Portrait Photography
From natural light to studio portraiture.Learn Studio Portraiture
The definitive guide for everything you need to know about studio lighting from the ground up.
This is a complete guide to studio lighting for photography, answering all your questions about light, studio lighting and portrait photography. This extensive set of photography tutorials guides you through the fundamental knowledge of light as Karl covers all you need to know about studio lighting, types of studio lighting, flash power and duration, camera settings, equipment and more. With 15 classes on lighting theory and equipment and 45 portrait photography lighting setup examples, you’ll get portrait photography ideas, tips and techniques that provide the knowledge and confidence you need to excel in your photography.
Lighting Theory & Equipment
The fundamentals of studio lighting
Introduction and understanding light
Types of studio lighting
Understanding flash power
Understanding flash duration
The relationship of shutter speeds and apertures to flash
Measuring light and achieving the correct exposure
Lighting modifiers and their effects
Reflectors and flags
Lighting stands and supports
Grips and clamps
Studio backgrounds
Creating clean white backgrounds
Creating gradient backgrounds
Studio space and making it work
Lens choices for studio work
How to use a colour checker card
Studio Portraiture
Step-by-step photography studio lighting setups using 1, 2, 3, & 4 lights
One Light Setups
Ten creative examples of what you can do with just one light using basic affordable modifiers.
Simulating sunlight with a studio light
Simulating sun & shadow with a studio light
One light surround lighting for portraiture
Bold single soft light for a three quarter length portrait
Portrait beauty lighting with one light
Soft single light portrait
Rim lighting photography for stunning portraits
Dramatic single light portrait with harsh shadows
Very soft single light portrait with white background
Contoured single soft light portrait
Two Light Setups
Ten creative examples of what you can do with just two lights using simple modifiers.
Three Light Setups
Ten creative examples of what you can do with three lights with basic modifiers.
Four Light Setups
Ten creative examples of what you can do with up to four lights using the standard and most common modifiers available.
Location Lighting setups
Get creative on location with these great lighting setups outdoors.
Business Portrait Lighting Setups
As well as the multitude of portrait and beauty lighting covered in this course, here we demonstrate the different approach required for business portraits.
Broad Lighting Setup For Older Male Business Portrait
Clamshell Lighting For White Background Business Portraits
How To Clean Paper Backgrounds In Photoshop
Soft Lighting For Older Male Portraits
Business Portrait Theory
Studio business portrait
Small office space portrait
Instant business portrait
Business Portraiture & Headshots
Understanding the Emotion of Light
In this section we explore how to invoke different emotions through the use of light. We also explore the science behind human perception to various lighting ‘looks’.
Environmental Portraits
How to shoot professional environmental portraits on location.
This section provides a detailed guide on how how to photograph environmental portraits. Shooting in different locations, Karl demonstrates a number of examples in various locations, providing a complete overview of how to photograph people at work. You’ll learn how to plan for a successful shoot, work in challenging environments, balance mixed lighting as well as what equipment you’ll need and how to clearly communicate and direct your subjects.
Natural Light Portraiture
Shoot professional portraits with nothing but natural light and a camera.
An Introduction: Keeping the focus on your model
Location scouting
Balancing the exposure of the natural backlighting & model
The Train Carriage
Portrait photography with natural light: Autumnal orchard
Opportunity photography
Indoor portrait photography
The Dark Forest
Photographing kids using natural light
Identifying & photographing indoor locations for portraits
Utilising available space & natural light indoors for portraits
Photographing portraits in the warm evening sun
Emerald Forest
How to photograph portraits in the midday sun
Family & group portraiture
Couples & engagement photography
Posing Your Subjects: Single, Couple or Group shots
Suggested gear
Image review and Lightroom adjustments
Portrait Extras
Understand light and develop your skills.
In this section we have collected together all of our extra portrait videos. These include a selection of lighting walkthroughs to help you understand light, portrait shoots that demonstrate creative setups and informative live shows and guest interviews.
Angry man lighting walkthrough
Hair sweep lighting walkthrough
Creative Portrait Lighting Techniques (Part 1)
Creative Portrait Lighting Techniques (Part 2)
Interview With Portrait Photographer Tom Oldham
Master Beauty Dish Lighting
Using the Para 222 for Portraiture
Using the Para 133 for Portraiture
Interview With Commercial Photographer Urs Recher
Interview With Wedding Photographer David Stanbury
Understanding Parabolic Lighting
Beauty Lighting Techniques
broncolor ‘How-To’ with Urs Recher
Shooting Black & White Beauty Portraits
“His delivery, his manner, his ability to convey enthusiasm and to educate, there’s nobody else that speaks like him. The way he teaches people step by step, there is always something to learn... Karl was born to do what he does.”Daniel Killoran, Wedding and Portrait Photographer
See more testimonials here.