Lighting How To

We regularly share tutorials from Canadian photographer Irene Rudnyk, who has a unique ability to make pro-quality portraits at home without a lot of complicated and expensive lighting equipment. In the video below she’s at it again, demonstrating how to capture captivating people pictures using nothing more than table lamps and window light.

DIY projects are a fun way to make your own gear and save major bucks in the process, and the video below shows you how to construct a sturdy light stand for less than $5 worth of PVC pipe. If you really want to go “pro,” you can drop another $2 on a cheap PVC cutter.

If you’re a bit envious of the beautiful portraits made by pros with well-equipped studios, this tutorial is a must-see. That’s because in just six minutes you’ll learn how to make stunning portraits of your own, in a home studio with just one flash and a simple background.

Watch this helpful simple lighting tip from photographer Michael Sasser in two steps. It deals with how to shoot portraits in natural light, which makes it perfect for just about any photographer, whether you’re shooting photos of friends and family on vacation, or capturing models in a professional fashion shoot outdoors in sunlight.

Unless you’re a professional portrait photographer with a well-equipped studio, the best way to make pleasing people pictures is to keep things simple and either shoot outdoors under good light, or use a basic indoor setup at home. In this tutorial, you’ll see how to do the latter with a technique that delivers dramatic results.

The video below provides a rare opportunity to pick up several valuable tips from one of the world’s preeminent nature and wildlife photographers. In less than four minutes, Frans Lanting explains how to shoot great landscape photographs any time of day, as the quality of light changes from dawn to dusk.