Lights, Camera, Action
Lights, Camera, Action
The very essence of photography is learning how to control light.
I am obsessive about quality lighting. I teach studio lighting. Studio lighting or natural lighting, hard or soft light, I understand what it does and how to manipulate it. I even win awards for my lighting.
And did I mention I am obsessive about lighting?
Light can make you look 10 years younger if handled correctly or 10 years older if mishandled. It is so critical to what I do. I use light to direct the viewers eye in all my images (and I use shadow to detract).
So what kind of light do I use?
Natural Light
Always flattering, easy to use and a lovely, even light perfect for all clients. My natural light comes from a huge industrial window in my studio in a former cotton mill in Manchester.
One Light
My go-to lighting set up is a one light (Pixapro Pika200) in a 47" Octobox. It gives a soft, diffused light yet is still dark and sultry, perfect for what I do.
Two Lights
A two light set up will give a more even lighting perfect for the 'studio' look.
Fine Art Lighting
Again using two lights but with one suspended on a boom overhead to give a fine art, painterly feel to the image.
Noir Lighting
Using two lights but with a harder light modifier such as a snoot or a beauty dish. The lighting is more contrasty and dramatic, giving that Film Noir or Vintage Hollywood feel.
Gel Lighting
Gels are coloured wraps for lights to change the colour of the light and give an edgy, modern look to the image.
Rim Lighting
Using two lights in stripboxes to outline the female body, giving a very moody and suggestive image.
My Lighting Kit List
4 x Pixapro Pika 200
1 x Pixapro/Canon trigger (plus 5 universal triggers for workshops)
4 x Octoboxes (with grids)
2 x Stripboxes
1 x Beauty Dish
2 x Snoot
4 x large light stands
4 x smaller light stands
Boom Arm
Sandbags
Rotolights (Eos and Neo)
Rogue Gels
Barn Doors
If you would like to learn more about studio lighting, do take a look at my webinars, 1-2-1 training sessions and group workshops.
If you would like to book your very own photoshoot, then do get in touch!
