Everything you need to know to create portraits in the studio
CLASS MATERIALS
Studio Lighting Essentials is everything you need to get started in the world of Studio Lighting for portrait photography. Mark is known for his easy-to-understand teaching style and ability to take concepts and put them into practical use.
This class is packed with content. Topics include:
Direction of light
Understanding shadows
Properties of light
Equipment Essentials
Light modifiers, grip, and expendables
Understanding the 3-light setup
Metering techniques
Color theory and setting your white balance
Studio Lighting setups
Beginner to Intermediate portrait photographers
Photographers with little or no studio lighting experience
Anyone wanting to know more before buying studio lighting gear
Photographers who wish to understand studio lighting principles and build a solid foundation
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 explains how the position of our light changes the contrast in the image. Mark begins with an animation explaining the different ways light affects contrast. Then Mark demonstrates the direction of light by photographing Teresa.
The foundation of understanding and describing light is knowing about the quality of light. We can define light as “hard” or “soft” by looking at the shadows that light casts. Mark first demonstrates the quality of light by examining some shadows, and then he creates hard and soft light with some basic light modifiers.
The size of your light matters. Mark demonstrates how the distance of our light affects the quality of our light. We begin with a demonstration using a small statue, then photograph Teresa using different sizes and distances lights.
Mark gives an overview of some of the most common types of gear used in studio lighting; lights, light modifiers, triggers, reflectors, grip, and more.
Why should you use a light meter when your camera has a built-in light meter? Mark explains the difference between your camera’s meter and an external light meter. Mark explains how to calibrate your meter for correct exposures every time.
Sync speed is the fastest shutter speed you can use with a flash. Mark explains why there is this limitation and how we can use it to our advantage. Mark also demonstrates how to eliminate all the ambient light from a scene.
In this section, Mark teaches us how to set up and use a light meter. Mark shows where to point the meter, where to place the meter, and how to use the “delta EV” function for multi-light setups. Mark explains how to match the camera’s settings to the meter’s settings.
The three-light setup is the foundation for all other lighting setups. Mark explains how to set up and meter the key, fill, and separation light.
Mark demonstrates how the three-light setup can be applied to a two-light setup or a four-light setup. Next, we learn how the principles of the three-light setup can be applied to almost any scenario.
Mark explains color temperature and how that relates to white balance. Mark shows how the primary colors mix to create white and relate to both white balance and tint.
How powerful are your lights? How powerful do they need to be? Mark explains watt seconds and how that translates to the amount of light you can get from your flash.
Having a powerful light is important, but it’s also important to freeze motion with your flash. In this segment, we have Sydney jumping around to learn how to freeze her in mid-air.
Mark has a freestyle shoot with Sydney as he demonstrates one of his favorite lighting exercises – finding the light. Mark will shoot around the model and let his camera movement determine the quality of light as he looks for the perfect angle.
It’s time to put everything we’ve learned together in one big lighting setup. Mark uses six flashes and various light modifiers to create a beautiful portrait.
Mark gives his final thoughts and shares some additional learning resources.