Create Professional Studio Portraits using a Speedlight and an Umbrella | Mark Wallace

[@hitchhiker_1969]

As a pro shooting portraits of celebrities for a major newspaper's Lifestyle section I can vouch for the simplicity demonstrated here, as it's what I depend on for beautiful environmental portraits in difficult locations. I do use expensive studio lighting in my studio, but in difficult situations on location at the beach, or in situations requiring a climb or a hike, or when I am only given a few minutes with the subject, a cheap flash, a cheap umbrella, and a decent lens is all I need for beautiful results. I have had a chuckle over a couple celebs doing a double take at my on-the-fly set up due to their believing a whole production team is necessary for a "professional" result. Their contacting me afterward to purchase prints of our session says it all.

[@98bocinas]

that's awesome

[@jamesaphotography1286]

Mark Wallace is such a great teacher, he is so genuine and enthusiastic. One of the best on KZbin.

[@deenugent473]

I agree and Gavin Hoey is also a great instructor.

[@sastrydasigi7010]

Simple, direct step by step, progressive explanation. One of the best. Thanks Mark!

[@rondz1234]

I havent been on this channel in years since i first started photography years ago, I stopped got a regular job and found my passion again. now im back into the fray. The first person i thought of to refresh myself was Mark Wallace low and behold hes right here a lil older but still great teacher lol.

[@chiamakaenansofor]

As a beginner, I am less overwhelmed about having the right gear, lights and all. Thank you

[@TechSlice]

The only time I watch this channel is when I see Mark Wallace. He always has something new tricks

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy the videos.

[@sharonleibel]

@@MarkWallaceVideos I second! But where's the M???

[@josephchan4198]

I been following Mark work for a while. Awesome instructor. Hope to see more of his work if possible. Many thanks to Mark and Adorama for great work.

[@shanec4441]

2:46 on camera flash with bounce off the ceiling looks great for that setting. Great instruction and great model work

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

Thanks, Shane.

[@apurbaghosh1630]

She is great about posing there is no doubt about that.

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

Stay tuned for the next video - it's mostly about Karen posing.

[@mroblige1018]

I love budget photography vids like this. I can't stand elitist photographers who have the nerve to tell you "gear doesn't matter" and they have a 2k camera 1200 lens an 800 strobe inside a while studio and tell you that's what you need to make great photos. How tf would a beginner who isn't getting money from their parents or whoever would be able to produce the same quality? The truth is make it work with whatever you got and can afford.

[@DeaqonJamesLV]

SO you think it's elitist that I own a $40K camera several $10K lenses and still tell photographers I mentor that "gear doesn't matter"? Really? Maybe it's that we have paid our dues and have earned the ability to own such equipment, but would still create great images with "lesser" gear. There are those with all the latest and expensive equipment who take shitty photos, while some have a Canon T3i and create amazing images. Gear merely allows us to do our jobs more efficiently. I made a good six figures in 2020 using a Canon 6D I purchased in 2014. A $40K camera does the same thing as a $700 camera. At the end of the day it's about who's using the gear and what their skill sets are.

[@trekkeruss]

While this video is about a simple setup, and Mark did not say it requires a massive outlay of cash, he did in fact use a $2K camera, a $2.2K lens, and $400 of lighting equipment. While similar results could be done for less, he was not using cheap stuff.

[@jimmyhinAK]

I think if you see this logically Mark is a pro photographer he probably doesn’t have basic gear anymore. The real take away to me is use what you got to get a thorough understanding high end gear won’t improve your photography if you really don’t know what you are doing .

[@organmorgan4797]

@@DeaqonJamesLV a 40k camera doesn’t do the same as a $700 camera, as you claim, otherwise no one would buy a 40k camera instead of the $700 one in the first place. And it’s a question of horses for courses, there are situations where the $700 camera will do a better job than the 40k one ( by the way, I don’t even know of the existence of a 40k camera, the phase one backs and camera bodies don’t even cost that much.. unless things have changed dramatically over the past few years, and as for a 10 grand lens on a 40 grand camera…where? The original poster’s point stands. They are referring to commercial, architectural or fashion photographers who almost exclusively use massively eXpensive equipment, designers, artistic directors, make up artists etc as part of a team and then have the cheek to talk about people not needing expensive equipment to be a good photographer (which, ironically, in itself, is very true.)

