Portrait Photography with Cheap Speedlights

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Music licensed with Epidemic Sound:
'The Other Summer' by Michael Keeps
In this video I show you how to control the depth of the shadows in your portraits using two cheap speedlights: one for the key light to create the shape, and one to add a soft global fill to your shadows.
#portraitphotography #speedlights #godox

[@DamienCulley]

Your original speedlight video was how I discovered your channel so I vote for more tutorials

[@ambc38vsxn]

The same

[@jazz1986926]

+1❤

[@777hdn]

This is the second of your video and I'm really amazed of what I've been learning again within minutes. Thank you so much, I'll soon start experimenting on my own now I changed from my old and rather simple Metz gear + OLY flash control (German flash manufacturer which doesn't exist anymore) to Godox and x-remote. But one question: You wanted to avoid sharp catch lights but what would you use if you'd want them? Would an LED light on top of the camera be ok?

[@kiwipics4003]

So many budding photographers sooner or later buy some studio gear, try to get some action going, and end up putting their kit on eBay, for a pittance. Often because they struggled to get a decent image. These tutorials of yours are pure gold, Sean. Accessible, kind and incredibly practical. Wish I'd seen this 10yrs ago when I was struggling to figure it all out! 🙏👍

[@SPIKE3725]

Sean tuckersvideos are always well informed. I appreciate what sean puts out in these videos.

[@AdmiralFishy]

These videos are so important. I'm an absolute kit junkie but these bring me right back to earth - they make me want to sell all the expensive things I've bought over the last few years and focus on what's really important - a few simple things and the light you have. Plus it makes such a difference when travelling to a shoot (or a friend's house!). Bravo, and more tutorials, please!

[@rainerwunderlich8023]

Ay ay Sir, fullfully agree - just like me! Very impressive video. Greets

[@nomind2911]

I thoroughly enjoy these kinds of videos, as I'm on a budget myself. It's nice to see work produced with affordable equipment. Thank you for all that you do Sean.

[@SimonWestPhotography]

Personally I love the single light as it is moody and that’s how I like to see portraits. Another great video Sean. Thank you.

[@hamishmctiaigh4363]

Its not about the cost of the kit or a fancy modifier, its about knowing how light works and using whats available to get the results you're looking for, thats what I appreciate about your videos Sean, another great message and brilliant portraits, as always

[@richardgundry2750]

Sean, I've always liked your channel for your "enlightening & thought provoking" videos, as they are so different to the norm on KZbin. These educational & and how-to videos are also so helpful, and you impart your knowledge and the skills in such an easy to understand manner. "Thank you so much." I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your channel and I always look forward to a new release. Cheers.

[@seantuck]

That's very kind, thanks my friend.

[@craigozancin]

I also love the dark, moody, chiaroscuro look. The eye is instantly drawn to the subject and stays there.

[@midge1053]

More of thses please Sean, I love the way you explain and blow out the general misconceptions within photography. Thank you.

[@Roman.7287]

It's unbelievable how well and at the same time comprehensible you describe the topic. If we were in a school, it would be an honor to be in your class. The contribution to white balance from a few months ago was also extremely valuable. Thank you.

[@seantuck]

Thanks mate. That's a lovely thing to say.

[@klupst_photo4934]

Yes, please more of those Tutorials

[@MrTedJourney]

Thanks so much Sean for this one and the one on using a single speedlight. After triggering remotely i walked round to see what was on the camera screen and wow, I’d cracked it at last. Yep more tutorials please Sean. You have a brilliant natural accesible teaching skill.

[@paolosoddu9642]

Yes please, more tutorial videos. The way you talk is crystal clear even to someone like me who is from Italy, and the way you explain also which alternatives there are and why you don't use them is super useful.

[@sebastianklasenmusic]

Please! Your tutorials on street and portraits shaped my style and made me try beyond! So please keep going with this stuff!

[@lneleven1708]

a great video on how to light in studio. love the finished work and the edits are beautiful.

[@herbertdesigncom]

Really liked this little tutorial, Sean. Would like to see more, please!

[@greengenesis]

I really like the rich shadow look, that you have in your images.

