Gotta say...I first dived into the lighting arena with so much inspiration from the many RUclips videos watched. I purchased the right equipment, within my mean of course. I returned some over the top things I found really were not needed at this time. I was totally overwhelmed by the entire lighting process and turned back to my passion...wildlife and nature photography. I just about swore off doing any studio portrait work. Then I ran across this tutorial for Studio Lighting for Beginners - The Three Light Setup with Mark Wallace. That inspiration returned and I thought....This is one of the easiest, user friendly tutorials I've seen yet. I broke out my two Soft lights, a snoop and even threw in a couple of affordable LED color lights for enhancement. I viewed this video several time and attempted to mock every step as I could. After about 3 weeks of playing around, it all came together. My pictures turned into portraits. I was able to achieve the same lighting, with a little modification also learned from the video. Now with another week past and posting some self samples to my social media accounts, one of my friends actually requested a session with me. I jumped on the opportunity to have an outside model and offered to do it for free in order to relieve any stress I may get from my first time. Thank you for sharing this video and for rekindling my inspiration into another field of photography.
Getting started is difficult simply from all of the choices of light modifiers and light stands. For example, I now have a 36" and a 48" round softbox, a normal light stand, and a C-stand. Some of that was included in a package deal so I didn't have a choice of type, etc. But after watching a bunch of videos, it seems like I also need to add strip boxes, and square boxes to the line-up. It's just overwhelming when starting out. I'm obviously going to practice with what I've got and learn the in and outs, but there is just so much to learn.
I'm doing research as well as a brush up on studio lighting especially for a job and this has been a really good refresher into lighting and made me feel more prepared thanks
I love this. As someone who only does hobby street photos with (often participating) strangers, I try to replicate these ideas using what's in the street. The sun for a key light, a white wall like a fill light, maybe even my camera flashlight as a back light (if I trust someone to hold it!) although that's fairly untested so far and may be too weak. So yeah, I'm always trying to look where big white walls are etc. Sometimes I'll hold up my clenched fist to see where the shadows are.
Cheers to you and Teresa , Mark, for an outstanding video. Love the setups you demo'd and really enjoyed your animation showing each light, then all lights. What a teaching tool!
Thought I'd mention a problem I experienced. Using correct settings as advised, my images looked over exposed when reviewing on the camera rear screen. Took me a while to realize that I had the screen set to fully bright for outdoor viewing. Perhaps Adorama customers should be aware of potential misunderstanding. Thanks for the great videos, Mark Wallace in particular.
Thank you Mark this was a great tutorial for a novice like me. You have the knack of explaining things so clearly and I always enjoy watching your videos and learning from them. Much appreciated keep up the great work.
It's good to be refreshed in studio lighting . Although I now do now 98% environmental photography . It has been 30 plus years since , I've done any studio photography ! The principles are still the same . Mr. Light meter as well as lighting system has advanced to where you can add more than 5 lighting strobes in lighting your scene ! Remarkable video tutorial on Studio lighting !
Hi Mark, great tutorials. You explain things really well. Question for you.... what type of set up would you use if you had two or more people in the shot?
This is an easy an great tutorial. But i would teach students doing this without a lightmeter! Maybe that will take more time to learn, but it brings much more knwoledge in lightning from the beginning. 🙂
Great video mark I use a mola Demi main 3’ Octa fill 1X3 strip with a grid for a fill As for the hair or kicker I set based on hair color. Blonde lower power darker hair high power When you have a sec could you do a demo with the Elinchrom Five, one. Have a great day
Excellent explanation Mark. I don't use the Sekonic light meter so I'll have to keep remembering how many F stops is a full stop. But fantastic way of explaining all of that.
Well explaned on how to set up the lighting positions but lets keep it real Mark this is for beginners that dont want or need to or buy the top end Sekonic L 858D light meter as you well know that you can do this with a cheaper meter like the sekonic L 308s at a fraction of the price .
@@natestain7103 That's very true i go by what i have learnt from the past and one roughly know the set up and power of the lights But it is always good practice to learn how to use one.
You are correct. That's the only meter I own now, so I had to use what's in my bag. But... take a look at these: ruclips.net/video/Tqt7EtVllIw/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/ZgByvP55mL4/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/Rrj2Iqot0mk/видео.html
@@natestain7103 You can definitely use other methods, but a light meter will save you tons of time and give you more consistency. Check out this ruclips.net/video/5Cgt-qMZNNM/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/oSuTtkNPsfE/видео.html
Will the lights in my house matter? I have two large windows with natural light but should I use blackout curtains? Confused about how the room should be.
I see mostly people keep 200 watt light on 7-15%. How much light (in watt) is required for RUclips videos. I mean for "head to chest". Is 60w light will not enough on 30-50%?
