How to use Feathered Light | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

Feathering a light is so much more than simply turning it away from your subject. In this video photographer, Gavin Hoey takes you through why feathering light is an essential studio lighting skill and how he uses it to control light in his small home studio.
Although the most common way to feather a light is to move it horizontally, Gavin also shows you how vertical feathering can open up more lighting options. He also bursts a popular portrait myth that feathering a light will give a softer light.
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Model: Jade Lyon
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product used:
Olympus E-M1 Mark iii
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Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro
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Flashpont Xplor 400
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Glow EZ Lock 24x36" Softbox
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Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand
www.adorama.co...
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#GavinHoey #Photographytips #FeatheredLight

[@charleyl264]

While an old video, I'm catching up. Well done, Gavin, as always.

[@jhoneyands]

Love this dude - been following since the GavTrain days.

[@jvstn1321]

This is the clearest explanation I’ve seen of what feathering is and how you can use it alter the look of your photos. Props to Gavin, as always!

[@ollimustonen]

Man… I can have the shittiest day of my life and one video from Gavin is all I need to turn that around. World needs more people like Gavin. I mean how can you not love this guy…

[@MrAlwayssimple]

You are certainly one of the better presenters and technically sound photographers doing these videos. Keep it up Gavin!

[@TheOlandex]

Somehow even when you're telling m stuff I already know I still feel like I'm learning from you Gavin. Love your unassuming, yet exceptionally knowledgeable style. Keep teaching!

[@goldspike1]

I agree 100%

[@SunyUzh]

I spent tons of money and time to understand how to work with Softbox. I took only online courses but no use. The teacher always pointed out my mistakes, but never answered on the question how and which way to do it best. I experimented a lot, but in total dark room making the Fotos, hence as he said me to do it. Now after 3 years this video pops up at my youtube and changes my whole comprehension. Looking forward to do such Fotos at home. I am happy I did not sell my equipment. Thanks a lot! Easy and very available explanation.

[@randymyers8600]

Very interesting that the feathered light gave harsher shadows. Makes perfect sense when you think about it. Gavin is the best!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Randy. When you think about it feathered light must be harder light and yet feathered light = soft light is repeated time and again... A bit like long lens compress detail 🤐

[@Parms]

I was surprised by this too. The edge of the light is softer though so if that hit the model’s face, wouldn’t that give her softer shadows on her face?

[@gregorylagrange]

If you start out aiming the soft box directly at the model and the gradually turn it so that the axis moves across her face, then you will get a gradual fall off of the light across the image and some softening of the shadows because of the light from the part of the soft box away from the model reaching more of the far side of the frame. But if you turn the light so that it makes an obtuse angle to the background like in this video, then you will get harsher shadows from being lit with a small diffusion area.

[@timelesscreations777]

Your the best Gavin ....you make this channel what it is!!!!

[@SamLau]

Still my favorite KZbinr !! ... never miss a episode !

[@Minzalin]

I love the way Gavin demystifies a lot of these lighting and photographic techniques. What a great time to be learning photography!

[@peerlessportraits]

He feathered the light. That new technique on display at the very end is a game changer!

[@EntropiaMusic]

I ve been following this channel for 7 years. It amazes me how Gavin after all this years is still capable of producing fresh content! We love Gavin!

[@FrankyDeMeyer]

Another fantastic tutorial, with the gorgeous model Jade as cherry on the cake. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@vonpotatostein]

Can we take the time to appreciate how much awesome content and superb educational videos we get for free?? Thank you Gavin and Adorama!!! You are super awesome!!!

[@davidjones8070]

It really is obvious when you make changes to light angles. It takes a lifetime of playing around to master it but the journey is truly educational. Thanks Gavman

[@drkoolbeat]

Your vídeos are truly enjoyable to watch and are filled with precious information. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge

[@Caradonia]

Love Gavin's stuff. His enthusiasm and passion for photography resonates through these videos. 👌

[@52701970]

Clear and with great examples, Thank you Gavin.

[@Analisem1]

Great way to bring the truth about feathered light. I knew it largely controls where the light goes but never considered that it could actually make the shadow transitions “harder” by reducing the relative size of the modifier to the subject. Gavin, you’ve done it again!

[@SCtester]

Glad someone cleared this up. I've heard that feathering the light makes it softer from many prominent and very skilled photographers on KZbin, but it never made sense to me - relative size is the only thing that matters in how soft the light is. I'm surprised so many people believe that myth.

[@alexmanzo1394]

Daaamn youre simply great! The way you share knowledge its superb, thanks and congratulations Gavin!

[@peeweebarney]

I was reading a comment on how to avoid reflections on eyeglasses, one commenter suggest to 'feather' the light to avoid glace on the eyeglasses. I did not know what that meant. And my search led me to your nice, easy to follow demonstration. I love it! Thank you!

