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Video School, Phil Ebiner, Sam Shimizu-Jones, and William Carnahan

Immerse yourself in the world of artificial lighting and transform your photography with our comprehensive online course.

Regardless of your skill level or experience, we welcome you to join us on a journey of illuminating exploration, uncovering the secrets of lighting that professional photographers master to create stunning visuals.

The course is  designed to break down the complexities of artificial lighting into easy-to-watch lessons and real-world applications. You will be taken step by step from understanding the basics to the application of advanced lighting techniques used in professional photography.

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Immerse yourself in the world of artificial lighting and transform your photography with our comprehensive online course.

Regardless of your skill level or experience, we welcome you to join us on a journey of illuminating exploration, uncovering the secrets of lighting that professional photographers master to create stunning visuals.

The course is  designed to break down the complexities of artificial lighting into easy-to-watch lessons and real-world applications. You will be taken step by step from understanding the basics to the application of advanced lighting techniques used in professional photography.

This isn't just a course; it's a ticket to a visual journey, harnessing light's transformative power to turn your photographs from good to breathtaking.

What will you learn?

  1. Understand the Fundamentals of Artificial Lighting: Recognize the essential concepts and principles behind flash photography, strobes, and other forms of artificial lighting.

  2. Manipulate Light to Your Advantage: Learn to control and shape light, tailoring it to your artistic vision.

  3. Master Flash Photography: Uncover the nuances of on-camera and off-camera flash, syncing, and balancing flash with ambient light.

  4. Operate Strobe Lights with Confidence: Discover the power of strobe lighting in creating dramatic effects and atmospheric mood.

  5. Excel in Portrait Lighting: Delve deep into the art of portrait lighting and understand the techniques to highlight the features and expressions of your subjects.

  6. Learn the Art of Color Gels: Experiment with color gels to introduce hues and to create unique color effects in your photography.

  7. Efficiently Use Lighting Equipment: Become proficient in choosing and using different types of lighting equipment based on the requirements of your shots.

  8. Execute Advanced Lighting Setups: Implement complex lighting scenarios for different genres of photography like portrait, landscape, product, and more.

  9. Post-Process Lighting in Images: Refine your images in post-processing software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, enhancing the effect of lighting even after the shot has been taken.

  10. Create a Professional Lighting Setup on a Budget: Learn how to set up an efficient lighting system without breaking the bank, perfect for aspiring photographers.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is designed to cater to a broad spectrum of photography enthusiasts. Whether you're a:

  • Beginner Photographers: Who has just started out and is eager to understand the art and science behind good lighting. No prior knowledge of artificial lighting is required.

  • Intermediate Photographers: Who has a basic understanding of photography but wants to level up by mastering artificial lighting techniques.

  • Professional Photographers: Looking to refresh your skills, discover new trends, or gain a deeper understanding of artificial lighting concepts.

  • Aspiring Artist: An illustrator, painter, or any artist who wants to understand light and shadow better to improve their artwork.

  • Content Creator/Blogger: Who wants to capture eye-catching images for their website, blog, or social media platforms.

Whatever your background, this course will guide you in creating beautifully lit photographs that resonate and captivate, serving as a launchpad to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of photography.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand the fundamentals of artificial lighting: recognize the essential concepts and principles behind flash photography, strobes, and other forms of artifi
  • Master flash photography: uncover the nuances of on-camera and off-camera flash, syncing, and balancing flash with ambient light.
  • Operate strobe lights with confidence: discover the power of strobe lighting in creating dramatic effects and atmospheric mood.
  • Excel in portrait lighting: delve deep into the art of portrait lighting and understand the techniques to highlight the features and expressions of your subject
  • Learn the art of color gels: experiment with color gels to introduce hues and to create unique color effects in your photography.
  • Efficiently use lighting equipment: become proficient in choosing and using different types of lighting equipment based on the requirements of your shots.
  • Execute advanced lighting setups: implement complex lighting scenarios for different genres of photography like portrait, landscape, product, and more.
  • Post-process lighting in images: refine your images in post-processing software like adobe lightroom and photoshop, enhancing the effect of lighting even after
  • Create a professional lighting setup on a budget: learn how to set up an efficient lighting system without breaking the bank, perfect for aspiring photographers

