How ONE Flash Can Help You Master Portrait Lighting | Take & Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

Single flash portraits are a great way to master the basics of studio lighting. Limiting yourself to just one flash can make getting the exact lighting style you want harder. With one flash you have to compromise on the look but along the way, you’ll learn a lot about how to light portraits in different ways.
But where should you put a single flash? Photographer Gavin Hoey suggests that there are only three places to put your light. It can be in front of your model, to their side, or overhead.
Gavin explains that a direct front light is perfect for models that like to turn and move. Side lighting gives shape to the face and drama but limits where your model can look. Finally, overhead lighting can remove shadows on backgrounds.
Gavin Hoey is a freelance photographer, writer and trainer of all things photographic. His work is regularly featured in photography magazines, websites and videos. Gavin has a real passion for sharing his photography and Photoshop knowledge. In 2008 he started recording and uploading video tutorials to KZbin.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:09 Establishing control of the room's ambient light
1:33 Setting up a light in front of the model
3:22 Flash in front of subject portrait session
4:00 Setting up a light on the side of the model
7:05 Flash on the side of the subject portrait session
8:02 Setting up a light over the model
10:44 Flash over subject portrait session
11:10 Grid with an overhead lighting portrait session
11:58 Final thoughts
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Model: Chloe Kerley
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@deenugent473]

Gavin's trademark word, "No Flash, No Picture!" 😁👍

[@GavinHoey]

And very important words they are too 😉

[@deenugent473]

@@GavinHoeyYes sir, indeed! Thank you for your videos as I have learned a lot from your tutorial Gavin. Please keep it up!

[@truthsayers8725]

ALWAYS one of my favorite presenters. Gavin and Chloe or Gavin and Sophie. it doesnt matter they are ALL top notch with their work

[@GavinHoey]

Thank you 😊

[@kevinwhite6176]

Gavin, you are hands down my favorite photography educator on youtube. You make all of this fancy lighting stuff super accessible and understandable!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kevin, that's literally my unofficial job description 😉

[@TypeSC2]

I wish I could like this comment more than once!

[@user-qe6dl6nb4y]

@@GavinHoeyyou are indeed amazing! ❤

[@michaelschmitt5413]

Thanks for another great video. I'm always excited when I see one of you videos popup in my YT notifications.

[@autumntalkies]

One more amazing tutorial. Thank you very much for sharing you knowledge.

[@NaweedQadirdotcom]

I absolutely love Gavin's session, as he has a natural way of connecting with the viewer with his witty conversation and sharing the amazing command he has in his field.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words 👍

[@mimvlog3236]

LOVE U GAVIN!!

[@artkidstudioscompany1]

Soo relatable..Thanks so much this will help me ❤

[@paulpowell1583]

Brilliant video…very informative, thank you

[@alfredtam9438]

Love your video. Great model and learn a lot from you.😊😊👍👍

[@photonsonpixels]

Great tutorial Gavin. Thank you.

[@jeffreystevens1038]

Gavin your are an exceptional instructor. Chloe, is a fantastic model and her posing skills are unmatched!! Love the results of your collaboration!

[@user-rt3io7xt5q]

Amazing photos and easy to understand explanation. Thanks Gavin !

[@delhunter7530]

Love this one Sir Gavin, so simple yet such great results. Perfik 😊😊

[@Gyurza]

Chloe is just Amazing! Great video Gavin

[@johnclay7644]

informative video Gavin good results too.

[@ducatidude13]

Thanks Gavin for this video. A few days ago I tried OCF & failed. After watching this video I realised the mistakes I made. I'm going to try it again. Thanks again so much.

[@GavinHoey]

Glad I could help. BTW you didn't fail as much as you learned what NOT to do next time :)

[@saskelee]

love the use of the new trigger

[@ronvillarrealphotography]

5th place... behind the subject. Always informative! Thanks for sharing.

[@CHRIS_HITCHCOCK]

Love the editing on this video Gavin. It flows really nicely.

