Lighting tutorials

[Björn Carlén]

People are asking me more and more about portraits. Since I'm a newbie concerning artificial lighting, I feel I have to learn more about that, a lot more, before being able to make an artificially lit portrait with confidence.
All the lighting equipment I've got right now are two umbrellas and an SB-800. OM-D E-M5 II can command the nikon flash to fire through IR. Where should I look for tips and tutorials to become better at it?

[Erik Lund]

There are a lot of tutorials on the internet with the basics,,, - You should really just go ahead and find your own preferred 'look and feel' you can of course base it on what you see and like and don't like online - Learn to see light and shadow

[Almass]

Best way to learn is to shoot, and shoot again and when you are done start again.....

In between, learn about Light by reading this book: Light Science and Magic. It will help you to know the "Why" before the "How".

It is the only tutorial you are seeking.

http://www.diyphotography.net/light-science-and-magic-a-book-review/

[Frank Fremerey]

This is old but the basic ideas are universal.
Get the DVDs and learn.
This is the How. "Light: Science & Magic" is also very good & recommended.

[Erik Lund]

Best way to learn is to shoot, and shoot again and when you are done start again.....

In between, learn about Light by reading this book: Light Science and Magic. It will help you to know the "Why" before the "How".

It is the only tutorial you are seeking.

http://www.diyphotography.net/light-science-and-magic-a-book-review/

Very comprehensive book covering most portrait and product shooting situations with lights and modifiers/accessories.

But be prepared to spend a lot of time shooting to acquire these skills,,, and then make a twist and break the rules to achieve your favourite lighting 

[Björn Carlén]

Thanks, all of you! I appreciate your answers.

[elsa hoffmann]

http://strobist.blogspot.co.za/

they have been going for yonks - many swear by this website.

[Björn Carlén]

Elsa, thanks for the link! Very good!

[Björn Carlén]

Gear wise, if I want to radio control speedlights, is Phottix Ares your preferred choice or Cactus v6 II?

[David H. Hartman]

I remember Dean Collins from Person's Photography magazine and found his articles very useful. At this site there is a free download of a booklet on "Tinker Tubes." Making light modifying panels with PVC pipe. It's worth a look. I made some light modifying device based on the construction methods shown. I made mine to mount on 4 meter (13 foot) Manfrotto light stands. Many have enlarged on this Tinker Tubes idea. Here is a link...

http://www.software-cinema.com/page/13/tinkertubes

David Hobby's Strobist blog and his Lighting 101 tutorial are very useful...

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html


A book I've read about and meat to buy is Light Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting 5th Edition.

Best,

Dave

At home now I've fix what I could hardly see as I waited for a friend who was doing battle with the stupid city I live in. I stayed outside so I wouldn't give certain city official a piece of my mind.

[Björn Carlén]

Thanks, David Hartman!

[Björn Carlén]

"Welcome to Lighting 101.

You may not realize it yet, but you have just stepped through a door that may change your photography forever. Over the past 10 years, over four million people from nearly every country in the world have begun their lighting education right here. If they can do it, you can do it."

Sure sounds promising.

[HCS]

I second, third or fourth all previous advise and links. I also found Joe McNally's books rather good.

He has a certain style of writing which you may or may not like though. Another very good one is Kirk Tuck, Minimalist Lighting. Much more down-to-earth writing style and explains everything quite well (no radio remotes yet, though).

[Björn Carlén]

Thanks, Hans!

[PedroS]

Agree with all propositions...
But the best you can do is keep records of what you are doing, understanding and noting what have worked and what haven't.