Syllabus

What is Light? And How to Use It?
Natural light vs. Artificial light
Built-In Flash vs. External Flash vs. Off Camera Flash vs. Strobe
Common Terms to Know
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Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Strong reputation of instructors Phil Ebiner and Sam Shimizu-Jones, who are recognized for their work in photography
Explores how to execute advanced lighting setups for various genres of photography, developing professional skills
Builds a strong foundation in artificial lighting for beginner photographers
Provides a comprehensive study of artificial lighting in photography relevant to industry
Teaches flash photography and strobe lighting, which are highly relevant in professional photography
Develops advanced portrait lighting techniques, which are core skills for portrait photographers

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive photography lighting for all levels

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive journey into artificial lighting, enabling photographers of all skill levels to transform their images from good to breathtaking. Students particularly appreciate the step-by-step breakdown of complexities and real-world applications, finding it effective for mastering flash photography, strobe lights, and portrait lighting techniques. The inclusion of advice on creating professional setups on a budget is seen as a significant positive. While largely positive, some learners might find the pace or depth on certain advanced topics could be expanded.
Includes tips for refining images in software.
"The section on editing flash photos in Lightroom and Photoshop was a nice addition."
"I liked how the course showed me how to enhance lighting effects post-shot."
"It gives a good overview of post-processing, though I might seek more advanced editing specific courses."
Aims to serve beginners to professionals.
"As an intermediate photographer, I found new insights while refreshing my basics."
"It's a solid introduction for beginners, but I, as a professional, also picked up a few useful tips."
"The course covers enough ground to be valuable to a wide range of photography enthusiasts."
Guides on setting up lighting without high costs.
"The bonus lesson on creating a professional setup on a budget was a lifesaver for me."
"I learned how to achieve great lighting effects using affordable equipment."
"This course helped me realize I don't need expensive gear to get professional results."
Offers hands-on examples of lighting setups.
"The lighting demonstrations were incredibly helpful; seeing the setups in action made a huge difference."
"I appreciated the real-world applications and how the instructor showed various techniques."
"Learning about three-point lighting and specific styles like Film Noir was very practical."
Provides a clear foundation for artificial lighting concepts.
"I found the initial lessons on understanding light to be very clear and easy to follow, even as a beginner."
"The course breaks down complex lighting principles into digestible, step-by-step explanations."
"It really helped me grasp the essential concepts behind flash and strobes without feeling overwhelmed."
Some advanced photographers may desire deeper dives.
"While comprehensive, I hoped for more in-depth exploration of advanced strobe techniques."
"For truly professional-level mastery, I felt the course could delve deeper into very specific lighting scenarios."
"If you're already very experienced, some parts might feel a bit slow or too foundational."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Photography Lighting: Professionally Light Your Photos with these activities:
Read 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson
Read this book to gain a deeper understanding of exposure and how it affects lighting in photography.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Take notes
Review Strobe Lighting
Review the basics of strobe lighting to refresh your knowledge and prepare for the course.
Show steps
  • Read the articles
  • Watch the videos
  • Take notes
Follow a Flash Photography Tutorial
Follow a guided tutorial to learn how to use flash photography effectively and improve your lighting skills.
Browse courses on Flash Photography
Show steps
  • Find a tutorial
  • Follow the steps
  • Practice what you learn
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Attend a Lighting Workshop
Attend a lighting workshop to learn from experienced professionals and enhance your skills quickly.
Browse courses on Photography
Show steps
  • Find a workshop
  • Register for the workshop
  • Attend the workshop
Light Painting Exercises
Practice using artificial lighting to create specific effects and enhance your photography skills.
Show steps
  • Set up your camera
  • Choose your lighting
  • Practice different techniques
Create a Lighting Plan for a Photoshoot
Develop a lighting plan for a photoshoot to enhance your planning and execution skills.
Browse courses on Photography
Show steps
  • Choose your subject
  • Determine the lighting setup
  • Create a lighting plan
Develop a Lighting Portfolio
Create a portfolio of your lighting work to showcase your skills and attract clients or employers.
Browse courses on Photography
Show steps
  • Select your best work
  • Create a website or online portfolio
  • Promote your portfolio
Start a Lighting Business
Start your own lighting business to apply your skills and earn a living doing what you love.
Browse courses on Photography
Show steps
  • Develop a business plan
  • Secure funding
  • Build your team
  • Market your business
  • Start taking on clients

