Are LED lights good for studio photography?

The big advantage of LEDs is that they tend to stay relatively cool, they last a really long time, and use a fraction of the energy of CFC, incandescent or tungsten bulbs. ... Most LED-based studio lighting is designed for video use—but can also be used for still photography.

Picking the best photography lighting kits is fun and exciting, with plenty to choose from. It does, however, come with its share of pitfalls, as there's plenty of cheap lighting out there alongside the good stuff from reputable manufacturers. It's worth shopping around to make sure you're getting a good deal on a quality product; that's why we've put together this handy guide to the best photographic lighting kits available right now.

The best lighting kit for you depends on what you're planning to shoot. Are you expecting to stay in the studio, or perhaps do you anticipate loading the kit up and taking it out on location? There are lighting kits great for both purposes. You also want to consider whether you'll mostly be using flash for stills, and how bothered you are about having a continuous light for video.

Then there's also the question of budget. There are lighting kits and panels right across the spectrum when it comes to pricing, so it's worth having a think to see what's the best you can afford. We've made sure that this guide includes all different types of lighting kits, from plug-in studio lights to battery-powered lighting kits designed to be taken on location, as well as continuous LED lighting panels. 

If you want something smaller, simpler and more portable, it's worth checking out our list of the . Flashguns are handy and fast in a pinch, but they do have their limits in terms of how much control you can exert over the light.