Many photographers say they avoid flash because their lighting looks harsh. But the real problem usually isn’t the flash itself — it’s a technical mistake in the lighting setup.
In this video I explain four common reasons flash photos look harsh and show how to fix them so you can get better results when shooting portraits.
You’ll learn how lighting changes when:
Your light is too close to the subject
Your modifier is too small
Your photo is overexposed
You accidentally eliminate ambient fill light
Understanding these lighting fundamentals will help you control your results and avoid the common problems photographers run into when learning flash photography and studio lighting.
If you want to improve your portrait lighting and understand how light actually behaves, this video will walk you through the mistakes that make flash photos look harsh and how to correct them.
Download my free Introduction to Lighting Guide here:
https://johngress.com/downloads-giveaway/
The guide covers the most important lighting concepts photographers struggle with when using flash.
Models
https://www.instagram.com/josh_hudzonn/
https://www.instagram.com/kenzieaspenlindgren/
Gear
Elinchrom FIVE
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
Elinchrom 8.3″ Standard Reflector with 30 Degree Grid
Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Octa Softbox 190cm (75”)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GZa45L
Chapters
00:00 – Start
01:50 – Inverse square law
03:04 – Size = Softness
04:59 – Over Exposure
06:26 – Eliminating Ambient Light
07:47 – Key Takeaways
