Are you making portrait lighting mistakes without realizing it?

In this early access YouTube video, I critique a series of portrait photographs and explain exactly what I would change to improve them. Along the way, you’ll learn how to recognize common portrait lighting mistakes involving catchlights, broad lighting vs. short lighting, edge lights, hair lights, fill light, background brightness, outdoor portrait photography, and visual attention.

Whether you’re photographing in the studio or on location, learning to critique images is one of the fastest ways to improve your own photography. By understanding why an image works—or doesn’t—you’ll begin to see light more intentionally and make better creative decisions during every portrait session.

Topics covered:

Portrait lighting mistakes
Studio lighting tutorial
Outdoor portrait photography tips
Understanding light in photography
Broad lighting vs. short lighting
Catchlights and fill light
Fashion photography lighting critiques
Best photography lighting setups
Portrait photography composition
How to critique your own photos

Take your photography to the next level with my digital book The Photographer’s Journey, Lighting Handbooks, Digital Downloads, the Academy with John Gress, in-person workshops, and one-on-one mentoring.

Digital Downloads: https://johngress.com/downloads
Academy: https://johngress.com/academy
Workshops: https://johngress.com/workshops

Gear List

Gear I use in the studio:
John Gress: https://johngress.com/gear/

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
01:16 – Broad Lighting May Be The Wrong Choice
01:55 – Wait Is Broad Lighting The Right Choice This Time?
02:10 – Lookout For Those Accent Lights!
03:38 – Is white clothing always a bad idea?
04:10 – Fill is your friend?
05:12 – Use a Scalpel or a Hammer, Not a Butter Knife
06:43 – The Sun’s Position Is Going to Determine Your Composition
07:24 – October Surprise
08:27 – Final Thoughts

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If you’re constantly asking, “What power setting should I use for my lights?”—you’re asking the wrong question. In Part 1 of the Power Settings Series, I break down why focusing solely on light power is holding you back.

Instead, I’ll teach you how to think beyond numbers and focus on how distance, modifiers, and light behavior actually impact your results. This video will help you understand the fundamentals of lighting control so you can create stunning, professional images—every time.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why light power settings are often misleading
• How light modifiers and distance impact exposure
• The key factors that actually determine perfect lighting

Start thinking like a pro and take control of your lighting!

Watch the rest of the series:

• Part 2: Master Exposure Like a Pro
• Part 3: Creative decisions and Camera Settings for Stunning Shots

Want to Level Up Your Skills?

Explore My Photography Workshops: https://johngress.com/workshops/

Curious About My Gear?

See All the Gear I Use in My Studio: https://shop.howl.me/JohnGress

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