Well done, Mark! One question, though...when you're metering the Fill Light and the Hair Light, are you turning the other light(s) off so that only the light you're metering is turned on or are all the lights turned on and adding to the metered exposure?
I don’t think so. I think you need to fire all the lights. You are trying to achieve fill light falling on the subject to have one stop less than key light. That fill light should include the light bouncing from the key light say from the wall, if it does. Same for hair light. Correct me if I am wrong.
It doesn't matter if the lights are turned on.. when the lumisphere is recessed or is shielded from other lights it will give reading only for the light it is directed towards.. it's different from when you are average metering with the lumisphere out and can 'see' all around.. the first reading that mark took was with the lumisphere out because it was the only light present..
You can either turn off the other lights or just retract the light meter globe so it is not sticking out (he mentions that in the video and also you see him standing in front of the other light he is not metering) and catching any of the other light. So when metering lights you just want to meter the light your metering.
Thanks for the video Mark. I don't do much of this type of photography so I only have one flash and a shoot through umbrella. Could I get away with using two reflectors in place of the the fill and hair lights for the few times that I may do this?
Thanks so much. This is great video. I might have missed it but when you meter for your fill light, your key is turned of? I've done this before and when I turned the key and the fill on, there was too much light. It's hard for me to control the light in small space.
Super rrrrrr .My age 76yrs once I am using Metz 502 and 60 ct1with mecalux slave for industrial photography with Hasselblad 500 Cm with 50mm Ditagon lens . It is my experience with you
great explanation of the fundamentals. I’ve done portraits over the years but it’s not my main type of photography, so I’m glad to have a refresher. Also, you got a nice model, howabout having her put on some fashionable modeling clothes next time :)
No, the trigger (controller) and flashes are proprietary. You have to get triggers that match your flashes. I shot all this in manual mode, but these lights do have TTL if you prefer that.
I never understood a light meter. I eyeball it and nail exposure typically with 2 test shots. There have been a couple occasions where I get it spot on the first time.
why do you point the flash meter at the camera with the main light but you point it directly at the flash with the other lights? does anyone know? i am learning flash here on youtube university lol
Gotta say...I first dived into the lighting arena with so much inspiration from the many RUclips videos watched. I purchased the right equipment, within my mean of course. I returned some over the top things I found really were not needed at this time. I was totally overwhelmed by the entire lighting process and turned back to my passion...wildlife and nature photography. I just about swore off doing any studio portrait work. Then I ran across this tutorial for Studio Lighting for Beginners - The Three Light Setup with Mark Wallace. That inspiration returned and I thought....This is one of the easiest, user friendly tutorials I've seen yet. I broke out my two Soft lights, a snoop and even threw in a couple of affordable LED color lights for enhancement. I viewed this video several time and attempted to mock every step as I could. After about 3 weeks of playing around, it all came together. My pictures turned into portraits. I was able to achieve the same lighting, with a little modification also learned from the video. Now with another week past and posting some self samples to my social media accounts, one of my friends actually requested a session with me. I jumped on the opportunity to have an outside model and offered to do it for free in order to relieve any stress I may get from my first time. Thank you for sharing this video and for rekindling my inspiration into another field of photography.
can I check your social media? I wonder how the results was
Selection of Teresa is great taste. But your teaching this so simple and easy 100/100. Great job.🎉
Thank you teresa for your effort standing a whole 20 mins
Getting started is difficult simply from all of the choices of light modifiers and light stands. For example, I now have a 36" and a 48" round softbox, a normal light stand, and a C-stand. Some of that was included in a package deal so I didn't have a choice of type, etc. But after watching a bunch of videos, it seems like I also need to add strip boxes, and square boxes to the line-up. It's just overwhelming when starting out. I'm obviously going to practice with what I've got and learn the in and outs, but there is just so much to learn.
I'm doing research as well as a brush up on studio lighting especially for a job and this has been a really good refresher into lighting and made me feel more prepared thanks
I always learn something from Mark and other instructors. Hope to see Emily Teague or other do another lighting setup.
Excellent video Mark. You show, and explain thing's so well. You are a great photography teacher.
Wow...I am new to photography. But haven't seen such explanation over internet about lighting. Just Wow
Mark as always your teaching skills are amazing. I have learnt so much just watching you and Joey. Thanks to you both and Adorama.
I love this. As someone who only does hobby street photos with (often participating) strangers, I try to replicate these ideas using what's in the street. The sun for a key light, a white wall like a fill light, maybe even my camera flashlight as a back light (if I trust someone to hold it!) although that's fairly untested so far and may be too weak.
So yeah, I'm always trying to look where big white walls are etc. Sometimes I'll hold up my clenched fist to see where the shadows are.