[@ryderlawhon3422]

It’s not elitist in any way. Someone that has been in the game for a long time can save and spend their money as they please. Telling someone that is the last thing they should do to improve, and that they should work on their technical abilities before buying expensive equipment is just great advice

[@tajongsylvanus2440]

This is the right channel for me as a beginner

[@deenugent473]

The model is fantastic and charming! Great stuff Mark.

[@allanosantiago5955]

I like these simplified approach for one light setting. It really helps build once creativity to see how far you can push yourself in case your faced with temporal limitations for now. A very valuable technique. Thanks Mark and more great videos on your channel. 👍

[@langdons2848]

I'm about to undertake a project that requires single flash portrait photography and this is the best demonstration I have seen yet. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@QuanTranVisuals]

Adorama always gives quality tutorials and this one is no exception.

[@pizzaovenpizza]

I've got the camera, I've got the flash, now I need Karen

[@jimwlouavl]

Thanks for the idea of zooming the flash in to reduce spilling the light. I had always zoomed wide to fill the umbrella.

[@Alex_science]

Amazing model! Woderful! Great photos.

[@LeslieDelshaun]

Mark....you are a lifesaver!!! Great video!

[@TheLAexplorer]

This is perfect. I have a photo shoot tomorrow morning and I only have access to a flash. I think I'll try bouncing it off the ceiling. Very informative. Thank youl

[@user-ho1li7fu2k]

How did it go?

[@malthus101]

The ceiling bounce was surprisingly good

[@adriennecomeau9750]

Awesome tutorial Mark! I love using my umbrella and bring it to all my on location sessions...I learned a couple new techniques today in this video. Thank you!

[@brsaravia]

Big shout out to Karen and Mark!! Great job 👏🏻. It highly appreciated. Well Explained. Illustrative. Helpful and fun !!

[@JasminAndrade]

Thank you so much for all the information you provided in this video. You taught me more in 12 minutes compared to the multiple videos I've been researching on speed light photography. I finally feel at ease I truly appreciate it

[@XyanGuitar]

This man knows what he's doing!!! Superb!! Do you have a youtube channel for yourself? We want more from you

[@CareyP]

Great video! Love the model she is a natural!

[@HumbertoAbed]

Thank you Mark for all your teaching

[@chrisyfitz]

Fantastic explanations for us novices struggling to understand flash. Thank you :)

[@herbrockone5068]

10:02 now were cooking with gas lol. I cant remember the last time I heard that. Great mention on the zooming the flash head, I always forget to adjust when using it in general or esp in a octobox. 👌

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

hahaha. I'm old school. Glad you enjoyed the video, Herbrock.

[@leniehulse1621]

One of my old bosses always used that expression!!

[@romiemiller3093]

It makes a difference which side the flash is on for vertical shots too, especially for daylight fill light.

[@dennispeterson3691]

Very interesting using the zoom feature on the flash!

[@collincourtois8587]

Great tips, thanks. That lady is stunningly beautiful!

[@jeankovacs6390]

Really enjoyed this video. Very informative. I appreciate the explanations about angle and settings.

[@iamfyrus]

What i understand on TTL is, the furture the lens from the subject the more power it will produce, the closer the lens the lease power it is. So TTL is suitable for on body flash

[@luigiseguro4713]

Mark Wallace explanation is so easy, a cave man can do it. Two thumbs arriba

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

hahahahaha!

[@gentlegnt]

Loved this video. Very helpful-reinforced what I had know and also was curious about with varying umbrellas. I will also say that it was so awesome to see the model paying so much attention to your dialog between shoots. It almost seems as if she is also a photographer how attentive she was. Thanks so much to you both!! Love the outside studio design/colors/textures!

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

Thanks, Huie!

[@bleuswiffer]

A great photographer Mark Wallace!!

[@nopeoplecorp]

Great practical tutorial - very enjoyable!

[@brad_in_yyc]

Great video for beginners Mark. Very well explained. Thank you!

