Enjoy early access to my upcoming YouTube video — Lighting Ratios Made Simple — with 10 minutes of exclusive, members-only bonus footage you won’t find anywhere else. In this extended cut, you’ll get a deeper look at how lighting ratios shape contrast and mood, plus a full behind-the-scenes segment showing how I fine-tune ratios on a real portrait set.
Lighting ratios can look like confusing math — 1:1, 3:1, 5:1 — but in reality, they’re just a simple way to describe the balance between your key light and your fill light.
In this video, I’ll break down exactly how lighting ratios work, show you how they affect contrast and depth in your portraits, and demonstrate every step — from a theoretical cube test to a live portrait session with Oneka.
You’ll learn:
What lighting ratios actually mean (1:1, 3:1, 5:1, 9:1)
How to measure and control them with or without a light meter
How different ratios change the mood of your image
How to use ratios to make intentional, creative lighting choices
The Photographer’s Journey — On Sale!
For a limited time, you can get my new book The Photographer’s Journey for just $69 (normally $99) through Cyber Monday.
It’s the perfect way to build a solid foundation in lighting, posing, and composition — whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up.
https://johngress.com/downloads
Gear Used
Elinchrom FIVE
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnmmUpjV1
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ
Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Octa Softbox 190cm (75”)
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnmmmWLgl
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GZa45L
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3oOM4Oq
Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Strip Softbox (13 x 69”)
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnml5FQG0
Amazon: https://amzn.to/33NTasn
B&H: https://bhpho.to/44b7B43
Elinchrom Rotalux Stripbox 35x100cm
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnv9oDSZ6
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nUwD3M
B&H: https://bhpho.to/40PXZbZ
Sekonic L-858D-U SPEEDMASTER Light Meter Kit with RT-EL/PX Transmitter Module for Elinchrom
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjFnYfUhqyi
B&H: https://bhpho.to/41dCnXc
Studio Titan Camera Stand STA-01-360 MK2
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjGcfVD3aCG
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3cf4RfL
Canon R5 Mark II
Adorama: https://howl.me/cmGHhNpXDZw
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cJZyir
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3Yc4YyB
Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip for EOS R5 Mark II
Adorama: https://howl.me/cm5MF0r2iLL
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B3Bg5f
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3XJFyaT
Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
Adorama: https://howl.me/cjCnaWYcCHb
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na
Full gear list
https://johngress.com/more-information/whats-in-our-bag/
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
01:20 – Not a Rubix Cube, a Ratio Cube!
03:51 – Ratios when the lights overlap
06:13 – 1:3
08:20 – 5:1
10:07 – 9:1
11:09 – Creative lighting setups and ratios in action
29:52 – Final Thoughts
