Three Tips for Better Portraits

Lighting modifiers come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Here, we’ll focus on modifiers that provide diffusion panels that effectively make the light bigger relative to the portrait subject’s head. Shoot-through umbrellas, softboxes and simple light panels can all do the job effectively. You just have to select the best options for the way you…

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….

Here’s one of my favorite flash photography setups that’s not only quick to set up but delivers magazine-quality portraits every time, once you get the hang of it. If you’re a portrait photographer looking for an easy lighting solution that works reliably in a variety of environments, this technique is one you need to know….

There’s a misconception that softboxes and other diffusion modifiers produce soft light.  I address this in, The Correct Use of a Softbox for Portraiture.  I made this video in response to a question from one of my YouTube viewers about the Godox 24″ x 24″ vs. the Lastolite Ezbox.  Specifically, he asked about the contrast…

Creating dramatic portraits with flash photography is all about harnessing the power of light and shadow to evoke emotion and tell a deeper story. In this video, I explore how to use shadows to create a mood that goes beyond the surface, making your portraits feel more intense and mysterious. The direction and intensity of…

In a portrait photography lighting setup, the key light is the foundation. This is the primary source of illumination for your subject. The “key” is also the light that provides the most information about your subject’s features and shape. It’s the way the key light casts illumination AND shadows across your subject’s face that gives…