[@dimitri_6212]

Watching this video just gave me a crazy idea on how to set up a studio in my home! Thank you for this amazing content as always!!! ❤

[@sebastianloh3800]

I've been following you for a few years. This video really teach me what I can do with the two Speedlights I have on hand. (After switching system from Sony to Fuji, I ended with two lights 865S and 865F.) I was just thinking about getting a trigger to sync the two lights when this video debut. Divine timing!! 🎉

[@MissenDownUnder]

I just want to say I really appreciate your videos. Learning so much from your tutorials.

[@alantee1]

Very clear commentary. Many thanks.

[@seanraz]

Love these vids. Your first speedlight video got me interested in portrait photography.

[@seantuck]

That's great to hear.

[@jeroenzuidland132]

I've learned a lot from the first one speedlight video! For my first shoot of a friend back then, I've watched that over an over again. I really love those low key portraits. Maybe I'll scale up with one speedlight set, having seen this video. The extra light at1/16 is my favorite. With just a hint of extra light it does give the image something special. Thanks for all you do!

[@ProjetoBonfire]

Your videos are such a pleasure to watch! Thank you :)

[@montanaguy51]

I love these technical videos! Thanks for the information!!

[@derekclark7545]

Love using speed lights in two soft boxes, one snoot and a beauty dish and add a reflector, you can create just about any lowlight or high light image. biggest problem I have is getting the light right for people who wear spectacles, its time consuming but I get there. I have to say you are very good at explaining how to create images.

[@RavenOConnor]

Fantastic video, Sean! Thanks for the detailed breakdown. \o/

[@ko12sa]

Sean, the first video that I watched from your channel was the one you reference at the beginning of this video - about taking portraits with an inexpensive speed light. That was about 4-5 years ago if I recall. Have enjoyed every video ever since. Thank you

[@050856jrf]

Great tutorial, as usual. Very clear.

[@irishmaninflorida1608]

Always appreciate your content. Keep up the good work Sean👍

[@drewhollings]

Great video, as normal! I found your channel due to your original speedlight video, thank you.

[@AliasJimWirth]

Hugely useful video, Sean. Thank you for creating and sharing it.

[@tititatiti]

Love your tutorials as much as your more philosophical videos so please keep them both coming!

[@noso-1111]

Sean, you have the vision of an artist--it comes through.. Keep it.

[@abarofigaro]

Thank you for such a good tutorial. I love all your videos, but I do find the ones where you talk about light and retouching super helpful, so I’m always very grateful when you post. Hope you are keeping well!

[@StewartMarsden]

Love the dark moody portraits. One light is the way (and sometimes a reflector). Love the simple tutorial videos. Please make more. Id love to see the editing and retouching process too. And also black n white portraits

[@seantuck]

I have a whole series on retouching on my channel, including skin, eyes, dodge and burn, backgrounds and BW conversions.

[@StewartMarsden]

@seantuck I'll look them up. 👍 Thank you

[@chadmangham473]

Thank you for the tutorial. I like that it is straight to the point. More please!

[@debbydhill]

One speedlight my favorite, lovely model.

[@Frank19747]

Great video Sean I did find it helpful.

[@lbotha6074]

Thank you Sean. Like all your videos this is brilliant and inspiring.

[@westonsmith4572]

Great video. Thanks for posting. This is very informative and useful content. It is beneficial to learn that there is a use for smaller speed lites in (a bit) larger soft boxes for this intended/desired outcome. To date, I have been hesitant to use some soft boxes with what I have for light, but I have been focussed on the thinking more about the key light considerations. I feel that you could even underline that a combination of light + light modifier that would be underpowered for a key light is actually what is working here - saves money too, if the less powerful speed lite is cheaper. Cheers from Canada

[@ignaciosernandez7439]

This videos are peaces of art. Thank you Sean for your sharing your work ❤

[@velovot99]

Love these tutorials. Definitely reduces flash-stress and makes it feel achievable. Huge thanks.

[@PixelPlusAerial]

Always a pleasure to learn from you. I’m trying dark moody shots a lot I think I might have found my style

[@paulhills1967]

More please! Thank you for a helpful and well produced video.

[@itsruiguerreiro]

I loved the first speedlight video. It was how I discovered you, actually 😁 Still reference it every now and then.

