LimoStudio Continuous Lighting Kit Photography umbrellas are super-effective at softening and spreading light out evenly, and eliminating glare and spots—and the LimoStudio Continuous Lighting Kit is the best on all counts. The umbrella reflector is made from very high-quality nylon, which helps to diffuse the light and spread it as evenly as possible, resulting in photos that capture the full spectrum of color. Aside from the reflector, this kit comes with a max-height light stand that’s crafted from premium aluminum alloy, along with a carry case and light-holding socket. All that, and this kit is very affordably priced. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or products, this lighting kit is the perfect all-in-one product to help you take gorgeous, well-lit photographs that stand out from the crowd. Pros: Umbrella reflector is made from high-quality nylon Spreads light out evenly Very effective at eliminating glare Wonderful at softening the light and casting gentle shadows Comes with a max-height light stand that’s both sturdy and easy to transport Excellent value Cons: This kit is really best for beginners; photography pros might not get the best usage out of it HPUSN Softbox Lighting Kit The HPUSN Softbox Lighting Kit comes with everything you need to help you take your photos to the next level, providing you with soft, perfect, gentle lighting from multiple angles. This equipment does a wonderful job of scattering the light and creating soft shadows, thanks to the high-quality PET materials used; the light is perfectly contained within the box. Also, handily, you can shoot at different angles using the adjustable stand and rotatable head. That way, you’re better able to get the perfect shot, every time. Pros: Softbox is made from top-notch materials Energy-efficient bulbs that last approximately 8,000 hours Independent locking knob and 210-degree rotatable head allows you to shoot from different angles Creates the perfect soft, natural light indoors Cons: This kit is really best for portraits or still life shots Emart 60 LED Photography Lighting Kit Easy to travel with and carry to and from photo shoots, the Emart 60 LED Photography Lighting Kit comes with four gel filters, an attached tripod with legs, and an extension cord. It makes for a great starter kit if you’re just beginning your photography journey. The soft lighting is fantastic for photographing small- to medium-sized items, and you can even use it to record videos. Plus, you can increase the brightness by more than 50 percent when compared to other USB-powered models, without risking your safety. Pros: Compact, portable size, at just under 2 pounds and 10.86 x 6.14 x 3.3 inches Comes with four gel filters Double color temperatures allow for quick, professional-quality images Energy-efficient; the LEDs feature relatively low heat output and energy usage Effectively dissipates heat using stereoscopic heat holes Included AC/DC adapter Excellent value Cons: Really best grab-and-go lighting, not the top choice for a permanent studio ZHEN Selfie Ring Light Selfie kings and queens will love having the ZHEN Selfie Ring Light on hand when the Insta-mood strikes. This dimmable ring light was designed to help you take the best selfies possible: It features three light colors (cool white, warm, and daylight), so you can easily find your best lighting, plus a three-way pan head with a handle that allows you to tilt and swivel as much as you need to. And this kit even comes with two adjustable, stable tripods, a phone clamp, and a Bluetooth remote that works with both Android and iPhone, so you can stop or start recording without even touching your phone. Pros: 10-inch ring light features three light colors The three-way pan head allows you to target the ring light to your subject at any angle Comes with two adjustable tripods with built-in levels Accompanying phone clamp and Bluetooth remote allow you to record photos without needing to touch your phone Super-quick, easy setup Cons: A tad pricey Neewer 700W Continuous Lighting Kit If you want to invest in professional-quality lighting equipment without spending thousands of dollars, the Neewer Continuous Lighting Kit is an excellent product. The tools included are top-quality, including: an octagon softbox to create more natural-looking lighting, a sturdy light stand with single-action locks, and an E27 socket that allows you to directly connect light bulbs and fluorescent lamps. This kit is ideal for all types of photography, too, providing you with the perfect environment for all your best photos. Pros: You get top-quality equipment for a very reasonable price, including an octagon softbox, two bulbs, two light stands, and a carrying bag Can be used for all types of photography The octagon softbox creates stellar soft lighting Light stand allows for fast precision-height adjustment Different kit options Cons: Doesn’t include instruction manual, but operating this equipment is pretty straightforward Frequently Asked Questions How do I choose the right photography lighting tools? It’s important to nail down which type of lighting you need, depending on what you’re taking pictures of. For example, continuous lighting kits are primarily used for still photography, since this type of kit helps you to accurately visualize how your lighting will look, before you press the shutter button. Speedlight lighting kits, on the other hand, are great for action shots since they’re faster than regular flashes. Size matters too, of course: You may want something more portable and sleeker than giant studio equipment, or vice versa, depending on how serious your photography habit (or business) is. What are the different types of lighting, and which one is best for me? Flash, LED, incandescent, and fluorescent are the main types of artificial lighting, and they each serve a different purpose (and each have their own pros and cons). If you’re just starting out, most experts recommend LEDs, as these are great for most lighting situations—but, that being said, it’s best to do a deep-dive into each type of lighting, taking into consideration what type of photography you’ll be doing.