5 Simple and Effective One-Light Setups for On-location Portraits

While many pros working in studios will use complex multi-light setups for portraits, when you are shooting on location, it is often much better to employ a single light that allows you to be a bit more nimble. And with a bit of lighting savvy, you can still create fantastic professional-level portraits. This great video tutorial will show five easy one-light setups sure to help you make compelling images. 

Coming to you from Jiggie Alejandrino, this excellent video tutorial will show you five effective one-light setups for on-location portraits. Learning to stay mobile while working with a single light is an important skill for portrait and especially wedding photographers. When you are working in a studio, you are probably not under a significant time crunch, and certainly, you do not need to move equipment to multiple locations. However, for things like wedding and environmental portraits, you have additional logistical considerations and time restrictions, and complex setups simply don't mesh with those parameters. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Alejandrino. 

If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley," which is currently on sale along with the rest of the Fstoppers store! 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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