Photography Lighting

Some photographers will use brackets to optimize flash placement. Some will leave it on the hot shoe and forget about it. At times, I will even have an assistant hand-hold a strobe close to the lens—but what if you’re not able to do that? How can you still get a flash look that’s direct and punchy, yet cleaner by having the light higher than the lens? That’s where this technique I’ve picked up comes in. It may not be the most elegant solution, but it works.

A reliable flashlight is a must-have in any camera bag. The Wuben X4 tries something different, with its unique rectangular design, powerful main beam, and versatile side light. It promises to be a versatile light, but does the pursuit of doing everything compromise its performance?

How good is a $40 flash? We kick the tires on the Powerextra DF-400, a budget hot-shoe flash intended for DSLR and mirrorless shooters who want more power and flexibility than a built-in flash without breaking the bank. It offers only manual control plus a couple of simple wireless trigger modes.

Light can make or break a portrait. You can have the best camera and lens, but if you don’t understand how light behaves, your images will always feel flat or harsh. The secret isn’t in power settings or expensive gear. It’s in one simple principle that affects every frame you shoot.

I believe great photography is a result of great lighting. As someone who has spent a lot of time traveling and shooting in a variety of conditions, light has always been a top priority. Small portable LED lights started to become popular around 5–6 years ago, when dozens of brands began making a variety of lights in different shapes and sizes. I’ve bought many, keen to try different options out and find the best solutions for when I travel to shoot on location. Recently, I came across a brand that, in a relatively short amount of time, has carved out its own niche and positioned itself at a whole new level in the world of portable lighting for photography and video. They’re called Harlowe.

Flash is one of the trickiest but most rewarding parts of portrait photography. The way you use it can completely change the look of an image, and without at least a basic understanding, it’s easy to miss out on control you could have over your shots.

Viltrox has just released a new contender in the mini-flash market, and I tested the new Viltrox Spark Z3 TTL on-Camera Mini Flash ahead of its release. I was excited to add some fun back into my photography. What I didn’t expect was for this cool cyberpunk-looking mini flash to win me over so much that I can’t stop talking about it. In this review, I will demonstrate why, as I put this pocket-sized flash through its paces.

When you start shaping light, modifier choice controls direction, softness, and contrast that define faces, texture, and color in a scene. Getting the order right saves money and gives photographers a flexible kit that works across portraits, products, and tight locations.

Godox has built a reputation for delivering capable and affordable lighting, with flashes like the Godox V1 and Godox AD200 becoming go-to workhorses for countless photographers. But with every new product, the question arises: is it just a minor spec bump or a genuine leap forward? The new Godox V100, the company’s flagship on-camera flash, arrived promising two major advancements: a significant power increase to 100 Ws and a modern touchscreen interface. Is that enough to make it worth an upgrade?

Want to walk through your own night photo while remaining invisible? It'd be a great superpower for light painting. It turns out night photographers do it all the time. And it’s not Photoshop magic. It’s a simple trick for light painting that works with long exposure night photography that will take your night photography to the next level.

Photographers love to romanticize “natural light.” It gets described with words like natural, authentic, or real, as if using anything other than what’s already in the environment somehow cheapens the work. Scroll through Instagram captions and you’ll see countless photographers boasting about being “natural light only” shooters, presenting it as a stylistic badge of honor. There’s no denying that natural light can be beautiful and can transform scenes, wrap subjects in softness, and produce images that feel alive. But there’s also no denying that it’s widely misunderstood.

Photographers are always chasing fresh perspectives—but this time, I didn’t just change my angle, I completely flipped the rules. During a golf-themed shoot, I turned my light modifier into something it was never meant to be: the view from inside the golf hole itself. Here’s the story (and the shot) that came out of it.

Godox has announced the AD400Pro II, the follow-up to its popular 400 Ws all-in-one outdoor strobe. The original AD400Pro became a go-to for many photographers thanks to its balance of power, portability, and cost. With the new generation, Godox is adding refinements aimed at making the light faster, more flexible, and easier to use in multi-light setups. Here's everything new in the strobe.

Auto White Balance (AWB) works for some scenarios. Night photography is not one of them. Here are five solid reasons to ditch AWB—and how doing so can instantly improve your night photography game.

Yes, there's really a rock in the shape of a heart in Joshua Tree National Park! This is the story behind this night photo, including how I went about lighting it.

White balance is something most photographers know affects how colors appear, but a recent video argues that almost every camera, even high-end cinema models, is designed in a way that makes precise control harder than it needs to be.

If you have never looked into Gregory Crewdson’s approach to photography, this one is for you. Crewdson generally ditches the usual “capture the moment” process that many photographers might follow.

Shooting portraits in natural light, if you get it right, can be very rewarding. You can easily create beautiful, moody, and very natural photos—with just a camera in your hand and a willing subject in front of you. Here are some thoughts that may help you get the best possible results.

We take you behind the scenes to reveal how you can use handheld light to create photos such as this mysterious abandoned modern house in the Mojave Desert.

As a photographer and videographer/filmmaker, having a small LED light or two in my bag is essential. I’ve accumulated 5 or 6 over the past few years, keen to try out different brands and styles of lights. Recently, I came across a relatively new brand called Harlowe. They just launched a pocket-sized light called the Iris 5 Spectra.

The world of continuous LED lighting is more competitive than ever. In this landscape, Nanlite has carved out a place by offering powerful, reliable, and cost-effective lighting. The FS-300C brings a newer lighting trend—multi-color LEDs—along with high power ratings to an attractive price point. Does RGBW lighting really make a difference?