Career center

Learners who complete Photography Lighting: Professionally Light Your Photos will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Photography Lighting: Professionally Light Your Photos.
Is considered a fundamental text in photographic lighting, providing a comprehensive understanding of how light behaves. While not solely focused on flash, its principles are directly applicable to flash photography and are essential for gaining a broad understanding of controlling light. It is often used as a textbook in photography programs.
Foundational text in the field of digital image processing, covering a wide range of fundamental concepts and techniques. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions for senior undergraduate and graduate students. While comprehensive, its mathematical depth makes it more suitable for those with a strong technical background. It provides essential prerequisite knowledge for many post-processing applications.
Is an essential primer for understanding how to look at and interpret photographs. Written by a highly influential photographer, it explores different types and periods of photography, serving as a valuable tool for students and anyone seeking to deepen their visual literacy. It is particularly useful for building a foundational understanding of photographic principles.
A landmark photobook documenting American life in the 1930s. Evans' objective and direct style was hugely influential in documentary photography. cornerstone for understanding the history of documentary and American photography.
Scott Kelby's approach is known for its accessibility and practical, step-by-step guidance. is excellent for beginners and those who are intimidated by flash photography, providing a simple system to get started and achieve good results quickly. It focuses on practical application rather than complex theory.
This posthumous monograph introduced the world to Diane Arbus' unique and powerful portraits. Her work challenged conventions and remains highly influential. is crucial for understanding portraiture and the exploration of diverse subjects in photography.
Focusing on practical workflows for photographers, this book popular resource for learning post-processing techniques using Adobe Photoshop. It provides step-by-step tutorials and focuses on common tasks faced by digital photographers. is highly valuable for those looking for a hands-on approach to photo editing and is widely used by both enthusiasts and professionals.
Joe McNally renowned photojournalist, and this book offers insights into his real-world use of small flashes in various challenging situations. It's highly valuable for understanding how to use portable flash creatively and effectively on location, providing practical techniques and inspiration.
Roberto Valenzuela presents a systematic approach to using portable flash for portraiture. The book focuses on a repeatable system for achieving predictable and high-quality results, making it valuable for photographers looking to master portrait lighting with flash.
A cornerstone in the field of visual effects, this book delves into the technical and artistic principles of digital compositing. It's essential for understanding how multiple images are combined seamlessly, a core aspect of post-processing in film, television, and 3D rendering. While the second edition is older, the fundamental concepts remain highly relevant and it is considered a classic in the field.
A collection of iconic portraits by Richard Avedon, known for his distinctive style and ability to capture the essence of his subjects. is invaluable for students of portrait photography and those interested in the history of fashion and celebrity portraiture.
This handbook focuses specifically on the techniques of compositing and retouching within Adobe Photoshop. It's a practical guide for photographers and digital artists looking to create合成 images and enhance portraits or other photographs. It's a valuable reference for intermediate to advanced Photoshop users.
Provides a fascinating look into the editing process of iconic photographs from Magnum Photos. Seeing the contact sheets alongside the final images offers invaluable lessons in selection and storytelling, highly beneficial for students and professionals alike.
This handbook is dedicated to the techniques of using off-camera flash. It is likely to cover various setups and scenarios where taking the flash off the camera can significantly improve the lighting and the final image. This focused resource for those specifically interested in off-camera flash.
Provides a comprehensive guide to using Adobe Lightroom Classic for photo management and editing. It covers essential post-processing workflows specifically within the Lightroom environment. It's a practical guide that complements Photoshop knowledge and is highly relevant for photographers. This book is useful as a reference tool for organizing and processing large volumes of images.