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

This video has helped me so much. Also loved the model's makeup.

[@qc1300]

Excellent photo shoot

[@shia4life5]

The model is very talented & know how to play with the camera & the photographer.

[@tomdoolin2415]

Excellent tutorial

[@eyesonly4451]

Nice Klim T and gorgeous model.

[@charleyl264]

A nice demonstration, Mark. Thanks.

[@jcam783]

Great Session .

[@djduvi88]

Good looking portraits with the kit lens 🔥🔥

[@kenmcdougall6106]

Thank you, I found that really useful, it was well put together. Karen is a really great model, does not seem possible to take a bad picture of her, and you work very well together so I learnt a lot from that too!

[@focusdriven101]

Wow this video is everything I didn’t know I needed. Thanks for sharing!

[@lesliedougan2246]

Great photography Mark and Great model I got so much from this workshop.

[@c_real001]

11:54 i love this one

[@soulpowdr8532]

Great video. Great Model.

[@dejayjohnson3259]

This was soo good really needed

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

Super valuable! Coming from mainly doing videos and working with continuous light, getting into flash photography takes some practice for sure. But it is handy to already know the basics of lighting. This was a great tutorial!

[@charlieross-BRM]

This was perfect, because I actually HAVE everything you used. :) Well, an E-TTL speedlight/remote, and a 32" softbox with both speedlight and bowens mounts but it's the same general idea I can experiment with. A segment I would benefit from is how to get by with a camera and speedlight but no modifiers on stands, and shooting in the lobby or by the stage of a club or restaurant. These are typically low ceiling, dimly lit areas with a lot of decor on the walls and 90% of the time in the past it was disappointing. A third party light diffuser directly on the speedlight would be possible, just not setting up a stand and umbrella. Merry Christmas!!

[@natestain7103]

And as always, Thanks Mark!

[@pna06]

This video was just what I needed! Thanks for sharing! Karen is such a photogenic person and seems easy to work with, which is so hard to find.

[@rachellehman5273]

SO HELPFUL!

[@mattredman98]

Very clear. Great information

[@edyschmitt3442]

Nice Video, congrat. from Germany🎉

[@blackmamba3427]

Awesome video and tutorial 👌

[@shoeabejr]

Many thanks!! I always get great knowledge from your videos

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

I'm glad to help, Karim.

[@toms31]

Great Instructor!

[@lannyrubindds7071]

Hi Mark, great video. Getting ready to take before and after photos of my patients with a macro lens on a Nikon D5200. I like the idea of the umbrella instead of buying soft boxes. Any suggestions for proper F stops etc?? or just place camera on Auto. because the lens has auto focus. Thanks for your suggestions in advance. Lanny

[@mverick160]

Nice shots and the model, Karen Florez is absolutely amazing. But it really emphasizes why I like multi flash shots. To separate the model from the background more and give that hair light kicker that really sets her off. I mean, this shows you can do it with 1 light. But it also emphasizes the negatives of a 1 light photo. Outside or with windowlight you can just use 1flash and use the sunlight for the second light at least.

[@rodolfomuneton9112]

linda la modelo

[@ChaChaCafe]

Will this trigger control the power settings on a Nikon SB800 flash to adjust the power up and down? Also, does this trigger do high speed synch?

[@osvalchaves]

Again, amazing. Thank you very much for a totally wonderful video. Great model BTW. Can't believe the pictures you shot with a single flash and a kit lens.

[@HarshilMerchant]

Amazing learning experience. Do you have one speed light with softbox ? If yes then pls share link.

[@frostybe3r]

Thanks for the video, I've learnt that Godox flash is too harsh and cheap.

[@Phantom94320]

Thanks Mark !

[@SkyFotografia]

Excellent video!!! Hope everything is well with Karen. Greetings from Dominican Republic. Listo for 2021!

[@marclabro]

nice tuto and pictures. i often forget to change the zoom :-) For 65-85cm octabox with a 85mm lens however, do we force zoom to be as wide as possible to fill the octbaox surface ?