[@jeffreyrojas6851]

Great content as usual ❤

[@JoseLopez-pw1im]

Always educational!❤

[@mrdev9843]

Yes, always enjoy tutorials 👍

[@robholmes1897]

You’ve answered so many of my questions in this video - thank you!

[@dirksparenberg294]

Thanks a lot for this great video. Easy structured and good to understand. 👍👍

[@jakubstrumillo]

Nice, You just show my favorite dramatic portrait light setup for painterly portraits. :D Many of my shots were made with small beauty dish and big soft fill light on the same direction of light.

[@yvonnerichard6099]

Thanks for this video, it was very clear and I picked up a few things I hadn’t thought about before. And yes, more please !

[@PierreBoismenu]

Yes, please. More of these videos!

[@by.othman]

Nicely done, Sean. Keep up the good and inspirational work...

[@srlkngl]

Thank you Sean, grateful always....

[@johnpollock6996]

Great video Sean. I rarely take pictures of people, but I have used your tips to good effect, at least I think so, on still life subjects. Thank you for all these ideas.

[@shclee4211]

Many thanks for your sharing. Really like your works and insight of photography.

[@dung1youtube582]

Another master class !! Thank you

[@andycakebread7663]

A vote from me for this invaluable info and insight Sean 👍

[@charleswoods2301]

Thank you, most enlightening (pardon the pun). Please continue portrait speed light videos. Your techniques are valuable to a beginner like myself.

[@adampryke7118]

Always great Sean thanks

[@daslab38]

I've been working on taking portraits of wild animals in their natural habitat using a dslr, a couple speedlights hung on trees, and a remote sensor that triggers the camera+flashes when something walks by it. It's my own photo studio that I leave in the woods 24/7. Deciding where to place the speedlights and how to set their power is always a challenge, though, so this was very helpful. I'd be curious what advice you have about incorporating a third or possibly fourth speedlight to serve as rim light or background light. I always look forward to your videos, Sean! Best wishes

[@kameshpemmaraju1350]

yes please, more tutorials, also in natural light for that cinematic look.

[@bimurtyaganguli6442]

Me personally I prefer two speedlights. To lift up the shadows to give me a bit wiggle room with post-processing. For your reference photos, I will choose 1/8 power on the second speedlight. That will be sweet spot. From 1/4 it started becoming too milky for me. However, great video Sean! I always love these informative videos for yours

[@sjmyamamoto]

Super demo, Sean! Bravo.

[@markushubner2159]

Hi Sean, thanks a lot for this video. Let me assume something... When adding the second flash, it influences the brightness caused by the first one. It can be seen when comparing the no second flash and second flash at higher power pictures. To maintain the brightness of the "flash 1 areas", it might be useful to decrease the power of the first flash by the amount the second one gets increased. E.g. 1 at 1/2 and 2 at 1/32 - have to change to 1/4 and 1/16. Stumble stones might be, that the directions of light are different and the distance (inverse square law). Greetings, Markus

[@wallacemarques8495]

Loved it. Give us more.

[@stevenjoseph9979]

Sean, great video. Always enjoy how you help explain with budget gear to get the job done. Would love to see if you have a new technique on your editing process in comparison to your old video with Photoshop. Again, thanks for doing this video.

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

I appreciate the videos done in the small space. Gives me hope. I don't have a lot of space to work in.

[@MVKrajnak]

Good video, Sean. Thanks!

[@mmk2410]

Thank you for the video! At the moment, I don't take a lot of portraits (just some of the family using natural light), but I'm more and more interested in going towards a more "professional" approach. This will definitely help me get started. Personally, at least in this case, I prefer the additional light at 1/64 or perhaps even a stop lighter. It's not as dark as without but still not too light to potentially draw too much attention to the clothing instead of the person.

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

Thank you for this video. I'm going to try this.

[@hardos162]

Thanks for your video, as usual. Personnaly, I like very much the 1/16 photo, where we begin to appreciate the hairs but too much. Chris

[@SummersSnaps]

Thank you Sean, this was a good mini tutorial. I typically shoot musicians on location and for the formal headshot work I use two speedlights, 1 key and 1 rim. But you have me thinking now that perhaps I have ignored the 'key' role that fill has to play and that my reflectors are indeed just a little too weak to do the job justice. If considering a future video, I would have liked to have seen the impact of fill light on something like the Rembrandt look. Because your sample shots here show different head tilt positions in relation to the key light, only image 2 is very 'Rembrandtesque', and I wonder if the fill light continues to dilute that look too much, or if there is methods to assist with fill but not at the expense of harming the shadow formation (perhaps a different fill position etc). I think you should consider a paid course like how Phil Sharp did with his portrait session on Domestika. Thanks again.

