Learn the three portrait lighting decisions that have the biggest impact on how your subjects appear in photographs. In this video, I break down how the size of your light source, the angle of incidence, and fill light influence wrinkles, skin texture, contrast, and overall appearance.
Using real-world portrait photography examples, you’ll see how small changes in lighting can make the same person appear younger, older, softer, more dramatic, more approachable, or more powerful—without Photoshop or retouching.
Whether you’re photographing executives, actors, fitness models, seniors, or everyday clients, understanding these three lighting principles will help you create more intentional portraits and make better creative decisions in the studio or on location.
Topics Covered:
Soft light vs hard light
Light source size and shadow transitions
Angle of incidence and skin texture
Fill light and shadow control
Portrait lighting for older subjects
How lighting affects wrinkles and perceived age
Creating softer or more dramatic portraits
Studio portrait photography techniques
Professional lighting demonstrations and examples
Want hands-on help mastering portrait lighting? Check out my in-person workshops:
https://johngress.com/workshops
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
02:50 – Angle of Incidence
03:59 – Fill
05:22 – How to use these levers
07:05 – Final Thoughts