With power stations, everyone wants more capacity and longer life, but nobody wants to lug around a 60-pound brick. The Dabbsson 2000L aims to strike a balance by packing 2 kWh of energy storage into a surprisingly portable form factor at a very competitive price point. Is the Dabbsson 2000L an ideal entry point for creators looking for a large power station?

I’ve relied on power stations for outdoor shoots and location work over the past year because they eliminate battery anxiety and bridge the gap between studio and location setups. With the Power 2000, DJI elevates the power station with a high-capacity unit featuring user-friendly design and tight integration with their ecosystem. Is it worth adding to your gear?

Lighting can make or break your portraits, yet many people struggle with creating natural-looking illumination that flatters their subjects. The difference between amateur and professional-looking portraits often comes down to understanding just a few key lighting principles.

Unwanted shadows can significantly degrade your image quality. Here's how to fix them with better lighting.

Creating magazine-quality portraits doesn't require an elaborate lighting setup or years of experience. A simple two-light technique can consistently deliver professional results when you need to work quickly and efficiently.

Flash photography can dramatically transform your images, but beginners often trip over common mistakes. Knowing how to sidestep these pitfalls can make your photos stand out from the start.

Neewer has released a new contender in their Z series lighting: the Z2 Pro Round Head Flash. Being new to Neewer lighting, once the Nikon-compatible version was released, I grasped the opportunity to put this through its paces in an energetic portrait shoot. Could this be the quality-on-a-budget speedlight I have been looking for?

Backlighting is one of those techniques in portrait photography that can quickly elevate your work if you do it correctly. Understanding how different types of backlights work and how each impacts your image is crucial to creating portraits that have depth rather than feeling flat.

What LED lights are the best tools for you to light paint subjects at night? Let's start with the most inexpensive light painting choices and work our way up.

Portrait lighting isn't about gear; it's about control and intention. Getting consistent and distinctive images is about mastering one tool deeply enough to shape precisely the mood and emotion you want.

Photography’s power to freeze memories, creating timeless images, relies heavily on mastering precise lighting and thoughtful composition. Understanding these techniques can significantly improve your ability to make compelling photographs that stand the test of time.

Understanding how to effectively utilize natural lighting allows you to capture striking images without complex equipment. Here's what you need to know.

Using a large umbrella for lighting portraits can significantly change the mood and quality of your images. Whether you're after smooth, wrinkle-free skin or dramatic shadows, understanding this versatile setup is great for getting exactly the look you want.

You can learn how to light paint subjects in a matter of minutes. You'll learn how to do it well. And you'll learn how to do it inexpensively (if you want). Let's go!

If you’re a one-person crew or working with a small team on photo production, you’ll know the pain—especially when it comes to lighting setups. It can be one of the most frustrating parts of a shoot. It’s not just about turning a light on. It’s the constant need for micro-adjustments: tilt it a little more, feather it to the edge, raise it higher—only to realize the angle’s off and you have to bring it back down again. When your light is way up there, you never really know how much to tilt until it’s already in the air.

Godox has announced three new LED lights and light mats: the FL100R, FL200R, and FL200SR. The company positions these full-color LED panels as affordable lighting solutions for small studios and independent content creators, building on their existing KNOWLED F series.

Photographers talk about lighting all the time—how to shape it, soften it, bounce it—but we don’t talk enough about how lighting can tell a story. It doesn’t just illuminate a scene; it sets the emotional tone and builds the narrative.

Choosing between shade and backlighting for outdoor portraits can dramatically affect how your subject appears. Knowing when to use each can elevate the quality and style of your photography significantly.

This flash accessory pack is a must-have for anyone with the Neewer Q4 flash. Furthermore, they increase the versatility and, therefore, desirability of the flash. Here are some examples of what the modifiers do.

Understanding how light behaves is essential to taking control of your photos. Lighting not only elevates your technical skill but directly shapes how your viewers feel about your images.

Creating a clean, white background for portraits can be tricky, especially if you’re limited to just one light. Getting this right without relying on heavy editing can improve your skill set and streamline your workflow.

Lighting portraits demands creativity and a clear vision. Whether you're aiming for elegance or drama, understanding lighting setups can dramatically improve your portrait photography.

Understanding where to position your softbox and choosing the right size matters more than you might realize. Good lighting isn't just about power; it's about placement, distance, and modifier size, which can dramatically alter the feel of your images.

An unusual Soul Service Station in the desert. Long streaking stars. Surreal light painting. We take you behind the scenes to reveal how you can also create photos such as this.

Knowing how to effectively use continuous LED lights and v-flats can greatly simplify your process, helping you capture professional results without excessive gear.

Neewer has released two new panel lights. Perfect for video and great for photography too, these powerful yet affordable arrays have slightly different functions and open up a host of creative possibilities. If you were seeking this kind of lighting, which would you choose?

When it comes to creative portraits, sometimes the simplest things can make or break your vision. Likewise, there are times when small details in a scene can give your portraits that little something special.

In the ever-evolving world of studio lighting, innovation isn’t just about power—it’s about precision, adaptability, and pushing creative boundaries. While industry giants dominate the conversation, companies like Harlowe quietly redefine what’s possible. With cutting-edge technology and an artist-first approach, Harlowe’s latest lighting solutions challenge conventional setups, offering photographers and filmmakers new ways to shape light with control and finesse. Could this company be the next big disruptor in the lighting game?

Exploring how to intentionally push your creative limits can dramatically improve your portrait photography. Whether you're seasoned or starting out, understanding how to control lighting effectively shapes your style and widens your capabilities on set.