Lighting How To

Light is the key component of all forms of photography. That’s because perfect focus and composition, and a great subject, are all for naught if the light is flat or dull.

Some photographers fall into a rut by shooting the same type of images over and over again. For some that means landscape photos, for others it’s portraits, macro, wildlife, or whatever specialty they enjoy. The problem with this approach is it’s easy to get a bit stale.

While most photographers realize that a bit of supplemental light can make a huge difference in portrait photos, many shooters shy away from the technique because they think expensive gear, complicated skills, and a studio are required to get the job done.

If you've ever wanted to shoot eye-catching portraits in a studio but don't have a ton of space, here's a great video showing you how to create a professional-level portrait shoot in a small area. In the tutorial, pro photographer Andrea Carretta shows you how to create the portrait look you want in a space not much bigger than a bedroom.

If you've ever dreamed of doing a shoot at a photo studio that's bathed only in gorgeous natural light, here's a great video showing what it's really like. In the below clip, portrait and swimwear photographer Anita Sadowska takes you behind the scenes for a swimwear shoot she did recently at a studio in New York City.

If you’ve never used a hand-held light meter, the difference between incident and reflected exposure readings may be unfamiliar. It’s a very important distinction that helps explain why many photographers invest in a hand-held meter, despite the sophisticated exposure capabilities of today’s advanced digital cameras.