Lighting How To

Shutterbug featured the unique work of expert light painter Jason Page back in 2014, and he has a fascinating new tutorial that will help you learn this popular technique. In this video, Page uses the Light Painting Brushes system to create some imaginative effects.

It’s one of those debates photographers will probably have for eternity: is it better to shoot using only natural light or with strobe lighting? Of course, there’s no right answer but it’s always fun to put both types of lighting to the test.

As an avid photographer, paying close attention to Shutterbug’s articles and tutorials, you’ve become pretty confident about using a camera to achieve sharp, properly exposed images. Congratulations: You’re halfway there.

Many portrait photographers employ a portable light to boost ambient illumination and fill in shadows when shooting outdoors. In the four-minute video below you’ll see how simple diffusion panels can modify the quality of light and give you exactly the look you’re after.

Professional photographer Peter McKinnon admits it: He’s always been intimidated by shooting after dark, explaining that “The rules are completely different at night, and it’s a whole different ballgame.” Thus, until recently, McKinnon’s photography always ground to a halt after the sun dropped below the horizon.

On-camera flash tends to get a bum rap, especially for portrait photography. But if you want to shoot stunning people pictures at night, unencumbered by flash brackets, light modifiers, or other flash attachments, all you have to do is watch the quick tutorial below. 

There was a time when lens flare was considered a negative attribute of photos shot outdoors. Often caused by using a lens with inferior coatings (or no coatings at all), flare can also result from failing to use a lens hood when shooting on sunny days (depending on your position relative to the sun).