Off-camera flash is an important skill set for photographers. It’s a game-changer in the truest sense. If you’re into portrait photography, you really — and I can’t emphasize this enough — you really should know how to build and use your own off-camera flash setup. And you should be able to do this in the…

If you’re new to flash photography, this post might just put you on the fast track to becoming a flash expert.  At the very least you should see a dramatic improvement in your on-camera flash skills. Then it’s only a matter of taking a few more steps toward more advanced professional lighting setups. Amazing Portraits…

Here’s a quick demonstration of how to achieve so-called, soft light for portraits, still life, and other types of photography.  In previous tutorials, we’ve used real people, as well as mannequins to show how to create different levels of contrast using one or more lights and/or reflectors.  Here, we’ll use simple 3D shapes on a…

I’ve been using Godox flash units ever since I parted with the Yongnuo system (and expensive Nikon and Canon flash units before that).  There are plenty of great Godox flash options for both indoor/studio and outdoor needs.  But I’ve been pretty happy even with the ultra-affordable TT685.  You can use any of the flash trigger…

Softboxes are one of the most popular, if not THE most popular type of lighting modifier, especially for portrait key lights.  I’ve used many types of modifiers and many types of softboxes.  Some come with pretty nice features, others, not so much.  So, I’d like to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts…

Softboxes are the preferred lighting modifier for many portrait photographers.  This is especially true if the goal is to achieve a flattering, softer-looking light.  A softbox allows you to create a nice, even, and relatively larger light throw than you’d get with a basic flash or strobe alone. By doing this, it reduces contrast and…

How does the Godox AD400 Pro hold up for outdoor flash photography?  In this shoot (recorded prior to the stay-at-home era), we used the Godox together with the 36″ Glow EZ Lock softbox under a few typical scenarios.  Here is the full-length video of the shoot. Here are some links to products shown in the…

Here’s a rundown of several ways to achieve soft light for portrait photography. I also tackle the questions, “What IS soft light? Why do we like it so much?”  In this demonstration video, I offer examples of using different modifiers with a basic flash unit.  I also talk about improvised solutions for creating “bigger” light….

Learning about portrait lighting, especially flash portraiture, can be challenging. Enlisting the aid of your friends or someone in your family is always a good idea. You can practice with a real person and avoid the fees of a model. But let’s face it, people are only so patient; nobody wants to sit there for…