[@piotrgorajek1289]

The guy is so goofy but great videos! Short, straight to the point, great knowledge and teaching skills and no bs

[@philng2197]

Gavin: you are such a great & down-to-earth teacher and photographer. Your videos are so fun and photos are incredible, you make the lightings simple and easier to digest. 🙏 Thank You!

[@bighenrywun]

Gavin never makes me tired with his presentations.👍

[@charlieb7718]

Thank you. I've been mucking about with softboxes for years and should have known this, already, but your explanation is excellent. I am, as always, wiser and a little humbler! Plus, always good to see Jade!

[@aytenkara5865]

Thank you Gavin. That was a great presentation to understand the feather light easy way.

[@adrianabocanegraphotograph8912]

Gavin you are the best!!! Talented and very easy to understand 😃

[@Karlita91100]

It’s SO helpful when you show the “wrong” way to light a subject and then explain why. Thank you!!

[@volkerotten4127]

Gavin, you are just the best teacher for photography on KZbin. Love your tutorials.

[@alsteiner7602]

Straight and to the point. Excellent

[@photorreia]

I love Gavin Hoey lessons!!!

[@RichardGingrasPhotography]

Very interesting as are all your tutorials. Thank you for sharing.

[@ToastandJam52]

I really liked photo number three (without the light behind Jade). It really made the viewer focus on her face. For me, it was a very powerful effect. Thanks for another brilliant video!!!

[@shemapicture2058]

Gavin.... you are the man.....awesome, as always Many thanks

[@duncanlawler6426]

Well, that explained feathering. I have heard the term by other photographers and I cannot remember any of them explaining why and how. Another "Top Draw" tutorial from gavin. Thank you.

[@johnesposito5555]

Another great video Gavin, Thanks to you and all the Adoram family for all you teach us

[@Adorama]

Thank you too!

[@camper800]

One of my favourite videos yet Gavin! Side note, top marks for Jade.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Great information, beautiful Jade and great results, all done with enthusiasm and humor. Yep, that's a Gavin tutorial. Excellent!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Mike

[@justcallmesando]

The best educator.

[@robjeeves]

Love your work Gavin. Clear concise and entertaining 🥰

[@toshtwentythree195]

I feathered the light ...Classic gavin ...love it

[@GavinHoey]

A dad joke apparently 😉

[@shifteleven]

I totally agree that it doesn't make the light softer to feather. But I think that the benefits of feathering the softbox comes when you have white walls or a v-flat on the opposite side of the light. The reflection fills in the shadows and you get this very diffuse light from the softbox. Cheers! Always fun to watch and be inspired!

[@GavinHoey]

I'm pretty use you'd get defused reflected light feathered or not. Either way feathering is a handy technique to master.

[@shifteleven]

@@GavinHoey you def get diffused light light - I perhaps misspoke. When I said "very diffuse light" I was speaking of that gradual transition in the edge of the softbox - which as noted in the video has less of a hotspot. I was not speaking of the reflected light. And you're very right about feathering being a handy technique. I can see I typed too quickly above that my comment sounded like feather was only good with a bounce. That was a mistake. I was just bringing up a point regarding the perceived "softness" comes from the bounce into a v-flat to fill in the shadows - effectively reducing the contrast and making it look softer even though the shadows are still harder than pointing the softbox straight on.

[@11557bexley]

Excellent video/info, thank you

[@sakthiannamalai5455]

Perfect Technician. Good Job. Valzha Valamudan.

[@marcogiai-coletti354]

Thank you! Your videos are always so informative. I feathered the light 😃

[@sarajitsil]

Fantastic tutorial Gavin!! You are the best!!👍

[@krisnacater]

Fantastic tutorial as always by gavin.

[@TheNashvilleJason]

Nice setups. Must try!

[@donbrooks8479]

Keeping your model away from the background minimizes the shadows. I like your work!

[@stephenmuller5098]

Thanks again Gavin, great tutorial and model.

[@jesseholloway4273]

Thank you so very much, Gavin...for the excellent explanation and demonstrations. Also, for “feathering” your light-I laughed ridiculously hard after nearly spitting out my coffee 🤣

[@GavinHoey]

😁

[@robwinslow449]

Really enjoy the mix of your passion in presenting the information

[@millymommartinez3096]

Excellent! Thank you!!

[@Access-Inner-Harmony]

Thank you- very well formatted set by set process for several looks. Easy to follow and duplicate.

[@brianaikens7282]

Very very helpful. Many thanks.

[@GEMPITAIPB]

Great tutorial. Gavin is the best 👍🏼

[@SDA0271]

Always love Gavin's tutorials! Thank you for this video!

[@moisescugat3948]

Lots of love Gavin!!!