This official guide from Blackmagic Design focuses specifically on color grading within their powerful software, DaVinci Resolve. It's a highly practical book for those using this industry-standard tool for video post-production. It's an essential resource for learning the specific workflows and capabilities of DaVinci Resolve for color work.
Neil van Niekerk is well-regarded for his practical approach to flash photography, particularly off-camera flash. provides techniques and examples for using flash off-camera to create more dynamic and controlled lighting, suitable for those moving beyond on-camera flash.
Provides a comprehensive guide specifically for Canon Speedlite users, covering the Canon system in detail while also offering general principles of flash photography and lighting. It's a strong resource for those invested in the Canon ecosystem and looking to deepen their understanding of their equipment.
Specifically tailored for portrait photographers, this book focuses on retouching techniques in Photoshop to enhance portraits. It covers essential workflows for achieving professional-quality results in portrait post-production. This highly practical guide for a specific area of photo post-processing.
Joe McNally's books are known for their engaging style and practical examples. This book, like his others, provides a visual tour of using flash to 'sketch' with light, offering creative ideas and technical approaches for various lighting situations.
Delves into the fundamental aspects of light itself – its direction and quality – which is crucial for effective flash photography, especially in portraiture. It helps photographers understand how to observe and manipulate light, whether natural or artificial, to create impactful images.
A follow-up to his book on the direction and quality of light, this book by Neil van Niekerk focuses specifically on lighting setups and design for portraiture, incorporating various light sources including flash. It provides practical examples and thought processes for different portrait scenarios.
A practical and software-agnostic guide to the fundamentals of color grading and correction for film and video. balances technical concepts with artistic considerations, making it accessible for beginners while still being valuable for those seeking to refine their skills. It's a good starting point for understanding the specific post-processing demands of video.
Bryan Peterson's signature clear and accessible style is applied to flash photography in this book. It's a good resource for beginners to understand the fundamentals of using electronic flash and move beyond automatic settings.
Neil van Niekerk is an expert in using on-camera flash effectively, particularly for events like weddings and portraits. provides techniques to make on-camera flash look more natural and flattering, which common challenge for photographers.
This textbook provides an algorithmic introduction to digital image processing, focusing on the core principles and techniques. It's suitable for undergraduate students in computer science and offers a solid understanding of how image processing algorithms work. It can serve as a good foundation for understanding the technical aspects of post-processing software.
Barthes' personal and philosophical exploration of photography delves into the nature of the photographic image and its emotional impact. classic in photographic theory and is highly recommended for advanced students and professionals interested in the deeper meaning and experience of photographs.
Another excellent book from Joe McNally, this provides broader photographic insights beyond just flash, but includes numerous examples and anecdotes that highlight his use of lighting, including flash, in his assignments. It's inspiring and educational for photographers of all levels.
A comprehensive guide to Adobe Photoshop CC, covering a wide range of features and tools relevant to post-processing. is suitable for users of all levels and serves as a detailed reference for the software. It's a practical resource for mastering the tools used in photo manipulation and editing.
Part of a series where key photographers share their approach, this book offers insights into the working methods and philosophy of a renowned street and color photographer. It's a practical and inspirational resource for students and aspiring photographers.
A unique and insightful exploration of photography through the lens of various iconic photographers and recurring themes. Dyer's engaging writing style makes thcompelling read for those interested in the history and interconnectedness of photographic vision. It offers a less technical, more thematic understanding.
This tutorial-based book guides photographers through the process of editing images using popular software like Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo. It focuses on practical workflows and techniques for enhancing photographs in post-production. It's a useful resource for photographers of all levels looking for hands-on learning.
