Striking photographs – the kind that makes you stop you in your tracks – usually owe their impact to the use of lighting. It could be the mood conveyed by atmospheric sun flares or the way the subject’s eyes seem to sparkle from the studio flash; either way, it’s your ability to notice and manipulate the light that is the key.
Available Light
Many professional portrait photographers work exclusively with available light. This can include both natural light and artificial light (that’s already in the location) or a combination of the two. When using available light, your challenge is to work with or modify the light that’s already in the scene to achieve your desired result.

Shooting portraits in direct sunlight: 3 tips
Read More

Studio-Style Rim Light With Two Windows
Read More

Outdoor Newborn Portrait
Read More

Using A House As A Reflector
Read More

Soft Portraits In Hard Sun
Read More

Windowlit Groom’s Portrait at Le Manoir
Read More

Topshade & Frames Within Frames
Read More

Super-Simple Daylight Portrait
Read More
Location Lighting
Pack your speedlites and portable flash: this section is all about bringing artificial lighting on location to achieve results that wouldn’t be possible with available light alone. You’ll learn how to make daylight turn into night-time, freeze BMX-riders mid-air and light up snow and smoke for beautifully atmospheric portraits.

Lights, Fans and a Seriously Fit Spin Class Instructor
Read More

Lighting Up An Ancient Lecture Theatre For A Science-Themed Portrait
Read More

Opaque Smoke & Background Bokeh
Read More

Creating Hero Portraits
Read More

Rembrandt Portrait Lighting
Read More

Lighting An Outdoor Action Shot
Read More

Environmental Chef Portrait
Read More

Horror-Inspired Fashion Portrait
Read More

Lighting The Snow For A Night-Time Kiss In Winter
Read More

Including Flash Heads In The Portrait
Read More
Studio Lighting
Who cares if it’s cold, raining or night-time? If you’ve got a studio, there’s no need to put down your camera. In fact, even if you don’t have access to a studio, learning studio lighting will improve your available light and location light portraits. Visualise where you would place the lights in a studio setting, then find ways to replicate that with whatever light you have available to you.

Photographing both light and dark skin tones with a single studio light
Read More

Action gymnast portrait in the studio
Read More

Flattering Faces: Broad and Narrow Lighting
Read More

One-light low key studio portrait
Read More

Award-Winning Portrait Of A Modern-Day Explorer
Read More

Traditional Lighting Patterns
Read More

Teenager Headshots
Read More

Sculpting Faces With Shadow
Read More

How To Feather Studio Light
Read More

Hollywood Glamour Portrait
Read More

One-Light Studio Portrait
Read More

Sensual Portraits
Read More

Low Key Hair Salon Portraits
Read More

High Key Striplight Portrait
Read More

Channeling James Dean
Read More

A Cover Story
Read More

Beautiful, Studio-Lit Stranger
Read More