[@GavinHoey]

Thank you Chris. Planning and editing take much, MUCH longer then any realises, so it's nice to have that noted 👍

[@neumlephotodude]

this is really good!

[@MrBanda77]

Thanks so much

[@KevinRusso]

Concise and to the point. Add to that some nice images too.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kevin 👍

[@thegirlwholeftthefridgeopen]

Seriously one of the best photography education series. Thank you, Gavin and Chloe

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words 👍

[@mirandavandenberk786]

Thanks again ❤

[@AliasJimWirth]

Quite useful. Something I have come to expect from Adorama. Thank you.

[@abibarbados5627]

Chole is moving like a river 😊

[@carlj1964]

Gavin! You have the Xnano! Mine is still on pre-order. Love the video!

[@juliobarkan9529]

Fantistic show. Love all your videos and how you explain the techniques behind the setup. Wondering though if you could do a show or a couple of shows not using a professional model and maybe use a client and explain how to set up their poses? Not all of us have the oppertunity or clients that are of the professional nature. Showing us what you do with an experienced person on a photo shoot, now that would be a show I would watch over and over again. Thanks for all you do for the photography world.

[@GavinHoey]

I'll keep that in mind but I really focus on how to light not how to pose, so working with experienced models keeps my goal in sight.

[@hebelbraga]

Gavin, eu já fiz um comentário parecido algum tempo atrás, mas nunca é demais repetir. Você sem dúvida é um mestre no ensino de iluminação de retratos. Um dos meus três preferidos e, destes, o mais dinâmico! É sempre um prazer renovado assistir aos seus vídeos e sempre a certeza de novos aprendizados. Também não posso deixar de mencionar a presença da belíssima Chloe! Um abraço daqui do Brasil!

[@410f1st]

Geeat content as always.

[@alun7006]

You forgot about behind, Gav! 😁 Another great little video.

[@GavinHoey]

Yeah, sort of. I actually forgot to say possible light positions in front of the model 🙄

[@MartinV.]

Great Video

[@BTcycle]

Beautiful white balance.

[@rickyraharjo6592]

Very good professional

[@JMXCzw]

An amazing model, an amazing video... I would love to learn how the flash meter works. it seems like a great tool.

[@LenaCabana]

Thank you. Could you please make a video on how to attach a big source of light with a big soft box? So it stays in place while you shoot.

[@madfinntech]

I had my first portrait shoot a couple of weeks ago, and it went alright with one flash and reflector. I couldn't pull it off without watching hours and hours of Adoarama live streams. I have another one tomorrow, so this video couldn't have had a better timing.

[@thats_mr_b_]

Gavin, I come here for light usage inspiration.

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

I am a little late to the party but at the end of the day I love watching your videos Gavin 🎉

[@GavinHoey]

You're never to late Kirsty 👍

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

@GavinHoey cheers Gavin can't wait to see you at the photography show

[@markbuck4076]

As I've come to expect from your videos, very valuable lessons for me as an amateur photographer. Have you considered making some of the shots from the session available for review along with an indication of the lighting setup used? I would appreciate the opportunity to see the shots with a little more time to absorb how the lighting setup impacts the results than is given when the shots are presented in the video.

[@iaincathro3373]

Excellent explanation as always from Gavin.

[@adiringer1959]

Great video, as always, I learn so much. Gavin, Is there a forum you can recommend for sharing knowledge about portrait photography as we learn and practice? Thanks!

[@jumpingjohn280459]

Thank you for another great video Gavin. I was always taught by a professional portrait photographer, who I assisted years ago, to use the ‘one light if you can’ approach. He would start by seeing if he could get the shot he wanted by using just one light, and maybe a reflector. If it wasn’t working, only then would he add a second light and so on. On many occasions, he succeeded with a single light.

[@GavinHoey]

He sounds like a wise tutor.

