The setup I use the most, the one you really have to master before jumping to 2 or more lights. To be really honest, even when I have the option I often simplify and use that one and only light. But the thing is, in a lot of cases, it is not an artistic choice. I don't really have that many options on most of my sessions for a simple reason: Budget!
"Money" will obviously define what will be possible. I quickly talked about this in my previous video. You will have to propose and create images for your client that will suit their needs and that will be adapted to their budget. One of the reasons that push me to make a few changes next year, is that the clients I have today often don't have the money for big photoshoots. What I mean by "big" is that they can only afford me and my camera and the addition of a flash is usually a luxury.
So this is the reason why I often only use one light or the light available on location and also because I am lazy and I don't want to carry too much gear with me when I travel (but you got to keep this reason for yourself).
Fujifilm GFX50s + Broncolor SirosL GF 32-64mm f4 R LM WR 1/125sec at f/4 ISO100 - 32mm
Fujifilm GFX50s + Broncolor SirosL GF 23mm f4 R LM WR 1/125sec at f/4 ISO100 - 23mm
Fujifilm GFX50s + Broncolor SirosL GF 32-64mm f4 R LM WR 1/125sec at f/4 ISO100 - 32mm
It's awesome to have control, and this is one of the benefits of using strobes, I also love having more creative options. Before jumping into more complex setups, I believe learning how to master one flash or a single light source first is important. This will already take a lot of your time and will benefit your work in the long run.
CANON EOSR + Broncolor SirosL EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II 1/200sec at f/3.5 ISO100 - 65mm
CANON EOSR + Broncolor SirosL EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II 1/200sec at f/2.8 ISO100 - 50mm
CANON EOSR + Broncolor SirosL EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II 1/200sec at f/5 ISO800 - 24mm
I would love to work on bigger projects more often, having my own team, travel first class, and eat in fancy restaurants... Forget the 1st class and the fancy stuff, I just wish money wasn't always in the way because my work would be totally different creatively.
Now you know what to do, get your ass out there, and use only one light in every way possible until you get sick of it. Are you a natural light shooter? What is your favorite setup on location? one, 2 more lights? Tell us in the comments below!
Huge thanks to these 2 wonderful artists! Alexandra Vadon
Marie-Lou Lagrange