

Let’s take a closer look at the unique advantages and benefits of using continuous lighting for portraits:

1 – Continuous lighting is simple

With continuous light, you can see the movement of light rays when you move the light source. This is what makes continuous lights so popular for portrait and product photography alike.

2 – Continuous lighting can be easily modified

A mounted continuous light can be easily modified. You can choose to cover it with a softbox, a beauty dish or anything that might help to diffuse the light. In portrait photography, you usually use a single main light source which is complemented by other smaller ones.

Today, it has become possible to combine one or two lights and create the effects of different types of conventional lighting equipment for photography. Continuous lighting is also more affordable, especially for beginner photographers learning the tricks of portrait photography.

3 – Continuous lighting add a cinematic look

Continuous lighting sources are known for providing a unique cinematic finish to portrait or still photographs. It even allows photographers to capture slight motion in the portrait for added impact.

Continuous lighting add cinematic look — Best Continuous Lighting for Portraits – Continuous lighting add a cinematic look

Great Lighting Options for Portrait Photography

Now that you know the advantages and benefits of using them, let’s take a closer look at the best continuous lighting for portrait photography which amateur and professional photographers need to add to their equipment list.

1 – Elinchrom ELC 125 / 500 TTL To Go Set

The Elinchrom ELC 125/500 TTL To Go Set ranks first on our list of the best continuous lighting for portraits.

This new flash unit comes equipped with the best-in-class features but comes at a reasonable cost, thus making it extremely popular among professional and amateur portrait photographers.

Specifications of Elinchrom ELC 125/500 TTL To Go Set

Head power – 131 Ws / 522 Ws
Power range – 5 stops / 7 stops
Power adjustment – 1/10th f/stops (custom)
Power supply – Mains only
Modeling lamp – 20 W
Lamp settings – 40-step dimmable
Sync socket – 3.5 mm jack
Loads of advanced modes
Well-designed user interface

2 – Interfit Honey Badger 320 WS 2-Light Kit

The Interfit Honey Badger 320WS 2-Light Kit ranks second on our list and is considered one of the best budgeted continuous lighting equipment for portrait photography.

It has comparatively smaller heads with cooling fans that run constantly. It also comes with a dual-head attachment, along with softboxes and a wireless remote.

Specifications of Interfit Honey Badger 320WS 2-Light Kit

Head power – 320 Ws
Power range – 7 stops
Power adjustment – 1/10th f/stops
Power supply – Mains only
Modeling lamp – 60 W (equivalent LED)
Lamp settings – Prop, full, manual & off
Sync socket – 3.5 mm jack
Powerful yet compact design
Affordable price

3 – Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro / Godox AD300 Pro

The Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro, also labeled as Godox AD300 Pro, ranks third on our list of the best continuous lighting for portraits. This light source rivals the features of the popular Profoto B10 model but comes only at one-third of its price.

Specifications of Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro / Godox AD300 Pro

Head power – 300 ws
Power range – 9 stops
Power adjustment – 1/3 or 1/10 increments
Power supply – Battery only
Modeling lamp – LED (bi-color)
Lamp settings – 3000 ½ to 6000 ½
Sync socket – 3.5 mm jack
Significantly compact design
Excellent battery life
Bi-color modeling lamp is perfect for video too

Conclusion

As continuous lighting is extremely essential to provide depths and features to portraits, make sure to choose the right kind of lighting equipment.

Always consider the main purpose of the lighting equipment for photography before buying one.