Lighting Setups Archives — Westcott University

How to Simulate Sunlight in Studio Photography

05/21/2025

2689

Joel Grimes breaks down one of his go-to studio setups using just two lights to mimic the feel of natural sun. It’s a repeatable, controlled way to get dramatic shadows and that cinematic outdoor style, all...

Lighting Breakdown: How to Film a Corporate Video

Team Westcott

05/09/2025

Lighting Tips

2011

Westcott videographer Jacob Schoonover shows how he tackled a commercial shoot for a local business using constant lights, portable light modifiers, and a flexible mindset to capture great footage with a...

3 Ways to Use a Beauty Dish Switch by Manny Ortiz

Manny Ortiz

04/26/2022

Lighting Tips

6539

In this video, portrait photographer Manny Ortiz breaks down three ways to use the Westcott 36” Beauty Dish Switch. The beauty dish was designed to capture both pristine beauty headshots and full-body...

Benefits Of Off-Camera Flash Vs Natural Light For Outdoor Portraits

Ashley Boring

11/06/2020

Lighting Tips

6750

As a portrait photographer, it’s important to be aware of the lighting conditions that you face in natural environments. Whether you are looking to use natural light or off-camera flash when shooting outdoor...

Freezing Motion with Precision: FJ400 Freeze Mode Explained

Ashley Boring

09/11/2020

Lighting Tips

6836

When working in the studio in most situations, 1/280th of a second flash duration is more than enough to freeze your subject. But sometimes you need to photograph something that is moving much faster; a...

Using Flash to Mimic Any Time of Day in Portraits

Ashley Boring

08/21/2020

Lighting Tips

7543

As photographers, we all know that you don't always get to shoot at the exact time of day you would like to. However, thanks to off camera flash, you are not tied down by mother nature.

How to Create an Easy One Light Portrait

Ian Spanier

02/19/2020

Lighting Tips

11294

Celebrity fashion photographer Ian Spanier began taking photographs at six years old when his parents gave him his first point-and-shoot camera.

How to Simplify Photo Compositing with the FJ400’s Mask Function

Matt Hernandez

12/13/2019

Lighting Tips

16658

The original FJ400 strobe's Mask Function is an excellent tool for creating in-camera cutout masks of foreground objects for easy photo compositing.

How to Create Rembrandt Lighting For Male Portraits

Glyn Dewis

11/18/2019

Lighting Tips

16884

Rembrandt lighting is a classic lighting setup that most portrait photographers can master with a little practice. Rembrandt lighting creates a pretty dramatic, timeless look and it can be created with just a...

Matching Ambient Light with Tunable LEDs

Ian Spanier

10/31/2019

Lighting Tips

8557

Celebrity fashion photographer Ian Spanier began taking photographs at six years old when his parents gave him his first point and shoot camera.

3 Point Lighting Setup - Behind the Scenes

3 Point Lighting Setup for Bold Commercial Photography

Ian Spanier

10/04/2019

Lighting Tips

17988

Celebrity commercial photographer Ian Spanier began taking photographs at six years old when his parents gave him his first point and shoot camera.

How to Get the Best Facial Expressions for Your Portraits

Peter Hurley

06/14/2019

Lighting Tips

11884

Peter Hurley is a master of posing and capturing authentic, flattering facial expressions. He is one of the world’s top headshot photographers and founder of the renowned Headshot Crew.

3 Ways To Use Plexiglass For Creative Portraits

Ashley Boring

06/04/2019

Lighting Tips

17385

As a portrait photographer, it can often be difficult to keep things interesting in the studio. Adding a unique element to your images can help them stand out while also allowing you to have little fun.

Professional Lighting for Awesome Headshots

Peter Hurley

11/27/2018

Lighting Tips

10405

Educator, motivator, and headshot master Peter Hurley is known for creating flattering portraits with pristine lighting. To get the most out of each of his client's headshot sessions, Peter developed a...

How to Create Cross Lighting Like Joel Grimes

Joel Grimes

08/21/2018

Lighting Tips

14466

Renowned photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Joel Grimes is known for creating impeccably clean and stylized lifestyle portraits.

Lighting for Black and White Portraits

Team Westcott

03/29/2018

Lighting Tips

9268

This article is courtesy of lifestyle photographer Jay Watson. It first appeared on Rangefinder. Using one big light source created three things for this black and white assignment for Bicycling magazine of...

Creating Cinematic Sports Photography

Matt Hernandez

11/15/2017

Lighting Tips

17460

Matt Hernandez began his career as an award-winning graphic artist in his home state of Kentucky. After discovering a passion for photography, Matt combined his experience in design with his...

Behind the Scenes with Flex Drum Softbox

Behind the Scenes with the Flex Drum Softbox

Jem Schofield

10/17/2017

Lighting Tips

12103

In this behind the scenes look, filmmaker and producer Jem Schofield offers an overview of the Flex Drum Softbox. The Flex Drum is an awesome new solution for filmmakers and cinematographers looking to create...

Flex Collapsible China Cube - Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes with the Flex China Cube

Jem Schofield

10/17/2017

Lighting Tips

10075

In this behind the scenes look, filmmaker and producer Jem Schofield offers an overview of the Flex Cube modifier. The is an awesome new solution for filmmakers and cinematographers looking to create soft...

Fashion Photography with Octaboxes

Jerry Ghionis

08/23/2017

Lighting Tips

13927

Octabanks (or octaboxes) are one of the most popular styles of light modifiers. These large octagonal softboxes are an awesome tool for creating soft, even lighting in the studio.

How to Create Environmental Food Photography

Steve Hansen

01/06/2017

Lighting Tips

8447

Seattle-based photographer Steve Hansen has a knack for creating food images that pop. Standard food photography is often times flat and lifeless, with minimal props and color.

Creating Cinematic Portraits with LED Continuous Light

How to Create a Mirrored Lighting Effect In-Camera

Using Flash to Mimic Natural Window Light for Portraits

How to Create Multiple Portrait Looks with One Portable Strobe

How to Choose the Best Light Modifiers for Portrait Photography

Mastering Beauty Dish Portraits

Mastering Golden Hour Portraits with Off-Camera Flash

Comparing Large vs. Small Photo Umbrellas

The Best Holiday Gifts for Photographers in 2025

Easy Portrait Lighting Setups with One, Two, and Three Lights

How to Create Window Light in Studio

Square Softboxes vs Octa Softboxes

Portrait Lighting in Challenging Locations

High-Speed Sync Portraits in Full Sun Using the FJ200 Strobe

How to Simulate Sunlight in Studio Photography

Lighting Breakdown: How to Film a Corporate Video

3 Ways to Use a Beauty Dish Switch by Manny Ortiz

Benefits Of Off-Camera Flash Vs Natural Light For Outdoor Portraits

Freezing Motion with Precision: FJ400 Freeze Mode Explained

Using Flash to Mimic Any Time of Day in Portraits

How to Create an Easy One Light Portrait

How to Simplify Photo Compositing with the FJ400’s Mask Function

How to Create Rembrandt Lighting For Male Portraits

Matching Ambient Light with Tunable LEDs

3 Point Lighting Setup for Bold Commercial Photography

How to Get the Best Facial Expressions for Your Portraits

3 Ways To Use Plexiglass For Creative Portraits

Professional Lighting for Awesome Headshots

How to Create Cross Lighting Like Joel Grimes

Lighting for Black and White Portraits

Creating Cinematic Sports Photography

Behind the Scenes with the Flex Drum Softbox

Behind the Scenes with the Flex China Cube

Fashion Photography with Octaboxes

How to Create Environmental Food Photography

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