Mastering Off-Camera Lighting: Bold Colour & Dramatic Portraits
Bold colour, dramatic light and portraits that stand out
Available light is beautiful. But when you add off-camera lighting into the mix, the creative possibilities expand enormously.
Suddenly you’re no longer waiting for the light to behave. You’re shaping it.
This advanced workshop is all about pushing off-camera lighting further. We’ll explore how to create striking, colourful, cinematic portraits outdoors using flash, modifiers, and a healthy dose of creative curiosity.
Working with real models, we’ll build dramatic images using colour, atmosphere, and carefully controlled light. Think bold backgrounds, sculpted light on your subject, and portraits that jump off the screen.
Throughout the day, I’ll show you how I approach location lighting when I want something stronger than natural light alone can deliver. These are the techniques I use when I want images that feel confident, creative and a little bit different.
We’ll experiment with multiple lighting approaches, explore how colour can transform a scene, and learn how to control light outdoors even when the environment isn’t cooperating.
And because this is a Mastering Portrait Photography workshop, it’s completely hands-on. You’ll be shooting throughout the day, experimenting with different setups and developing the confidence to create bold portraits of your own. In this workshop, Paul will cover:
- Different types of off-camera lighting: flash, strobe and continuous
- How (and when) to use modifiers to shape and sculpt light
- One-light and two-light setups for dynamic, flattering portraits
- Getting your camera and flash talking to each other reliably
- Blending available and artificial light seamlessly
- Creating dramatic portraits outdoors using off-camera lighting
- Using colour creatively for mood and impact
- Using atmosphere (smoke, haze and background light) to add depth
- Directing your subject within a lighting setup
- Real-world problem solving (because things don’t always go to plan!)
The number of attendees is strictly limited to 5 for this workshop, ensuring everyone plenty of hands-on time with the studio, the lights and the models.
This is not a desk-based masterclass. It’s a day of shooting, experimenting and refining, with guidance and feedback throughout.
Every attendee will be invited to our private Mastering Portrait Photography Facebook Group, where we share technical notes, behind-the-scenes insights, lighting diagrams and early booking opportunities for future workshops.
Details
| Workshop | Mastering Off-Camera Lighting: Bold Colour & Dramatic Portraits | Date: | October 5, 2026 | Ability | Intermediate To Advanced | Location | Paul Wilkinson Photography Studio, 6 High St, Haddenham, Bucks HP17 8ER | Timing | Full Day |
|---|
Lovely Quotes From Previous Workshops
“There is absolutely no substitute for being “in the room where it happened”. Paul has the unique ability to read the room and assess the individual needs of six disparate photographers and make sure each feels that the workshop was directed at him/her. Anyone can give you the “numbers” of a set-up, but Paul shares the “why” and makes you feel you can do it too.”, Bob
“One of the industry’s true masters. A real treat to be taught by someone of Paul’s reputation.” [wishes to remain anonymous]
“Paul was absolutely amazing, he literally embodies photography & lighting and he talked about it with such knowledge, enthusiasm and experience it was a delight to attend. Paul gave some very practical demonstrations and techniques which I will incorporate into my approach to lighting. From the moment I was greeted by Sarah in the morning to the end of the course it was a great learning experience, I would recommend, you won’t be disappointed.”, Stephen
“A fabulous and inspiring workshop of how to combine flash with natural light. Paul’s enthusiasm is so infectious, the models were superb and the lunch was exceptional. An excellent day. Thank you.” [wishes to remain anonymous]
“An excellent training day that cemented for me how to use lighting. I got quite a few of those ‘Ahhhhh’ moments where everything just clicked. I now feel confident with my skills and ability to produce the shots I was looking to achieve. Any questions asked we answered and no holds barred. Huge thank you to Paul and Sarah for a FABULOUSLY fun day. I will definitely be back for another workshop.”, Karen
Additional Information
Pricing
£350.00
The price for the workshop includes all tuition and lunch.
Still A Few Left