Your diligence is sincerely appreciated.
Cheers to you and Teresa , Mark, for an outstanding video. Love the setups you demo'd and really enjoyed your animation showing each light, then all lights. What a teaching tool!
Thank you for explaining this in detail without being complicated. I really appreciate it.
thank you Mark. You are still awesome. I learned photography through your videos over a decade ago.
Hope you bring back Mark in coming months? Great instructor.
ruclips.net/channel/UCFrmZQhRSVgnCreE0mM2QQg
Thought I'd mention a problem I experienced. Using correct settings as advised, my images looked over exposed when reviewing on the camera rear screen. Took me a while to realize that I had the screen set to fully bright for outdoor viewing. Perhaps Adorama customers should be aware of potential misunderstanding. Thanks for the great videos, Mark Wallace in particular.
The histogram is vital for this aspect.
Thank you Mark this was a great tutorial for a novice like me. You have the knack of explaining things so clearly and I always enjoy watching your videos and learning from them. Much appreciated keep up the great work.
Love the video. Just a little bit of history, if you look at portraits of photographers most are wearing dark shirts.
Brilliant presentation with absolute clarity. Full marks.
Mark, why not use true stops, say, f11 for your key light, to make subsequent calculations easier?
It's good to be refreshed in studio lighting . Although I now do now 98% environmental photography . It has been 30 plus years since , I've done any studio photography ! The principles are still the same . Mr. Light meter as well as lighting system has advanced to where you can add more than 5 lighting strobes in lighting your scene ! Remarkable video tutorial on Studio lighting !
I don't do any either & Mark makes me want to go out & purchase everything!
Hi Mark, great tutorials. You explain things really well. Question for you.... what type of set up would you use if you had two or more people in the shot?
What an excellent teacher 🙏🏽
Excellent lighting and demonstration of a classic 3 light setup . Learned a lot in 1 lesson especially about the differences in stops..Well done !
thank you for this very clear and interesting lesson on lighting , I will follow you from now on. I AM a beginner and ready to learn from you
Simple and comprehensive. Thank you for your informative video
Really amazing video. Absolutely perfect for beginning portrait photography.
This is an excellent video! Thanks to Mark and to Adorama for putting this up. (I even bookmarked it for a repeat viewing.)
loved the way you explained the activities...
Very use full knowlage in 3 light setup
This is an easy an great tutorial. But i would teach students doing this without a lightmeter! Maybe that will take more time to learn, but it brings much more knwoledge in lightning from the beginning. 🙂
This is incredible Mark...cheers!
Great video mark
I use a mola Demi main
3’ Octa fill
1X3 strip with a grid for a fill
As for the hair or kicker I set based on hair color. Blonde lower power darker hair high power
When you have a sec could you do a demo with the Elinchrom Five, one.
Have a great day
Thank you Mr.Mark simple and clear
Awesome explanation of the main/fill/hair light setup
Thank you for providing such clear explanations of how to set up photography lighting.
Thanks Mark, I always appreciate your excellent videos 👍
Excellent explanation Mark. I don't use the Sekonic light meter so I'll have to keep remembering how many F stops is a full stop. But fantastic way of explaining all of that.
A wonderful lesson ❤ Thanx guys!
Great articulation and so simple for beginners to pick up! You opened up a whole door in front of me ... thanks Mark 👍🏼👌🏼
Another great video from Mark!!
Always enjoyable!
excellent light setup video 👌👌
Extremely interesting and well taught session on the 3-light system Can't wait op go out and try this
So helpful & clearly explained! Thanks!
Thanks Mark for the explanation! Awesome
Well explained video about 3-light setup. The foundation for taking your portrait photography to the next level.
This was incredibly helpful!
Great explanation. Well done.
Very straight to the point video! Perfect!❤
GreaT!! i LIKE the Key Light only! Thanks for teaching so well!
best video on the topic.
Well explaned on how to set up the lighting positions but lets keep it real Mark this is for beginners that dont want or need to or buy the top end Sekonic L 858D light meter as you well know that you can do this with a cheaper meter like the sekonic L 308s at a fraction of the price .
you don't need a light meter
@@natestain7103 That's very true i go by what i have learnt from the past and one roughly know the set up and power of the lights But it is always good practice to learn how to use one.
@@natestain7103 you dont but a light meter makes everything so much faster. No need to experiment.
You are correct. That's the only meter I own now, so I had to use what's in my bag. But... take a look at these: ruclips.net/video/Tqt7EtVllIw/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/ZgByvP55mL4/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/Rrj2Iqot0mk/видео.html
@@natestain7103 You can definitely use other methods, but a light meter will save you tons of time and give you more consistency. Check out this ruclips.net/video/5Cgt-qMZNNM/видео.html and ruclips.net/video/oSuTtkNPsfE/видео.html
Thank you. I don't use it as it gives you 'cats eyes'. Still interesting though, please keep them coming, they have been helpful.
