Phenomenal tutorial. My only thought is you gave way too much time to telling those people what this is not about rather than acknowledging it and moving on.
I’ve done landscape for years only done portrait when asked. Have done a couple big groups that were a lighting nightmare for me, gave me headaches and the thought of doing it again just made me want to crawl under my editing desk and hide. But now I’m getting more into portrait and may have to face this fear in the future. This was very helpful and answered any questions I thought of along way. THANKS.
This is one of the most helpful tutorials I’ve seen. So informative. Just what I need. Look forward to more lighting groups tutorials. Desperately need it.
Joe Sir we can put silver umbrellas reverse, black side of the umbrella facing towards photographer, it can create a crispy contrast and details will increase dramatically, your thoughts on it. Please. Thank you.
@@theJoeEdelman Thank you for your valuable time to reply back. Looking forward for more assistant and sharing of knowledge from your platform, towards Photography. 😊
Thanks a million, Joe! A super valuable video explanation of lots of things! Surprised this has so few "likes", but I am going to look at your other videos now. Please keep sharing your extensive experience!
Joe!!! You blew my mind re the height of the lights! Had an issue where the reflections in a window the other day and I had to move the light to the side to get rid of the refection but I never tried increasing the height!!!!!!!! Never even thought of it!!!!
@dennisgrimaldi4332 since you used the word "can" - the short answer is YES. However, the better answer is that if you are on a budget the 45" MAY be more versatile, but that depends on the style of lighting that you like to do, the power of the light source and also very importantly the space that you will be working in. As an example if you are using a 45" umbrella in a room with an 8foot ceiling, you do not want your subjects standing up as too much of the light will becoming form below their faces because you can't get that big modifier high enough - so in that situation it only works well if you have your subject sitting. That is just one example but hopefully it illustrates why your question doesn't have a simple answer. For my taste - I can accomplish pretty much everything a 45" would do - with the smaller 32".
Thank you so much for this! One question. You mention that the farther the lights are the harsher it is and the shadows will be more prominent. But at around 36:35 you say farthering the distance of light is better for groups and couples?
Great question @benheo and I should have made it clearer because it can be confusing. Indeed you can have a big light or big modifier and the further you move it from the subject the smaller it becomes in relationship to the subject. On the flip side - when we talk about groups - especially big groups - we have to consider light spread. Even though you may have a big modifier - if it is closer to the group there is less time for the light to spread so it will light less of the group - requiring more lights to evennly illuminate the entire group. If you move the lights back - it gives the light more time to spread and cover more of the group. Indeed the light quality will be a bit more harsh than if the lights were close - but for a group shot - we usually aren't trying to achieve portrait quality lighting on each person in the photo. Unfortunately nothing in photography is binary, so a great solution for one situation is not necessarily great in another. That is why it is important to experiment and practice with the Inverse Square law to develop a practical understanding of it and then it becomes a very powerful tool in your kit.
@@theJoeEdelman Thank you so much for taking the time to explain! I also appreciate you emphasizing the need to think about lighting principles and problem-solving. Group photos can be challenging!
I enjoyed your closing comments! Most of us (not all!) are lazy and want the operator to upload a program so we can say, wow! I know feathering! (Or insert another skill) 😂
Thanks for the video and your knowledge Joe. I may just go out and get a couple of shoot through umbrellas. I shoot for fun in my home and use softboxes with grids to control the light but the shoot through umbrellas will give me something different. I agree with you, every one today wants to know the numbers. People seem to think that there is some magic formula for a good photo. They want it quantized. I would be interested in your take on reflective umbrellas for group shots.
Checking in from Yakima, Wash. When running the flash manually and using a modifier, do you calculate the distance to subject from the face of the modifier or the actual flash?
What a great tutorial. When I’m in a location that I want to show the environment, the first thing I do is set the camera so that it’s about 1 stop underexposing the environment, and then set my key light so it’s a stop brighter than that at the subject (so correctly exposed for the person/group). Do you think that’s a reasonable way to go about it?