Focusing on the versatility of a single flash, this book demonstrates how to create a variety of lighting effects with minimal equipment. It's a great resource for photographers who want to explore off-camera flash without a significant investment in multiple lights.
This anthology offers a range of critical perspectives on photography, covering various themes and theoretical approaches. It's suitable for undergraduate and graduate students looking to engage with contemporary photographic theory and criticism.
For photographers using the Nikon system, this book offers a deep dive into the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) and how to effectively use Nikon Speedlights. It's a valuable resource for understanding the specifics of the Nikon flash system.
Michael Grecco is known for his dynamic and creative portraiture, often employing sophisticated lighting setups that include flash. offers insights into his creative process and techniques, providing inspiration and advanced concepts for flash portraiture.
Presents an engineering approach to computer vision and image analysis, including techniques essential for post-processing in various applications. It covers topics like image analysis, segmentation, and feature extraction, providing a solid technical foundation. It's suitable for students and professionals in fields utilizing computer vision.
Explores advanced techniques in computational photography, which can influence or be considered a form of post-processing that happens at or near the time of capture. It delves into how computational methods are used to manipulate images beyond traditional means, offering a glimpse into contemporary and future post-processing approaches.
This guide covers a range of lighting techniques, including flash, aimed at serious amateurs looking to achieve professional results. It provides a solid overview of controlling light and using flash in different scenarios.
Peter Hurley leading headshot photographer known for his distinct lighting style, which heavily utilizes flash. provides specific techniques and approaches for creating impactful headshots with flash, relevant to those interested in portraiture. It's a valuable resource for a specific niche within flash photography.
A collection of essays that explore the meaning and context of photographs. Berger's writing is insightful and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to look beyond the surface of images. is valuable for those seeking a critical and theoretical engagement with photography.
While aimed at traditional painters, this book provides an invaluable understanding of how color and light behave in the real world. This knowledge is directly applicable to post-processing in photography, 3D rendering, and visual effects for creating realistic or stylized results. It offers a strong foundation in the artistic principles that guide effective post-processing.
Part of Adams' classic series on photographic technique, this book provides a comprehensive guide to camera equipment and its use. While technical, it offers timeless knowledge on harnessing the camera's potential, valuable for students and professionals interested in the technical foundations of photography.
Focuses on applying deep learning techniques to computer vision tasks. While not exclusively about post-processing, deep learning is increasingly used in advanced image manipulation, analysis, and enhancement. This book is relevant for those interested in contemporary, AI-driven approaches to post-processing and requires a strong technical background.
Nick Fancher is known for his creative use of lighting in non-traditional studio spaces. This book, while covering broader photographic approaches, provides valuable insights into using portable flash and strobes to create professional-looking images on location with minimal gear.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of digital color correction for both photography and print. It covers the principles of color and techniques for achieving accurate and aesthetically pleasing color in images. While an older edition, the core concepts of color correction remain relevant.
Similar to the FEM book, this text provides the foundational knowledge for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), another area heavily reliant on post-processing for data visualization and analysis. Understanding the principles of CFD is crucial for effective post-processing of simulation results. key resource for students and professionals in aerospace and mechanical engineering.
A comprehensive guide covering various aspects of photography, likely including technical skills, composition, and different genres. This type of book is useful for beginners and those looking for a broad, practical understanding of photography. Corresponds well with introductory courses.
While not solely focused on flash, Zach Arias's approach to lighting people is highly relevant to flash portraiture. emphasizes understanding light and using it to create compelling portraits, offering valuable insights applicable to flash. Although an older title, Arias's approach is still influential.

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