Professional portrait photographers often shoot on location where controlled studio lighting isn't available. This course teaches you to combine strobe lighting with natural light to create sophisticated portraits in varied environments. Award-winning commercial photographer Joel Grimes, member of the Canon Explorer of Light team, breaks down eleven different lighting setups across diverse locations, including boxing gyms, parks, rooftops with direct sun, and traditional studios.
You'll master techniques for:
- Using neutral density filters to combine ambient and strobe lighting for a shallow depth of field
- Creating HDR 32-bit depth images through ISO bracketing
- Building textured backgrounds for character portraits and compositing them in Photoshop
- Overpowering sunlight with a strobe for creative control
- Adapting to on-location challenges and varying light conditions
Joel's extensive commercial photography experience translates to practical, real-world instruction. Rather than teaching abstract concepts, he demonstrates actual techniques used in professional shoots. You'll develop the ability to create iconic images anywhere you go, using lightweight, portable equipment while maintaining professional-quality results. His expertise in light mastery and creative problem-solving under pressure elevates your portrait capabilities significantly.
