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Watch these four awesome one-light portrait setups in just 10 minutes

Jan 4, 2021 by John Aldred Add Comment

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Most of us end up getting so bogged down with gear at some point that it can be difficult to choose exactly what gear we’re going to want to take to a session – especially when it comes to lighting. I’m sure I’m not the only one whose bags are comprised of 20% gear we’ll use and 80% “just in case” gear that we hardly ever use.

Sometimes, though, it’s nice to bring it down to the bare basics, carry less gear, and keep things simple with just one light. And for those just starting out, perhaps one light is all you may have. But fear not! In this video, photographer John Gress walks us through four very effective lighting setups that each use only a single light.

As well as walking us through the actual setups, which primarily simulate natural light looks, John also goes through his motivation for each shot and what he’s trying to achieve with it, as well as some of the history of why certain lighting styles work. He also talks about some of the mistakes and traps you can fall into when trying to replicate these styles yourself.

It’s a very interesting video, with a lot of great tips and advice. So, whether you’re still new to learning flash, or you’re a more experienced photographer who wants some single light inspiration, it’s well worth a watch.

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

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Related posts:

Shooting portraits with flash vs natural light – 3 setups in 3 minutes Hard vs soft light – 5 portrait lighting setups broken down to show you when to use each Here are four awesome portrait locations you can find in any neighborhood 8 Awesome Lighting Setups Using Gels For Creativity

Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: flash photography, John Gress, one light, one light studio portrait, portrait photography, tutorial

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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