The Latest

The Academy with John Gress

The Latest

In today's video I wanted to share with you 3 key strategies for building a successful photography business. While I am coming at this from the perspective of a commercial photographer, I think the advice will ring true regardless of your genre.
01/10/2022
Business

3 Tips For How to be a Successful Professional Photographer

In today's video I wanted to share with you 3 key strategies for building a successful photography business. While I am coming at this...

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5 Lighting Concepts Every Photographer Should Master
01/07/2022
Fundamentals , Lighting Technique

5 Lighting Concepts Every Photographer Should Master

5 Lighting Concepts Every Photographer Should Master

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In today's video I break down this classic Golden Age of Hollywood studio portrait from this headshot shoot that I did with Etherio with six Elinchrom monolights. After I breakdown the flash look, I also breakdown how I lit the video of me talking with continuous lights.
12/26/2021
Lighting Technique

Film Noir Portrait Lighting Tutorial Using 6 Hard Lights

In today's video I break down this classic Golden Age of Hollywood studio portrait from this headshot shoot that I did with Etherio with...

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Chicag model photographer portfolio photoshoot
12/25/2021
Exclusive Training Videos

Member Exclusive: Model Portfolio Building Part 2

During my first shoot with Etherio he mentioned that he was excited to have my images in his portfolio, because he was trying to...

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12/22/2021
Exclusive Training Videos , Lighting Technique

Member Exclusive: Model Portfolio Building Part 1

This lighting tutorial will cover how to design and light a modeling portfolio.

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The Academy with John Gress Live 122021
12/21/2021
Live

Live: Q&A and Critique December 20, 2021

We cover clam shell lighting in general and also how burning can help lead the eye to the subjects face.

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What does diffusion do anyway? How to soften your light by adding diffusion to your softbox 564
12/19/2021
Lighting Technique

What does diffusion do anyway? How to soften your light by adding diffusion to your softbox

Some people call it double diffused, triple diffused or quadruple diffused. But regardless of what you call it, adding diffusion can soften your light...

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Is the Nanlite Forza 500 significantly brighter than the FS-300?
12/11/2021
Gear

Is the Nanlite Forza 500 significantly brighter than the FS-300?

Is the Nanlite Forza 500 significantly brighter than the FS-300?

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We cover kickers for sports images and in general and also this weeks critique images.
12/05/2021
Live

Live: Q&A and Critique December 4, 2021

We cover kickers for sports images and in general and also this weeks critique images.

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Review: Is the Canon EOS RF 70-200mm f2.8 or f4.0 a better choice for studio photographers?
12/04/2021
Gear

Review: Is the Canon EOS RF 70-200mm f2.8 or f4.0 a better choice for studio photographers?

Review: Is the Canon EOS RF 70-200mm f2.8 or f4.0 a better choice for studio photographers?

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Lighting 101: Flags, Silks, Nets, & Scrims
11/28/2021
Lighting Technique

Lighting 101: Flags, Silks, Nets, & Scrims

In today’s video we go over “flagging," including solids, silks, scrims, double nets and full solid flags, all of which shape and control light....

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Whether you're just experimenting or needed to recreate a specific look for a client, deciphering someone else's lighting is a key skill every photographer needs to know. In this video I will take you through my process for recognizing the modifiers, to evaluating the positioning and determining the ratios.
11/18/2021
Lighting Technique

How to recreate the lighting from inspiration images in three easy steps

Whether you're just experimenting or needed to recreate a specific look for a client, deciphering someone else's lighting is a key skill every photographer...

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