Great tutorial video, you are a great Teacher Mark Wallace!
Will the lights in my house matter? I have two large windows with natural light but should I use blackout curtains? Confused about how the room should be.
Thanks for the tip Mark your the best
Excellent Video. Very informative.
thank you, very clear and informative!
"i've never see a 15-20 light setup, but it could be" Joe McNally "Hold my Nikon"
I see mostly people keep 200 watt light on 7-15%.
How much light (in watt) is required for RUclips videos. I mean for "head to chest".
Is 60w light will not enough on 30-50%?
Very useful for a newb like me, thanks!
Well done, Mark! One question, though...when you're metering the Fill Light and the Hair Light, are you turning the other light(s) off so that only the light you're metering is turned on or are all the lights turned on and adding to the metered exposure?
Hi Mark, can you please answer this question. I assume you’re turning the other lights off when you’re meeting each light, correct?
I don’t think so. I think you need to fire all the lights. You are trying to achieve fill light falling on the subject to have one stop less than key light. That fill light should include the light bouncing from the key light say from the wall, if it does. Same for hair light. Correct me if I am wrong.
@@ramukmarks i agree with you ，
It doesn't matter if the lights are turned on.. when the lumisphere is recessed or is shielded from other lights it will give reading only for the light it is directed towards.. it's different from when you are average metering with the lumisphere out and can 'see' all around.. the first reading that mark took was with the lumisphere out because it was the only light present..
You can either turn off the other lights or just retract the light meter globe so it is not sticking out (he mentions that in the video and also you see him standing in front of the other light he is not metering) and catching any of the other light. So when metering lights you just want to meter the light your metering.
Great information. I want to photograph 30mm miniatures using the three lights, would the same information apply?
Cheers
Matt
France
Amazing explenation, thanks
Thanks for the video Mark. I don't do much of this type of photography so I only have one flash and a shoot through umbrella. Could I get away with using two reflectors in place of the the fill and hair lights for the few times that I may do this?
You could! It will be tricky to get the light bouncing exactly right, but it can be done. Give it a shot and let us know how it goes.
@@MarkWallaceVideos will do, thanks
Thank you for this great session
Thanks so much. This is great video. I might have missed it but when you meter for your fill light, your key is turned of? I've done this before and when I turned the key and the fill on, there was too much light. It's hard for me to control the light in small space.
thank you, very helpful
Brilliant !! cheers!!
I just put up my lights and take a test shot. No $500 meter needed.
A masterclass. Well done!
Thx! Great basic lighting video!
This is awesome! Thanks
perfect, good teacher
Great tutorial Mark, thank you!
Thank you for explain very easily :)
these videos are great !
excellent sir,thank you
Fantastic!
Well explained!
Super rrrrrr .My age 76yrs once I am using Metz 502 and 60 ct1with mecalux slave for industrial photography with Hasselblad 500 Cm with 50mm Ditagon lens . It is my experience with you
Thank you
great explanation of the fundamentals. I’ve done portraits over the years but it’s not my main type of photography, so I’m glad to have a refresher. Also, you got a nice model, howabout having her put on some fashionable modeling clothes next time :)
I have the key light, fill light, do I really need the hair light? I am filming in my room and there are plenty of lights from windows above.
Very informative
Thanks man i appreciate that great video
That model's got a great rack for photography. Muy nice.
Thanks sir your kind information 😘😘😘
Excellent
SUPER. SUPER , THE BEST
நன்றாக இருக்கிறது வாழ்த்துக்கள் R.MANOHAR-CHENNAI
Awesome 👍
So with these lights & trigger/controler you could use them with any brand camera system, just not TTL, correct? Great vid.
No, the trigger (controller) and flashes are proprietary. You have to get triggers that match your flashes. I shot all this in manual mode, but these lights do have TTL if you prefer that.
@@MarkWallaceVideosI think that is what I’m saying. All Ellinchrome flashes/trigger/controller. Should work on any camera brand in manual.
I never understood a light meter. I eyeball it and nail exposure typically with 2 test shots. There have been a couple occasions where I get it spot on the first time.
It is a little difficult to nail the exposure with test shots when shooting film.
I understand thank you
I think that the camera is pretty photogenic. You should have left it in 😀
Brilliant
do I really need a lightmeter? Its hella expensive
THANKYOU
why do you point the flash meter at the camera with the main light but you point it directly at the flash with the other lights?
does anyone know? i am learning flash here on youtube university lol