In this episode, Mark Wallace explains why the three-light setup is the foundation for every lighting setup. Mark walks through each light, meters, and shows the results. Once the three-light setup is finished, Mark shows how the concepts can be adapted for other lighting setups. Once you understand these basics you’ll be able to create almost any setup imaginable.
BOOKMARKS
0:00 Introduction
1:15 Setting up the Key light
4:09 Metering the Key light
6:02 Setting up the Fill light
7:29 Metering for EV differences
11:30 Setting up the Hair light
15:00 Comparing key, fill, and hair lights
15:26 Converting a 3-light setup to a 4-light setup
17:22 Converting a 3-light setup to a 2-light setup
19:35 Conclusion and additional tips
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama!
__________________________________
✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Sekonic L-858D-U Speedmaster Light Meter
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Canon BG-R10 Battery Grip for EOS R5 and EOS R6
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
Elinchrom ELC 500/500 Studio Monolight Dual Kit with Reflectors and Case
Elinchrom EL-Skyport 40 Channel 2.4GHz Transmitter Plus HS for Canon Cameras
Elinchrom 24×31.5″ Rotalux Rectabox
Elinchrom 27″ Rotalux Squarebox
Elinchrom 30 Degree Rotagrid for Rotalux Squarebox, 27×27″
Elinchrom 20×51″ Rotalux Stripbox
Elinchrom Snoot with 10 Degree Grid
Westcott Photo Basics 40″ 5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector Kit with Case, Reflector Holder Arm & Stand
#beginnerphotography #threelightsetup #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET’S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ Facebook
➥ Instagram
➥ Twitter
➥ Twitch
➥ Adorama Music
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop
➥ Blog
➥ Live Events
➥ Create No Matter What
➥ Podcast
__________________________________
Follow Mark
Model: Teresa
__________________________________
RELATED VIDEOS
How the Position of Light Changes Your Photos
Light Meter Basics
Where Should You Point Your Light Meter?
Move Your Camera With Your Model to Get Incredible Portraits
Create Vertical Contrast For Striking Portraits
The Quality of Light
Comparing Light Modifiers
Create High Contrast Portraits
Creating Beautiful Portraits with Clamshell Lighting
How to Use The Exposure Diamond to Balance Flash and Ambient Light
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
Comments
30 responses to “Studio Lighting For Beginners – The Three Light Setup | Mark Wallace”
Great information. I want to photograph 30mm miniatures using the three lights, would the same information apply?
Cheers
Matt
France
these videos are great !
Awesome 👍
Outstanding stuff, Kudos. Thankyou so much for putting this video up for the rest of us. Really appreciate it.
You kind of complicated things a bit
Toooooooo much talk. Tooooo much fuss over 0.1 difference in matching one light to another. This is for beginners; you are way over most heads. Remember the KISS principle . . . Show how the key sets the basic shape of the face, then how much shadow the fill can remove with small adjustments up and down. That's all a beginner needs.
Theresa isn't too far from the background, which is plain, why f11 when you could possibly go down to f4 or f5?
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
Excellent video Mark. You show, and explain thing's so well. You are a great photography teacher.
Thank you for providing such clear explanations of how to set up photography lighting.
Thank you Mr.Mark simple and clear
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
What an excellent teacher 🙏🏽
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.
Wow…I am new to photography. But haven't seen such explanation over internet about lighting. Just Wow
Brilliant presentation with absolute clarity. Full marks.
Very useful for a newb like me, thanks!
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.
My gosh, why not just set your main light at f11 and put your fill on f8??
Very interesting video, however, it is called "Studio Lighting For Beginners". I am not sure how many beginners have that kind of a high tec light meter. Here it would be better if you showed how to determine the flash power without any light meter at all. Just as a beginner most probably would do.
best video on the topic.
This is awesome! Thanks
perfekt. vielen Dank
Great articulation and so simple for beginners to pick up! You opened up a whole door in front of me … thanks Mark 👍🏼👌🏼
We used to call that a “ double kicker” with fill.
nice tips …… thanks bro,….
Awesome explanation of the main/fill/hair light setup
Thank you for this great session
"i've never see a 15-20 light setup, but it could be" Joe McNally "Hold my Nikon"
excellent light setup video 👌👌