[@ridderus]

Thanks Gavin, Very helpfull video! I'm starting to making the switch from weddings to portraiture, so these video's are very very helpfull :)

[@vedarius]

Thanks a lot Gavin! This class is extremely useful as it takes us away from straightforward (though practical) ways to light up the scene. You make us work more flexible and be more creative. This marks you as more than highly professional photographer - you are extremely gifted and talented coach! Many thanks again!

[@thomasmantei5379]

one aspect of feathering a softbox away to the front of a subject is to achieve a more even light distribution from one side to the other side of a subject, f.e. a face or a group of poeple. the idea is based on the relative size of the lightsource and the inverse square law. the side of the subject closer to the light is „seeing“ less of the light while the other side further away from the light sees more which compensates for the loss of light which is caused by the inverse square law. that way you can get a directional light (as opposed to frontal lighting) but with a more even light distribution compared to aiming the light directly at your subject from one side.

[@MomentphotographyCoUk]

So do you mean if you put a light to one side of a group facing across (parallel to the line of the group) in front of them, then that would achieve what you describe? Interesting!

[@TheMTrotz]

Keep Feathering it Brother!

[@richardwintle1020]

Another to-the-point tutorial - thanks again, Gavin. I never think of feathering up and down!

[@japansushi89]

Gavin I love your tutorials, I have started to work in a photography studio and it's so much fun to learn from you and to put it in practice at work, thank you so much!

[@manoharmgr8235]

Very useful video , I learned lot from it, looking forward more videos like this keep it up good work, thanks a lot sir R.manohar , india,chennai

[@rafaelbarbado9145]

Thank you Gavin, a very interesting tutorial.

[@michaelschmitt5413]

Another sweet video !!! I liked that you tried the feather in different directions and positions. I've added it to my Library for future viewing.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Michael. Feathering up isn't something I'll be doing to often in my small home studio 😉

[@blancopop7845]

Great stuff! I cannot wait to finally get my first softbox set up complete. Just need a trigger, stand and bracket mount.

[@CharlieLiuPhotography]

Another killer vid. Thanks Gavin.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Charlie 😊

[@photobooksandrecords]

Well I learnt something today, Thanks!

[@FOTOTESTYSG]

I'm your greate fan! I've learnt a lot thanks to you. Greetings from Poland.

[@leticiamb]

Fantastic class, thank you so much Gavin and Adorama!

[@easton_ography]

Love your videos Gavin! I'm subscribed to Adorama solely for your series 😎

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks. Do check out the rest of what Adorama has to offer 😉

[@BDBD05]

Gavin!! Another great video from Adorama and You!! So much of positive energy and so much simplicity in technique!!

[@frankc3834]

Best demo ever!

[@robertburke516]

Terrific Gavin, thank you!!!

[@garrisontown]

Great video Gavin. Thanks for working in a small room, you've mentioned a few details that other photog never mention.

[@ANDREW-fp2gg]

really thanks for your sharing , i learn alot to shooting portrait photo

[@chandrakantgaikwad9899]

Gavin and Mark are really very good hosts on Adorama tv. They are very good teachers also.

[@LukeAyers]

Gavin is the greatest

[@jalank06]

Excellent Tutorial! Thank you Gavin and Adorama!

[@Adorama]

Thank you for watching!

[@krishnapramod5350]

Very nice informative video Gavin, loved it

[@bretthaddock8954]

Thanks Gavin. This was very helpful. You make learning fun.

[@cheryl7829]

Gavin is fun to watch & your learning all is tips & tricks, so its win win, Thank you 😁. So advise please what lens would you recommend if you could only take 1 lens out with you. For a bit of everything close up, distance, portraits. Some advice would be appreciated 😊

[@pattymattes7124]

By the way, I love this. I learn something new each time you post a video. Thank you!

[@SonNguyen77088]

Always love your work Gavin.

[@johnlehman2761]

This is a great one, very helpful. Thanks, Gavin. Love all of your videos.

[@BERRACAT]

Gavin, you're the best. I like your videos. Thank you.

[@slannne]

Awesome as usual gavin.

[@ki6ada2005]

Gavin makes another great video. I have a square box. WouldnI still get similar results?

[@ahsmim]

Absolutely brilliant! Clarity is always amazing.

[@bobbychau1266]

Great tutorial as always Gavin. Thank you so much.

[@CanadianArchivist]

Always great videos with the use of flash. Learned a lot!

[@Scpus2020]

Excellent video as always.

[@WillianAmadio]

Amazing sir! Hugs from Brazil

[@noeljoseph2414]

The “Feathered the light” comment at the end...Brilliant! Lol. As always Gavin, great episode.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Noel 😁

[@Kenneth-bf1gn]

Excellent tutorial.

[@itusedtoberound2020]

I feel there is more to it than that as far as shadow harshness . the model and light position, the modifier used, I most definitely get a softer light when using feathered. like everything in studio lighting its picking the correct choice as you say.