[@mikemanning8253]

Hi Sean. Greetings from Albany, NY. This was an extremely helpful video, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I would like to see more video's on this subject. Just picked up your book The meaning in the making, I'm enjoying it very much. Be well sir.

[@jazz1986926]

I discovered your channel by this kind of video, and as the time passes, definitely want to dips into deeper. And also is because your philosophy of life and your work that resonates with me so I’m keeping following you ❤ I’m an intimacy person, so it’s quite hard for me to find a subject to photographe, would you share some more of your experiences and advice? I’ve watched some of videos about taking pictures of strangers on the street, but any way else? Thanks 🙏

[@ttr6611]

Yeah, thanks this video did help me a lot because I kind of „forgot“ to use HS and reduce the shutter speed thus not getting the dark background I wanted… Great Job!

[@AntonCaines]

Great video, thanks for the tutorial.

[@mr.huzell]

Love your videos, I learn so much from them, Your original shooting portraits with one speedlight video, got me to buy an inexpensive kit, and it really elevated my portraits of my kids, and family. So thank you for that. I do also love when you try to recreate a famous portrait. Curious about how far you could take it with more and more lights, when do the you hit the point of diminishing returns? Could be interesting. Thanks again for such great videos, full of knowledge and insight.

[@toniwalker644]

Wonderful tutorial!

[@andrewfrost8866]

Excellent presentation (as always), but, yes please, more please :)

[@paigeofstylez]

1/16th fill light for the win 🏆

[@artsonpl9821]

I agree, the best setting

[@Garbid]

Awsome and inspiring!

[@steverolfe1935]

Great video, personally I prefer one light to create shadows and add atmosphere to an image - Fab to see how you use two lights

[@puck528co]

Very helpful, thanks!❤

[@joshcarrick]

This has been brilliant 👏, been looking at sony flashes all day. Have been using nikon z6ii up till now and sony a7iv for video but dying to try this kind of photography with the sony 😀. Many thanks for your knowledge and inspiration 😊

[@captaincook6283]

Wonderful explanation thanks

[@areusirius2054]

chiaroscuro and tenebrism for the win

[@kenmarceau6841]

Thanks much Sean. I love your style and this is exactly the look I’m striving for in portrait photography. Can you tell me why you are using HSS and such a high shutter speed? Would you not get the same results with your camera’s native synch speed? I’m guessing you want to keep your aperture wide open?

[@PerspectiveDepth-c5y]

It’s a great approach for photographers looking to elevate their work with simple, cost-effective tools. I am horrible at portraits... maybe I will give them another go.

[@annag.966]

Hi Sean, thank you so much for the amazing content you create, you are the best when it comes to photography channels. Please do more of this Portrait Lighting tutorials 🙏 I want to shoot an environmental portrait of a woman in her house with a soft even light. I want the subject to be the focus of the image but also to lighten up the environment as the house she lives in is part of my subject. The house is quite dark so I was thinking of using speed lights, how would you recommend to light this kind of scene?

[@SpudUna]

Not really interested in using flash myself. But appreciate the tutorial. Which was really easy to follow. Thanks

[@gregsmith6373]

Thank you very much! :)

[@stefank58]

Thanks for the video, I like to see more like this..

[@erichaviu]

Great tutorial Sean. You are an inspiration. Where can I find the one light tutorial that you mentioned at the beginning of this tutorial?

[@Dusty-w4z]

I remember that video, and i've been using that single speedlight ever since.

[@studiojege287]

Well explained 👏👏👏

[@philipsutton8921]

lovely images and beautiful wife - good stuff all around. Those little TT350 flashes are great. I have one on each of my Nikon Z cameras and use them on the camera outside for TTL daylight balanced HSS fill-flash for all of my gigs. I use them with the eneloop rechargeable AA batteries and they last longer than the big battery in my Godox V1.