The Academy with John Gress

Lighting Techniques

Learn how I built this set step-by-step and then watch as I use it for the very first time during a photoshoot.

How to build this set from scratch!

12/02/2022

Professionals need to own 18 lights if they want to have gratuitous silly fun!

Why a 3 light kit won’t cut it!

11/26/2022

in this head to head shootout I am going to test 6 different modifer options that you can use in your next beauty shoot. Please let us know in the comments below which one you prefer close up and at 1 meter.

Beauty Dish vs. Softbox – which one is better for beauty photography?

10/13/2022

In countless videos and classes I have seen people misrepresent this key lighting concept. Negative fill doesn't suck light out of the shadows, it blocks light from entering. Watch as I prove it to you in three demonstrations.

They have been lying to you about negative fill!

10/03/2022

Have you been using the wrong fill?

Have you been using the wrong fill?

09/12/2022

In this week's video I breakdown how I created this moody image using blue gels and two soft boxes. Adding color to your images can change the way viewers experience your work.

Member Exclusive Lighting Tutorial: Setting the mood with blue gels

09/02/2022

In this week’s video I am going to breakdown how I lit this cinematic portrait using a softbox which I controlled (flagged) with a V-Flat and a cucoloris. To complete the image, I used a Mole Richardson 407 movie light and a strip soft box.

Clamshell Lighting Tutorial

08/22/2022

Why you need a Fresnel for Portrait Photography

Why you need a Fresnel for Portrait Photography

08/19/2022

How to create three different types of light with only one soft box

How to create three different types of light with only one soft box!

08/14/2022