@@theJoeEdelman you are a great portrait photographer and artist. Your demeanor and personality are both a pleasure to watch and listen to. I’m 70 years old and didn’t get into photography until I was almost retired from UPS at age 58. I then got serious shooting small weddings, portraits, real estate, corporate events, youth sports portraits, and family sessions. I’m not great at anything and I’m not full time at this. It’s side money that I truly love and appreciate. Maybe one day if I focus on just a few genres rather covering such a wide area of photography I can improve and make more than I currently make. Thanks again Joe Joe👍
![Tee Grizzley - Blow for Blow (feat. J. Cole) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wNLN5xsx5dc/mqdefault.jpg)
Phenomenal tutorial. My only thought is you gave way too much time to telling those people what this is not about rather than acknowledging it and moving on.
I literally LOVE how you teach. Your honesty is refreshing ! Thank you for this - it's one of the best tutorials I've ever seen :)
The software he's using is called, set a light 3d, elixxer software.
I’ve done landscape for years only done portrait when asked. Have done a couple big groups that were a lighting nightmare for me, gave me headaches and the thought of doing it again just made me want to crawl under my editing desk and hide. But now I’m getting more into portrait and may have to face this fear in the future. This was very helpful and answered any questions I thought of along way. THANKS.
This is one of the most helpful tutorials I’ve seen. So informative. Just what I need. Look forward to more lighting groups tutorials. Desperately need it.
Does this apply to all group portrait shoots? If you’re shooting a family of 4. Im speaking about your comments about lowering the camera.
Attention to DETAIL a family group portrait with KIDS in it, that is the challenge. As always thanks for all.
hi, joe what type of software are you using to recreate this light setup?
I’d like this software too!
I learnt so much from this session. Thank you.
Joe Sir we can put silver umbrellas reverse, black side of the umbrella facing towards photographer, it can create a crispy contrast and details will increase dramatically, your thoughts on it. Please. Thank you.
Sure JIGNESH PARIKH - thats just another lighting style. I personally am not a fan of it - but a lot of photographers like silver modifiers.
@@theJoeEdelman Thank you for your valuable time to reply back. Looking forward for more assistant and sharing of knowledge from your platform, towards Photography. 😊
Thanks a million, Joe! A super valuable video explanation of lots of things! Surprised this has so few "likes", but I am going to look at your other videos now. Please keep sharing your extensive experience!
James from Anchorage Alaska love your videos. Still trying to make a logical choice what is the best lighting for me.
Thanks for this one Joe! Great advice. Greetz from Belgium
Great episode Joe! Especially liked the tips regarding light adjustments (tilt and height) and camera height.
Joe!!! You blew my mind re the height of the lights! Had an issue where the reflections in a window the other day and I had to move the light to the side to get rid of the refection but I never tried increasing the height!!!!!!!! Never even thought of it!!!!
I understand you using the 32" umbrellas vs the 45", my question can the 45 be better for a single umbrella?
@dennisgrimaldi4332 since you used the word "can" - the short answer is YES. However, the better answer is that if you are on a budget the 45" MAY be more versatile, but that depends on the style of lighting that you like to do, the power of the light source and also very importantly the space that you will be working in. As an example if you are using a 45" umbrella in a room with an 8foot ceiling, you do not want your subjects standing up as too much of the light will becoming form below their faces because you can't get that big modifier high enough - so in that situation it only works well if you have your subject sitting. That is just one example but hopefully it illustrates why your question doesn't have a simple answer. For my taste - I can accomplish pretty much everything a 45" would do - with the smaller 32".
Here again and late again - catching the rerun from Central NC.
Thank you so much for this! One question. You mention that the farther the lights are the harsher it is and the shadows will be more prominent. But at around 36:35 you say farthering the distance of light is better for groups and couples?
