How to Build the Ultimate Small Photography Lighting Kit
- Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: Compact Lights
- Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: Mini Tripod Light Stand
- Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: LiteDock
- Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: Portable Power Source
- Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: Foldable Softbox
- Final Thoughts on Building a Photography Lighting Kit
- Recommended Photography Gear
- Transforming Your Photos With Proper Photography Lighting
- 4 Photography Lighting Types You Need to Know
- Use a combination of natural and artificial light.
- Understand different lighting types and techniques (and when to use them).
- Know the best times to shoot outside (blue and golden hour).
- Avoid harsh shadows and overexposed images (artificial light and lens filters help).
- Don’t be afraid to edit your photos in post-production if they don’t come out perfectly.
- The Hobolite Mini Review: Beauty, Brains, and Brawn in a Compact Light
- 4 Smartphone Photography Accessories to Level Up Your Game in 2024
Every photographer knows how important it is to have a good lighting kit. Unfortunately, though, standard photography lighting equipment is bulky and heavy. If you typically shoot in a studio, that’s not a problem, but what do you do if you are an on-the-go photographer or travel a lot? Do you really want to always be lugging around a giant kit?
That’s where a small photography lighting kit comes in, and this article will teach you how to build the perfect one! We’ll cover all the lighting essentials, from ultra-compact lights and stands to long-lasting portable batteries and a foldable softbox.
Additionally, we’ll share a handful of lighting photography tips that will enhance your photography skills and help you make the most of your small lighting kit. Now, without further ado, join us to discover how to build the ultimate small photography lighting kit!
Table of Contents
Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: Compact Lights
The core element of any lighting kit is the lights themselves. With that in mind, the best small light for photography and videography is the Hobolite Mini. It’s a super compact and versatile 20W bi-color LED light ideal for all shooting situations. Furthermore, it has an adjustable lens (15°-45°), an integrated battery, and weighs only one pound.
On top of that, its beautiful vintage design will turn heads and make it the talk of any set. For people who often work outdoors, we recommend its sister, the Hobolite Mini X. It boasts all the same professional specs and features as the original light but with a more durable body that’s weather-resistant and built to withstand extreme temperatures.
When buying either light, you can choose between the “Standard Kit” or the “Creator Kit.” The Standard kit comes with a power adapter and type C cable, while the Creator Kit also includes a desktop tripod, v-mount cold shoe adapter, v-mount ball head adapter, and mini barn doors.
Check out the video above on our PhotographyTalk YouTube Channel for a real-world review of the Hobilite Mini.
Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: Mini Tripod Light Stand
Once you have your light, you need something to hold it—enter the CF 210 mini light stand. It’s an ultra-lightweight carbon fiber stand designed specifically for the Hobolite Mini (although it is compatible with other lights). Moreover, it’s collapsible and comes with a comfortable carrying bag.
The CF 210 light stand weighs only 1 kg (2.2 lbs) and is 48.8cm (1.6 ft) long when fully collapsed. When deployed, it has a maximum height of 210 cm (6.9 ft). The height flexibility allows you to play around with different angles and types of light.
Learn More:
Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: LiteDock
Whereas the CF 210 mini light stand lets you set up static light sources, the LiteDock is an on-the-go light stand. You can mount your light on it and use it independently in the background or foreground or pair it with your camera. When paired with your camera, it creates a one-of-a-kind lighting setup ideal for action/adventure photographers and vloggers.
The LiteDock is made from aluminum and faux leather and features a built-in battery. It also has two Type C ports to power multiple lights simultaneously. We recommend pairing the Hobolite Mini X with the more durable LiteDock X if you often work in harsh environments.
Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: Portable Power Source
One of the biggest reasons to build a small photography lighting kit is the independence it grants you. You can shoot where you want, whenever you want, with studio-quality lighting. This often means you are working for extended periods in locations without electricity. If that’s the case, you must invest in trustworthy and reliable rechargeable batteries.
We use these 95WH V-mount DC batteries by Hobolite. They are small 14.8V 6.4Ah batteries that last for hours. Each battery can power multiple devices simultaneously and has four LED indicator lights displaying the current battery life. In addition, with a type C charging port, you can quickly recharge the battery from a car or external power bank at any time.
Photography Lighting Kit Essentials: Foldable Softbox
A softbox is another key piece of equipment to include in your small photography lighting kit. Softboxes diffuse light from artificial light sources, creating a gentler, more visually appealing mood. Make sure to get a softbox that matches your light, though. If it doesn’t fit your light perfectly, it can easily fall off or create unwanted light and dark spots in your scene.
You need this mini foldable softbox for the Hobolite Mini or the Hobolite Mini X. It collapses flat for easy packing and includes four extra color filters (red, blue, green, and yellow). While you will probably use the standard soft diffuser most of the time, the colored filters can add a unique layer of creativity to your photos and videos.
Final Thoughts on Building a Photography Lighting Kit
While having a small lighting photography kit is an asset for any photographer or videographer, it’s especially important for on-the-go content creators. These include travel and landscape photographers, vloggers, and documentary filmmakers. Not only will a lightweight kit improve the quality of your content, but it will also make traveling easier and prevent injuries.
Lastly, once you’ve built your small photography lighting kit, here are some lighting tips to help you achieve the best results:
Recommended Photography Gear
Disclaimer: A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we're all about recommending stuff we're truly stoked about!