[@MrJueKa]

from my experience the focal lense doesn`t matter, when I use a speedlite with a shoot-through umbrella or a softbox I mainly set the zoom manually to something between 24 to 35mm to avoid a hot spot in the middle of the modifier ... to get a more direct flash light on the subject I use a beauty dish core or with a diffusor fabric or grid

[@janvanheerden265]

Can you please tell me what your opinion is regarding amputation of limbs? Thank you

[@raydunn3501]

Great finals Mark, and great model to

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

Thanks, Ray. :)

[@b991228]

Would looking slightly up with on-camera ceiling bounce cut down raccoon eyes somewhat?

[@Ali.lensman]

Great video Mark, as always 👍

[@fernandosanz445]

Such a gorgeous model, she seems so easy to work with. And Mark just as good as always, thanks for all your videos! PS: I can't get Karen's link on Instagram to work, could you check if there's a typo?

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

Thanks, Fernando. Karen is currently taking a break from social media. When she returns we'll update the video description.

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

instagram.com/k.flowerz Karen is back on IG

[@mirandavandenberk786]

Finally I unsterstand my flash,thank you so much for this great turtorial

[@scottcjohnson59]

Thank you!!

[@BangBangBang1]

With such an amazing model you can have a SMENA 8M camera without any lamp and you will take beautiful photos ;-) Greetings from Poland :-)

[@ACEWEEDMEDIATVofficial]

Awesome work ...

[@sunrise_sunshine]

Thank you so much for sharing educating videos people like me beginners to understand the concepts and techniques. I’m planning to purchase my very first DSLR which is Nikon D750 along with 85mm 1.8 + 50mm 1.8 G lens. I’m wondering is it still worth to buy this camera considering 5 years old?. Or should i invest in mirrorless which is Z6ii with kit lens. My only concern is from d750 has 1/4000 shutter speed unlike d780 and Z6ii 1/8000 and 900 seconds, I’m not quite sure this is show stopper. Purpose of buying a camera is for taking Portraits, Still, Landscape, Bird, Product photography (learning) and of course my kids. It would be really great if you throw some lights on my concern to make a wise decision.... other options I have considered is Nikon D780 with one of the lens and Z6ii with the kit lens... apart from D780 and Z6ii I have been suggesting to go with D850 with the kit lens. Thank you and looking forward to your recommendation.

[@andrethibault1410]

Great video.... I ordered umbrella from adorama...it’s been on back order!! Geeez!! But anyway.... Karen is absolutely gorgeous ❤️

[@Nikonmannen]

Awesome video

[@Kongkw]

Thx for your lesson

[@hagitcaspi5153]

How do you meter is so the white behind her becomes gray and doesn't become overexposed?

[@PanzerIV88]

Can you use the zoom function on a Strobe such as a Godox AD400Pro or only with tiny Speedlight??? O_o

[@rosssayer6524]

Mark were you only using the 28-70 lens or did you change for some of the images?? Ross

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

It's just the 28-70, that's the only lens I own for the Sony. No other option.

[@arbull7264]

nice model

[@brianwheeler704]

I'm trying to introduce myself to amateur photography with the hopes of making some money off of it eventually. Can you explain the philosophy of the device you have added to the front of your lens? Not sure what it's called. I have one and have experimented with various shots with and without it but don't see much difference.

[@iamtonykurtis]

What were your Camera settings for shooting that picture I s o aperture and shutter speed

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

1:25 has the info

[@stevewells5134]

good instruction. thanks

[@MicskiDK]

Were these photos shot with or without ambient light? This is termined by the shutter and aperture settings, which he did not reveal.

[@girrol9621]

Great tutorial, very instructive.Thx. How does the model deal with the TTL? How can she keep her eyes open after the first flash?

[@MrJueKa]

o lot of exercise and routine make the difference between experienced and occasional models ... however, the positioning of the speedlite can sometimes help to solve the problem

[@ajaysinhparmar2266]

THANK YOU

[@michael_weliam_photography]

You are amazing, thank you

[@wanneske1969]

Great video as usual.

[@rolandrick]

A 1/250-st? The 9m2 has 1/200 sync speed. Hast the 7 iii a faster one?

[@karenm853]

What if you shot the first example at f4 ?