[@dunnymonster]

Lets not forget we can also put our light behind our model too 😉

[@chazM6116]

5th place behind for silhouette :)

[@dretwav]

Are you enjoying the new trigger? I have been waiting for mine since mid January and the delivery date has now slipped to mid April.

[@free_re_fells]

Great video! I really should use my speed-lights in studio more often.I've always wondered, what tablet are you using as a monitor?

[@GavinHoey]

That's my Lenovo Miix 2 in 1 tablet / laptop.

[@saskelee]

Chloe!!!!

[@haterkmp]

Great as always :) Gavin, i see that You have a new wireless transmitter with touchscreen. Is it better or worse than the previous one?

[@GavinHoey]

It's both. Better size and battery but worse if you want to find something other then flash power... HSS for example!

[@shanley1190]

Hi Gavin, great video as usual. Did you use the deflector plate that's standard with these EZ LOCK modifiers ?

[@GavinHoey]

I never use the deflector plate in my softboxes.

[@shanley1190]

@@GavinHoey Good to know, Cheers!

[@djtblizzle]

Where can we see more of Chloe? She has such a classic, timeless look! Gorgeous model and AWESOME tips! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@GavinHoey]

You'll lots more of Chloe right here on Adorama TV and there's a link to her instagram account in the video description.

[@poojabakery8735]

Hey gavin I have sekonic l308x flashmeet so tell me how to use flash in it with correct exposure on ambient light .sekonic next light meter model has that facility

[@SoulsMoving]

how does it work with the main light in the room? do you turn it off or is it also Bluetooth connected? I saw your screen was dark when you had your flash disconnected but I don't understand how it works with the main light in the room. Thank you!

[@zach_hewitt]

Gavin, would you say there is a minimum size softbox for a single light portrait? is anything to small? what shape if you only could choose 1?

[@art_by_adrian2913]

How can one human be so perfect, and Chloe is OK too lol 😂😂😅 jk she's so amazing 👏

[@nasmatko3706]

How do you like ths new R2 nano touchscreen flash trigger?

[@dexon555]

How are you liking your Flashpoint Nano trigger? The more I use it the more I love it.

[@GSHemuli]

Any hints for positioning the light when photographing Asian (Chinese) person?

[@gregkiserphotography]

What about behind your subject? Silhouettes are a better option than horror lighting.

[@DAVE211147]

I noticed you had the new controller on your camera, what do you think about it?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Dave. I love the size and weight. The touch screen is a learning curve but there are still physical buttons which I gravitated to perhaps a little to much.

[@David0Perez0]

New flash trigger. I am waiting for that one as it's out of stock. What do you think about it?

[@GavinHoey]

Hi David. I love the size and weight. The touch screen is a learning curve but there are still physical buttons which I gravitated to perhaps a little to much.

[@elbre]

Can anyone tell me what he does before shooting with the flash? Where it seems he takes a photo with no light, not even ambient light

[@williamgollatz1911]

OK, so what is there is ambient light I have no control over?

[@GavinHoey]

If you can't control the light you can always try altering your exposure (smaller aperture or lower ISO) to get yourself back to no flash = no photo. You could also use HSS flash and push up your shutter speed or place and ND filter over the lens. If none of those are for you then pretend the uncontrollable light is actually controlled. Place your subject in that light to either make you photo or turn into just another light in your scene.

[@TrollHoleStudios]

How do you like the new little transmitter?

[@GavinHoey]

I love the size and weight. The touch screen is going to be a learning curve but there is still physical buttons which I gravitated to perhaps a little to much.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Plenty of new gear I see. Do you like the small trigger?

[@GavinHoey]

I love the size and weight. The touch screen is a learning curve but there are still physical buttons which I gravitated to perhaps a little to much.

[@TheMtpghost]

And WHAT about the 5th Position? Right BEHIND the Model/Subject :-) You can get a lot of pretty Results out of this. :-) Mostly Siluettes... but still...

[@Bill_Sonya]

Wow, she’s tall