Putting Your Lighting Knowledge Into Practice
CLASS MATERIALS
Go-To Lighting Setups is a practical guide to lighting styles. In this class, Mark Wallace demonstrates his approach to lighting by walking through 23 different lighting setups. This class is an extension of Mark’s popular lighting classes. Instead of teaching lighting principles, Mark puts the principles into practice. You’ll see how he approaches each subject, learn how to overcome challenges, and learn how Mark uses his light modifiers for dramatic effect. This class is hands-on. Mark encourages you to try each setup in your studio.
Beginner to Intermediate portrait photographers
Photographers with a basic understanding of studio lighting
Students who have completed Mark’s Essential Training lighting classes
LESSONS
Click to see a summary of each lesson. To go to a specific lesson, click the playlist button on the top right-hand side of the video player, and select the lesson you’d like to watch.
Mark gives an overview of the class and the topics we’ll cover. We meet our models and the production team.
Mark creates a lighting diagram using “flash power notation” and explains how you can use diagrams like this to build your library of lighting setups.
Mark uses two lights to create three different looking high contrast black and white portraits.
Create unique portraits by moving your camera instead of the light. Set your key light at a single position, and then move your camera with your model to capture different angles, lighting styles, and moods.
A large light source can create a soft and beautiful full-body portrait. This setup is suitable for fine art as well as fashion photography.
You can create unique portraits using a simple window screen and little imagination. Mark shows how he uses a metal screen to create texture in his photographs in this session.
Gels give you the flexibility to match the color of your set with your wardrobe. Tulle is a simple but effective background in this fashion setup.
Mark uses a giant parabolic reflector to create a high-key look with a single light. This setup is so easy it’s almost cheating.
Mark creates a glamour shot with vertical contrast using a key light placed below the model’s face in this unusual setup.
Glamour lighting using a single Fresnel lens. This setup is all about the position of the light and the model’s pose.
Mark creates a “gobo” from black foil, then transforms a white wall into something dramatic to create this old-time fashion portrait.
Strong kickers and post-processing create a “superhero” looking photograph, a setup used for sports or fashion photography alike.
Soft kickers and soft clamshell light combine to create a glowing look on our model. This four-light setup is perfect for headshots and beauty portraits.
Controlling shadows on a white background can be frustrating, but Mark makes it look easy. You can tame those shadows by using the correct modifier, understanding the position of the light, and putting some distance between the background and your subject.
Mark gets creative by using a window screen, one of his favorite props. Mark creates a unique fine-art portrait using a large light source and a creative pose.
Simple LED Christmas lights add “front bokeh” to this image. The inexpensive LED lights create color and depth to your indoor portraits.
Mark bounces a flash off a white wall to create an engaging portrait. Bouncing your light is the easiest way to create a huge soft-light modifier on a budget.
Mark uses a fan to create subtle motion in this one-light portrait. Sometimes you change a mundane image into something interesting using this simple trick.
Mark creates a dramatic portrait with a simple white balance trick and shoots a single scene with lights of different color temperatures to add drama to the scene.
Mark builds one of his favorite “no-fail” lighting setups. It works for subjects of all ages and genders. It’s simple to set up and doesn’t require a large budget or studio.
Our model uses an angle grinder to throw sparks across the studio. Mark uses a slow shutter speed to blur these sparks and a short flash duration to freeze the model. This setup allows you to freeze and show motion at the same time.
Mark uses a large light modifier to create a soft light setup that’s perfect for mid-length portraits.
Changing the height of your light will increase “vertical contrast,” which is a great way to accentuate facial features for striking portraits.
Create stunning shots by adding light rays to your images. Mark drills holes in a foamboard panel, adds some smoke, and then the magic begins.
Wide-angle lenses are rare in portrait photography, but sometimes they can create exciting effects. Mark combines high contrast hard light with a wide-angle shot to show texture and gesture.
We review the photographs that we created during this class. Mark gives his final thoughts and shares some additional learning resources.