In today’s video, I'm going to show you five dramatic lighting setups using just one light source. These setups are designed to help you create stunning, impactful images. Some of these techniques are featured in my One Light Lighting Handbook which you can check out at the link below if you want to take your lighting skills to the next level!
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Lighting Handbooks
johngress.com/lightinghandbooks/
The Academy with John Gress
johngress.com/academy/
GEAR USED
Lights:
Elinchrom FIVE
Adorama howl.me/cjCnmmUpjV1
Amazon amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H bhpho.to/3LcypYZ
Bowens 200mm Fresnel Lens
Amazon amzn.to/3RViwdR
NiceFoto SN-29 Flash Concentrator Conical Snoot Kit
Amazon amzn.to/3aCtOM0
Modifiers:
Elinchrom Rotalux Deep Octabox (100cm / 39”)
Adorama howl.me/cjCnv90VNi5Amazon amzn.to/3fRG5AH
B&H bhpho.to/3oSg0cy
Elinchrom Rotalux Go Octa Softbox 60 cm (24’’) amzn.to/3g66TR9
Elinchrom Rotalux Go Adapter for Elinchrom amzn.to/3T1a2jC
Elinchrom Softlite White Beauty Dish Reflector (27.6", 64°)
Adorama howl.me/cjCnv9Msdmw
B&H bhpho.to/3etOUn6
Bowens 200mm Fresnel Lens
Amazon amzn.to/3RViwdR
Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Octa Softbox 190cm (75”) Adorama howl.me/cjCnmmmWLgl Amazon amzn.to/3GZa45LB&H bhpho.to/3oOM4Oq
Other Equipment:
Canon EOS R5
Adorama howl.me/cjCnaWpm8UM
Amazon amzn.to/3vPGmeb
B&H bhpho.to/3VbPdUw
Canon BG-R10
Adorama howl.me/cjCnaWADdkp
Amazon amzn.to/2OUmRQY
B&H bhpho.to/3niVtNI
Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM
Adorama howl.me/cjCnaWi7o2f
Amazon amzn.to/2Z4GOd5
B&H bhpho.to/3HkgKNY
Studio Titan Camera Stand STA-01-360 MK2
Adorama howl.me/cjGcfVD3aCG
B&H bhpho.to/3cf4RfL
V-FLAT WORLD Foldable V-Flat, Set of 2, Black/White
Adorama howl.me/cjGcCZBleDO
Amazon amzn.to/3NI0f29
B&H bhpho.to/3VD8tKR
V-Flat World bit.ly/3fXqaid
Segments:
1. Using HSS Outdoors: Capturing dynamic motion of a triathlete with a sunrise backdrop using the Elinchrom Five and a 100 cm Rotalux Deep Octabox. The Balancing flash with ambient light for stunning sunset portraits on a boat with the Rotalux Go 24-inch softbox.
2. Behind-the-Scenes Look with Derek - Using a 27-inch white beauty dish boomed over the set to create high-contrast, dramatic portraits.
3. Old Hollywood Style - Creating a vintage look with a Bowens 200mm Fresnel lens for focused, sunlight-like illumination.
4. Hard Light with an Optical Snoot** - Sculpting muscles with hard light and gobos for precise, shadowed patterns.
5. Rim Lighting - Creating a dramatic outline around the subject with a 190cm Octabox for a striking silhouette.
Referenced Videos:
- [Elinchrom FIVE Marketing Campaign](#)
- [One Light Lighting Handbook](#)
#PhotographyLighting
#StudioPhotography
#PortraitLighting
#PhotographyTips
#LightingSetup
Transcript:
In today’s video, I'm going to show you five dramatic lighting setups using just one light source. These setups are designed to help you create stunning, impactful images. Some of these techniques are featured in my One Light Lighting Handbook which you can check out at the link below if you want to take your lighting skills to the next level! So let’s get started.
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For years I wanted to photograph triathletes running out of Lake Michigan at sunrise. So we headed out to the beach before dawn with an Elinchrom 5 in a 100cm Rotolux Deep Octabox, one of my favorite modifiers because it's versatile and perfect for both full-body shots and closeups.
To capture the action, I set my camera to 1/5000th of a second at f2 at ISO, which was fast enough to freeze every droplet of water in motion. High-speed sync was crucial here to balance the bright sunrise with my strobe.
When you're shooting outside, the first thing you want to think about is what f-stop you want to use to get the depth of field you're looking for. Then, pick your shutter speed and ISO combination so that the sky is exposed correctly...
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:06 - Trathletes in Action
02:36 - Sunset at Sea
03:40 - BTS Beauty
04:19 - Retouching
05:17 - Fresnel Fun
06:24 - Topical Optical
08:20 - The Rim of his Hat
09:21 - Conclusion