Learn about Lighting

What kind of lighting equipment do you need for your photography? Read these guides to lights, reflectors, and other types of lighting equipment.

All Lighting tutorials:

  1. Quick Tip: Creating Artificial Bokeh in Your Own Home

    Quick Tip: Creating Artificial Bokeh in Your Own Home

    Tutorial Intermediate

    Bokeh refers to the out-of-focus area of a photograph, usually created by sources of light and color behind the subject. This quick tip will show you...

  2. Creating Your Personal Tabletop Studio

    Creating Your Personal Tabletop Studio

    Tutorial Beginner

    The practice of tabletop photography can start with a sheet of paper, some cardboard and window light. But soon you'll want more control in your own little...

  3. How to Shoot a Professional, Creative Low-Key Self Portrait

    How to Shoot a Professional, Creative Low-Key Self Portrait

    Tutorial Beginner

    Sometimes when looking at a beautiful black and white portrait, you think to yourself, "what a shot, I wish I could have one!" In fact, you do not have to be...

  4. Quick Tip: Using a Simple Portable Reflector

    Quick Tip: Using a Simple Portable Reflector

    Tutorial Beginner

    Over the next month I plan to write about various items photographers often forget about taking on a shoot. These gadgets can often make all the difference,...

  5. An In-Depth Guide to Lighting People

    An In-Depth Guide to Lighting People

    Tutorial Beginner

    Light is the foundation of photography, so when taking portraits, it's essential that you not only understand how the light is working, but also how to...

  6. Envisioning & Shooting an Environmental Portrait

    Envisioning & Shooting an Environmental Portrait

    Tutorial Beginner

    Striking the balance of environment and subject is what good environmental portraiture is all about. Today, I'm taking you from start to finish with how to...

  7. Step-by-Step Guide to an Engagement Session

    Step-by-Step Guide to an Engagement Session

    Tutorial Advanced

    (sigh) L'amore ... Boy meets girl, they like each other, they love each other, and they decide to get married. Although not often done until about 10 or so...

  8. How to Shoot High Speed Splash without Flash

    How to Shoot High Speed Splash without Flash

    Tutorial Intermediate

    Photographing moving water or water drops is a fun challenge. In this tutorial, I’m going to show how to shoot an impressive image of a splash of water...

  9. 20 Fast Tips for Portrait Photography

    20 Fast Tips for Portrait Photography

    Tutorial Beginner

    I love portrait photography. I'm sure many of you do, too. However, doing a great portrait is one of the most challenging kinds of photography out there. So,...

  10. Designing and Building Real DIY Softboxes

    Designing and Building Real DIY Softboxes

    Tutorial Advanced

    Professional softboxes cost hundreds of dollars, and the cheap eBay ones are a risky investment in terms of quality. The DIY route may seem daunting, but...

  11. Using LumiQuest's Fold Flat Softbox

    Using LumiQuest's Fold Flat Softbox

    Tutorial Beginner

    The power of small flash units is really remarkable. From battery powered flash units, we can pull enough light for portraits, wildlife, and lighting entire...

  12. Choose Your Light: Flash Guns vs. Studio Strobes

    Choose Your Light: Flash Guns vs. Studio Strobes

    Tutorial Beginner

    When it comes to expanding your lighting gear in order to start taking more professional, high-end studio photographs, you will initially be faced with a...