Week 1: Essential Concepts

Week 1
In this section you will learn basic terms, settings, and about different types of studio
lights. You will learn what gear is needed to get the most out of this course, and the
difference between expensive and inexpensive equipment. By the end of this week you
will have a better understanding of how flash exposure is changed through ISO,
aperture, strobe distance, and strobe output. You will also learn how to meter (and why
it’s important) and how to control light in an environment. Finally, the week will wrap up
with considerations for modeling lights vs. speed lights.

Setting Up for Success

In this video you will learn how to set your camera up for success. Be sure to shoot in
MANUAL exposure only and change your camera's file type to RAW.

Shutter Speed
In this video you will learn how shutter speed will affect your exposure in the studio.
Shutter speed only changes the appearance of ambient light, NOT the strobe exposure.
You must also be aware of your camera's sync speed (varies from camera to camera).

Shutter Speed Summarized:

 Too low shutter speed = unwanted ambient

 Too high shutter speed = black bars in frame

Flash Exposure Intro &

Aperture
This video will introduce the main elements that affect strobe exposure: Aperture, ISO,
Strobe distance and strobe output.

A wider aperture (smaller number) allows more light to reach the sensor, and therefore
results in a brighter exposure in the studio.
A smaller/narrower aperture (larger numbers) allows less light to reach the sensor, and
therefore results in a darker exposure.

Flash Exposure ISO

This video explains how ISO affects flash exposure.

A higher ISO increases the sensor's sensitivity to light, and therefore results in a brighter
exposure.

A lower ISO decreases the sensor's sensitivity to light, and therefore results in a darker
exposure.

Flash Exposure - Strobe

Distance
This tutorial demonstrates how the distance of the strobe to the subject affects the
exposure.

The closer the light source is to the subject, the brighter the exposure will be.

The further the light source is from the subject, the darker the exposure will be.

The changes in exposure based on distance can be be explained by specific numbers and
formulas, called the Inverse Square Law, which will be explain in future lessons.

Flash Exposure Strobe Output

Change the distance of the strobe to your subject to affect the exposure. When a light
source is brought closer to the subject, it exposure becomes brighter. When a light
source is moved away from the subject, the exposure becomes darker (dimmer).
Modifiers and Camera
Settings Summarized
Modifiers may affect strobe exposure. Some modifiers (typically larger and with
diffusion) tend to cut light and therefore decrease exposure. Other modifiers (typically
silver and with no diffusion) tend to concentrate light and result in a brighter exposure.

Typically my camera settings are somewhere around the settings listed below:

 ISO 100-200
 F8-11
 1/200 sec
Camera settings can vary drastically based upon specific scenarios that will be discussed
in future lessons, however the settings above are typically my starting point in a
controlled studio environment.

Modeling Lights (Bonus)

Modeling lights are an incredibly useful tool to visualize what your strobes are doing--
direction of light, angle of light, quality of light, and more. They are not the strobes, but
instead constant lights (tungsten or LED) that are used to help you better visualize what
the strobe lights will look like.

Most modeling lights have these variable settings:

 Full: Full power of the modeling light

 Proportional: The output of the modeling light is relative to the power setting
of the strobe
 Free: The modeling light can be varied freely without being tied to power
settings
 Off: The modeling light has been turned off

Problem Scenario 1
In this video we will explore a common exposure problem and its solution. When
shooting a headshot, the image is too dark. What camera settings can you change that
would allow you to improve the exposure?
Problem Scenario 2
In this video we will solve a common studio exposure challenge. For this portrait we've
selected a wide aperture for a narrow depth of field. Even at a low ISO the exposure is
too bright. What else can be done to achieve the correct exposure?

Problem Scenario 3
In this video will cover a common studio exposure challenge when photographing
groups. In this scenario we are shooting a group portrait, and we want to shoot at a low
ISO and have more depth of field (higher aperture). At ISO 100 and F11 the exposure is
too dark. What can we do to brighten up the exposure without changing the ISO or
Aperture?

White Balance
In this video we will cover the options for achieving correct white balance in the studio.

Select a white balance preset (flash) and use a grey card or color checker.

Things That Affect White

Balance and Why Not to Use
Auto
Avoid using auto white balance, as this will change the appearance of the shot based on
skin tone, clothing and background, thus creating incorrect white balance.

Camera Settings - They Don’t

Matter (Kind of)
In this video we demonstrate how camera settings aren't quite as important as people
think when working in the studio as long as you are using equivalent exposures.

Metering Essentials
This video will cover tools and techniques required to use a light meter. We will cover:

 What a light meter does

 Where to point a light meter
 Dome in or dome out?
 What a light meter reading means and how to adjust your camera to get
correct exposure
 Is metering necessary? The pros and cons of using a light meter

Speedlight Considerations
(Bonus)
Everything in this course can be achieved with speedlights. You may already own
speedlights or find them preferable if you are an event or wedding photographer. That
being said, there are some special considerations (and 'downsides') to using speedlights
as your studio lighting system.

Speedlight considerations:

 Power output: Typically speedlights will not have as much power output as a
strobe. You may need to shoot at a higher ISO or wider aperture in certain
circumstances (large diffused light sources, large areas, etc).
 Recycle time: Speedlights, particularly at full power, have a slower recycle time.
This means it may delay your shooting or you may need to be aware of your
shooting pace.
 Filling modifiers: Speedlights are small light sources and at times may not have
enough spread of light to fill very large modifiers. You may need to manually
zoom out your speedlight.
 Modeling lights: Speedlights (except the Profoto A1) do not have modeling
lights. Modeling lights are an extremely useful tool when learning to see,
visualize, understand studio lighting. Hitting the depth-of-field preview button
(available on some cameras) may give you fast pulses of light with your
speedlight, but doesn't replace a modeling light.
  Modifiers: Speedlight modifiers used to be more difficult to come by.
Nowadays companies like Westcott, Expo Imaging, MagMod and Phottix make
a wide arrange of speedlight modifiers.

Controlling Your Environment

(Bonus)
In this video we will demonstrate how your studio environment can influence the
appearance of your final shot. When shooting in the studio you need to be aware of your
environment and how it may affect the results of your image. Be aware of (and control):

 Ambient light
 Wall color
 Other reflective surfaces

Studio Grip (Bonus)

Studio grip are tools and equipment that help you achieve various goals in the studio.
Grip includes light stands, boom arms, apple boxes, gaffers tape, A-clamps, knuckles and
more. Each of these pieces of gear has a job whether holding lights/backgrounds in
place or allowing more mobility in your space.