One source of light does it all!

Hello people! Tarabozzo here!

I want to show you how using just one source of light you can create different kinds of photos, so you can understand that it’s not about the number of light sources, but more about how you use them. Having just one source you can do a lot and it is essential knowledge for any photographer to know the abilities of the equipment you have.

I will be using Aputure 120D and two kinds of adapters – octobox 100$ and a snoot 30$. These are very affordable instruments that every photographer should know how to use.

The first photo that I will create is a soft beauty portrait. Octoboxes make the light very soft and flattering. There is a rule that is really easy to remember creating glamorous portraits – 45 degrees in front and 45 degrees up. It is a perfect position for the light if you want to have the volume on the face maintaining soft skin and minimizing shadows. 

Another great lighting option if you have only one source of light is to put it straight behind your model and adjust the exposure to the face to make the source of light overexposed. It gives your model a great backlight and decreases the contrast giving the photo a dreamy futuristic look. 

If you like to add some light to the face to fill in shadows you can use a reflector or just a piece of white paper or cardboard to reflect back some light to the face of your model.

Moving your model closer to the source of light you make the light even softer. 

For the next photo, I’m using a snoot – it limits the spread of light, making it more directional and as a result – hard. Putting this kind of light on the opposite side from your camera behind the model and shooting straight to it allows you to get great flares. The main thing here to remember is to hide the light behind the model to have a backlight and let just a tiny part of the light to hit the lens directly – it gives great controllable flares that you can play with slightly changing the angle of your camera. If too much light will hit the lens – you’ll get just one big flare, so you won’t see anything.

You can apply these techniques using studio lights or natural light – it all works exactly the same. If you’re just starting to learn photography – make yourself a favor. Buy just one light and a few hard and soft reflectors and practice on your own to see the difference. It will allow you to experience the light, get used to working with it.

That’s it for now! As always – if you have any questions please leave your comments under this video, and subscribe to get more useful info. See you in the next videos!

Chiao!