Lighting

Unwanted shadows can significantly degrade your image quality. Here's how to fix them with better lighting.

Creating magazine-quality portraits doesn't require an elaborate lighting setup or years of experience. A simple two-light technique can consistently deliver professional results when you need to work quickly and efficiently.

Flash photography can dramatically transform your images, but beginners often trip over common mistakes. Knowing how to sidestep these pitfalls can make your photos stand out from the start.

Neewer has released a new contender in their Z series lighting: the Z2 Pro Round Head Flash. Being new to Neewer lighting, once the Nikon-compatible version was released, I grasped the opportunity to put this through its paces in an energetic portrait shoot. Could this be the quality-on-a-budget speedlight I have been looking for?

Backlighting is one of those techniques in portrait photography that can quickly elevate your work if you do it correctly. Understanding how different types of backlights work and how each impacts your image is crucial to creating portraits that have depth rather than feeling flat.

What LED lights are the best tools for you to light paint subjects at night? Let's start with the most inexpensive light painting choices and work our way up.

Portrait lighting isn't about gear; it's about control and intention. Getting consistent and distinctive images is about mastering one tool deeply enough to shape precisely the mood and emotion you want.

Photography’s power to freeze memories, creating timeless images, relies heavily on mastering precise lighting and thoughtful composition. Understanding these techniques can significantly improve your ability to make compelling photographs that stand the test of time.

Understanding how to effectively utilize natural lighting allows you to capture striking images without complex equipment. Here's what you need to know.

Using a large umbrella for lighting portraits can significantly change the mood and quality of your images. Whether you're after smooth, wrinkle-free skin or dramatic shadows, understanding this versatile setup is great for getting exactly the look you want.

You can learn how to light paint subjects in a matter of minutes. You'll learn how to do it well. And you'll learn how to do it inexpensively (if you want). Let's go!

If you’re a one-person crew or working with a small team on photo production, you’ll know the pain—especially when it comes to lighting setups. It can be one of the most frustrating parts of a shoot. It’s not just about turning a light on. It’s the constant need for micro-adjustments: tilt it a little more, feather it to the edge, raise it higher—only to realize the angle’s off and you have to bring it back down again. When your light is way up there, you never really know how much to tilt until it’s already in the air.

Godox has announced three new LED lights and light mats: the FL100R, FL200R, and FL200SR. The company positions these full-color LED panels as affordable lighting solutions for small studios and independent content creators, building on their existing KNOWLED F series.

Photographers talk about lighting all the time—how to shape it, soften it, bounce it—but we don’t talk enough about how lighting can tell a story. It doesn’t just illuminate a scene; it sets the emotional tone and builds the narrative.

Choosing between shade and backlighting for outdoor portraits can dramatically affect how your subject appears. Knowing when to use each can elevate the quality and style of your photography significantly.

This flash accessory pack is a must-have for anyone with the Neewer Q4 flash. Furthermore, they increase the versatility and, therefore, desirability of the flash. Here are some examples of what the modifiers do.

Understanding how light behaves is essential to taking control of your photos. Lighting not only elevates your technical skill but directly shapes how your viewers feel about your images.

Creating a clean, white background for portraits can be tricky, especially if you’re limited to just one light. Getting this right without relying on heavy editing can improve your skill set and streamline your workflow.

Lighting portraits demands creativity and a clear vision. Whether you're aiming for elegance or drama, understanding lighting setups can dramatically improve your portrait photography.

Understanding where to position your softbox and choosing the right size matters more than you might realize. Good lighting isn't just about power; it's about placement, distance, and modifier size, which can dramatically alter the feel of your images.

An unusual Soul Service Station in the desert. Long streaking stars. Surreal light painting. We take you behind the scenes to reveal how you can also create photos such as this.

Knowing how to effectively use continuous LED lights and v-flats can greatly simplify your process, helping you capture professional results without excessive gear.

Neewer has released two new panel lights. Perfect for video and great for photography too, these powerful yet affordable arrays have slightly different functions and open up a host of creative possibilities. If you were seeking this kind of lighting, which would you choose?

When it comes to creative portraits, sometimes the simplest things can make or break your vision. Likewise, there are times when small details in a scene can give your portraits that little something special.

In the ever-evolving world of studio lighting, innovation isn’t just about power—it’s about precision, adaptability, and pushing creative boundaries. While industry giants dominate the conversation, companies like Harlowe quietly redefine what’s possible. With cutting-edge technology and an artist-first approach, Harlowe’s latest lighting solutions challenge conventional setups, offering photographers and filmmakers new ways to shape light with control and finesse. Could this company be the next big disruptor in the lighting game?

Exploring how to intentionally push your creative limits can dramatically improve your portrait photography. Whether you're seasoned or starting out, understanding how to control lighting effectively shapes your style and widens your capabilities on set.

I’m obsessed with color. Like, deeply. Bold tones, dreamy palettes, warm hues—color is one of the main reasons I fell in love with photography. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the raw emotion and timeless feel of a strong black and white photo.

Balancing on‑location flash with existing light sits at the heart of compelling portrait work. Photographers who understand how a slight shift in ambient exposure reshapes mood and subject separation gain tools that make creative intent feel effortless rather than frustrating.

Using a beauty dish in portrait photography is often misunderstood or avoided because of misconceptions around harsh lighting and challenging shadows. Yet, mastering this lighting tool can elevate your outdoor portraits significantly, creating a natural, defined look that large, soft modifiers can't replicate.

Natural light versus flash is one of photography's enduring debates, influencing how you control mood, exposure, and sharpness. But what if you could have natural light whenever you wanted?