Great question @benheo and I should have made it clearer because it can be confusing. Indeed you can have a big light or big modifier and the further you move it from the subject the smaller it becomes in relationship to the subject. On the flip side - when we talk about groups - especially big groups - we have to consider light spread. Even though you may have a big modifier - if it is closer to the group there is less time for the light to spread so it will light less of the group - requiring more lights to evennly illuminate the entire group. If you move the lights back - it gives the light more time to spread and cover more of the group. Indeed the light quality will be a bit more harsh than if the lights were close - but for a group shot - we usually aren't trying to achieve portrait quality lighting on each person in the photo. Unfortunately nothing in photography is binary, so a great solution for one situation is not necessarily great in another. That is why it is important to experiment and practice with the Inverse Square law to develop a practical understanding of it and then it becomes a very powerful tool in your kit.
@@theJoeEdelman Thank you so much for taking the time to explain! I also appreciate you emphasizing the need to think about lighting principles and problem-solving. Group photos can be challenging!
One of the most helpful lighting/flash videos I’ve seen; thanks so much!
I enjoyed your closing comments! Most of us (not all!) are lazy and want the operator to upload a program so we can say, wow! I know feathering! (Or insert another skill) 😂
WOW WOW WOW, thanks so much for sharing this video, blessings to you and your crew,
Glad it helped!
Pamela from Texas! Yeehaw!!
Watching this is 2023 (almost 2024), and AI lets us do amazing things with ai aware fill now. It's crazy how things change.
Denise. Kentucky
Thanks for the video and your knowledge Joe. I may just go out and get a couple of shoot through umbrellas. I shoot for fun in my home and use softboxes with grids to control the light but the shoot through umbrellas will give me something different. I agree with you, every one today wants to know the numbers. People seem to think that there is some magic formula for a good photo. They want it quantized. I would be interested in your take on reflective umbrellas for group shots.
My pleasure Dominic Wroblewski! Thank you for the kind words!
G’day Joe, I hope you’re well. Glad to see another video from you.😎✌️
Hello from New York City! Which software are you using to make virtual lighting setups? Thank you for your informative video.
Excellent tutorial Joe! Very informative! Thanks 🇨🇦
,,,always check your site for tips,,,northern Alberta here
Awesome Eos Love! Thanks for commenting!
Enjoy your content from chicago
Great tutorial Joe! Just subscribed. Keep the great content coming. 🌞
Checking in from Yakima, Wash. When running the flash manually and using a modifier, do you calculate the distance to subject from the face of the modifier or the actual flash?
Are adjustable lights preferred and if so can you provide a general model to use for the umbrellas.
Your explanations are fantastic and the visual display you use is extremely helpful in understanding lighting!
What a great tutorial.
When I’m in a location that I want to show the environment, the first thing I do is set the camera so that it’s about 1 stop underexposing the environment, and then set my key light so it’s a stop brighter than that at the subject (so correctly exposed for the person/group). Do you think that’s a reasonable way to go about it?
Thank You. Very good video! I'm very glad.
Your awesome 👏🏽 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thank you Willie Mills! I appreciate the comment.
Great info here and much appreciated.👍
Glad you enjoyed it @kennypringle4580! Thanks for the kind words!
@@theJoeEdelman you are a great portrait photographer and artist. Your demeanor and personality are both a pleasure to watch and listen to.
I’m 70 years old and didn’t get into photography until I was almost retired from UPS at age 58. I then got serious shooting small weddings, portraits, real estate, corporate events, youth sports portraits, and family sessions. I’m not great at anything and I’m not full time at this. It’s side money that I truly love and appreciate. Maybe one day if I focus on just a few genres rather covering such a wide area of photography I can improve and make more than I currently make.
Thanks again Joe Joe👍
What is the name of app you use?
what software is this!?!?!
Clau in Scarsdale
What is software?
Thank you super
nice!!!!
Thank you! @erichlinha1792 Glad you enjoyed it!
complete breakdown with realtime changes in such quality is rare @@theJoeEdelman 🔥
This was great
Great stuff. Thank you !