Lighting330 articles

Studio Lighting: An Introduction for Amateur or Semi-Pro Photographers

Studio Lighting: An Introduction for Amateur or Semi-Pro Photographers

Anybody who is serious about indoor photography will eventually want their own studio. This doesn’t have to be an elaborate setup; a studio can mean anything from some domestic lamps and a spare bed sheet for the background to the more high tech options rented or owned by serious professionals. Inverse Square Law of Light […]

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How to Mix Flash & Continuous Lighting for Dynamic Portraits

How to Mix Flash & Continuous Lighting for Dynamic Portraits

Lighting is tricky. Mixed lighting is trickier, and in most cases avoided. But learning to control mixed lighting can help you create a distinct look to your photographs. In this short video, Jaroslav Wieczorkiewicz explains how to used mixed lighting in the sense of both the type of light, flash and continuous, and in the […]

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4 Photography Lighting Terms You Need to Know

4 Photography Lighting Terms You Need to Know

The essence of photography is built upon the workings of light and shadow. And when it comes to portrait lighting, the use of light and shadow has very different effects on the final image. In order to create some common ground between photographers, Lindsay Adler has identified a few key photography terms that you should […]

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Adapting Portrait Lighting for Smooth vs. Weathered Faces

Adapting Portrait Lighting for Smooth vs. Weathered Faces

Lighting is one of the factors that can transform an image and greatly improve it, if applied correctly. In fact, most bland pictures can be transformed into stunning shots by changing nothing but the lighting. Choosing the right settings can come from a combination of trial and error and learning established techniques from others. In […]

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Portrait Lighting Tutorial in a Flash

Portrait Lighting Tutorial in a Flash

In our obsession of gear and accessories, we often forget that photography is all about light. Understand it, shape it, and capture it and your photos will be amazing more often than not. In this video tutorial, photographer Brian Wilson demonstrates how you can make amazing portraits using a single light by following these basic […]

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How to Use a Snoot for Portrait Lighting

How to Use a Snoot for Portrait Lighting

Using a snoot can give your photos just the right quality of light if you’re going for a high-contrast final image. In this video, Jay P. Morgan discusses what a snoot is, its area of coverage, the quality of light a snoot provides, and how to use it. He also show you how to create your […]

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How to Use Backlighting for Portraits

How to Use Backlighting for Portraits

Most photographers start shooting with the sun behind them. After all, it’s what many beginning photography books suggest. But, that’s really missing out on a great part of portraiture—backlight. In this video, Mike Browne offers pointers for getting beautiful backlit portraits: When the sun is behind your subject it casts a rim light over them, […]

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How to Get Professional Quality Studio Lighting for Less Than $50

How to Get Professional Quality Studio Lighting for Less Than $50

Professional quality lighting takes a lot of time and money, right? Think again. Aaron Nace shows you how to set up a professional quality lighting arrangement for your home studio for under 50 bucks. Intrigued? Check out this video: Nace’s setup brings down the whole enigma around studio lights that seems to keep amateur photographers […]

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Photography Studio Lighting Setup Tips

Photography Studio Lighting Setup Tips

Hair lights, back lights, and barn doors, oh my! Studio lighting can be overwhelming when you first start getting into it. Some photographers out there have thousands of dollars of accessories associated with their studio setup. The good news is that you don’t have to be rich to enter into the world of studio portraits. […]

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Celebrity Portrait Photographer Demystifies His Lighting Setup

Celebrity Portrait Photographer Demystifies His Lighting Setup

Have you ever looked at some of the amazing portraiture on the cover of Rolling Stone or Vanity Fair and wondered how it was done? You may not have heard of Mark Seliger, but you’ve certainly seen some of his work. Actors, musicians—even presidents—have had their portraits taken by him. Iconic images like the nude […]

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