With Lighting 101, learn all about flash and light modification with the most accessible lighting course available. Here, we teach you everything about flash lighting, light modification, ambient to flash balance, lighting patterns, off-camera lighting and even multi-point off-camera light setups. But, what makes Lighting 101 truly special is that we do all of this with nothing but your on-camera hot shoe flash.
Lighting 101
Let an expert photographer guide you through the basics and intricacies of lighting, in this helpful, engaging course delivered like a creative workshop.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
aconstantin from
Very instructive course!
Thanks Pye for the well structured course..Learned a lot.
Date published: 2025-01-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
RGPhoto from
Lighting 101
I thought I was pretty knowledgeable, but I have learned a lot from this series. I recommend it for both beginner and experience photographer as I think everyone will gain some new ideas. Highly recommend
Date published: 2024-11-26
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Winvini from
Overall impression
In recent years/months, as already mentioned in many emails exchanged with TGC staffers, I could not watch many of your videos which were repeatedly frozen only after less than 5 minutes of streaming directly from your website. It stops quicker when I requested "subtitle" or caption. I used both MacBook Air 2024 (M3) and 2016 models plus a Sony laptop, at home, for watching more than paid 20 courses. The frozen screens did not happen in previous decades, only after likely years of COVID-19 (probably your courses have been affected somehow?!?).
Hence, although I do wish to do so at your request, I cannot review this Lighting 101 today (also other courses, until every streaming runs normally again- with your help). Thanks repeatedly.
Date published: 2024-09-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Wonderful Lighting Course for a beginner!!
Wonderful course provided by an extremely knowledgeable teacher. I especially liked how he provided real world, practical examples and illustrations using the various flash techniques. Also, his models were very well chosen, except that of the one who gave “the finger” shot. I understand someone might say this is “stylistic,” but clearly she could have the style and lose the attitude. I also liked in chapter six, how he asked a question about how to improve upon a shot and add more light to it. This is a great way for us to see if we really understand the science of light and how to improvise. I also liked the instructor’s examples of light modifications using the cheaper versus the higher end prices. This was a great addition to this course. Thanks a lot for a great course, Pye, and for keeping it real and honest!
Date published: 2024-06-24
Rated 1 out of
5
by
PW50 from
Very disappointed
While the DVD package is dated 2024, the individual "lessons," (aka videos) are dated 2015. While principles of lighting aren't constantly morphing, equipment in most people's hands does change, dramatically, in the the span of the last 9 years.
This purports to be for everyday photography enthusiasts, but I was almost instantly dismayed to see that every instance of how-to involved an assistant. How many of us have an assistant with us for photos of our family, pets, garden, etc.?
Yes, he does stress that the equipment he suggests to use is relatively inexpensive - which he proves. But, I can't get past the need to have someone standing 4-5 feet away with a reflector or bounce screen. Maybe if we all end up with an in-house robot someday, we can have the assistance we need (which won't fuss or complain about the length of time to take a single shot.)
Date published: 2024-04-14
Rated 5 out of
5
by
EngineerinVA from
Good Photography Course – Not Normal TGC Style
This is a good albeit odd addition to The Great Courses (TGC) stable of photography courses.
I needed this course because I have a digital camera that is smarter than I am and this course showed me how to use a standard hot shoe flash. It assumes I’ve taken a more basic class such as Fundamentals of Photography offered by TGC.
First the good. This course teaches important concepts as direction of light, supplementing light sources (such as combining flash and sunlight), Through The Lens (TTL), High Speed Synch (HSS), Rear Curtain Synch, full function flash vs. manual flash, etc. It focuses on using a hot shoe flash either in limited lighting or in sunlight. Generally, it considers portrait or event photography rather than landscape or still life photography.
Next the odd. This course is not produced by TGC but rather by SLR Lounge. Although released by TGC in 2024, it was copyrighted by SLR Lounge in 2015. The lectures frequently refer to other courses such as Photography 101, Lighting 201, etc., that SLR Lounge provides but that are not available through TGC. Rather than a series of lectures, normally 30 or 45 minutes long, this course is actually a sequence of 65 lectures of varying length but averaging about 8 minutes long. The lectures are grouped into 8 general topics. This is not necessarily bad but it does require some adjustment.
The last 50 minutes are recommendations of equipment. However, since the lectures were filmed in 2015, the recommendations are now somewhat dated.
Mr. Jirsa is a good speaker. Rather than speaking from a podium as is standard for TGC courses, Mr. Jirsa sits in front of a screen and a trunk with equipment he addresses in his lectures. He frequently uses videos from actual photo shoots. He even presents eight case studies in which he walks through how he sets up and executes a photo shoot. All of this creates an atmosphere of a hands-on workshop as opposed to academic lectures.
There is no course guide in the TGC tradition. However, there is a PDF of the main graphics used by the course. There is no text let alone glossary or bibliography in this PDF.
As you can imagine, this course is offered only in video streaming or DVD.
Date published: 2024-04-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
CuriousityDrive from
Very informative and fun!!!
Pye and his team did a great job explaining the basics of lighting in a clear and enjoyable way. I have been an avid photographer for decades and learned a lot (since lighting was a blindspot). He provides various examples in studio and outside, and contrasts the strategies he uses in each. I particularly appreciated his explanations and demonstrations of various camera shutter options, as well as the flash options and accessories. The program seems to be a handful years old, but I would strongly assume the basic principles remain relevant. This is Creative Live program that I am very glad landed on Wondrium. I have watched others by CL here on Wondrium, e.g., Photoshop and Lightroom, which were also excellent (though a bit dated). I hope Wondrium please adds more CL classes!
Date published: 2023-03-28
Overview
About
Pye Jirsa is a lifelong learner who has made a career out of creating frameworks. These frameworks have helped millions learn languages, develop creativity, master photography, succeed in business, and even improve their communication within personal relationships.
As a founder and partner of SLR Lounge, Pye has taught and inspired thousands of photographers around the world with frameworks that make seemingly complex and intimidating topics simple and approachable. His frameworks have also helped create and scale Lin and Jirsa Photography, a boutique Socal wedding and portrait photography studio composed of a large creative team that shoots over 300 weddings each year, with nearly 1,000 yearly client commissions. In addition, as the host of the Think Stupid Simple podcast, Pye engages in long-form conversations with smart, successful people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to uncover their stupid-simple frameworks for success and happiness.
Trailer
01: Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 1 Introduction
1 min
02: Why Just One On-Camera Flash?
Why Just One On-Camera Flash?
4 min
03: 5 Reasons to Use Flash
5 Reasons to Use Flash
11 min
04: Common Flash Myths
Common Flash Myths
7 min
05: What Makes Flash Challenging?
What Makes Flash Challenging?
5 min
06: Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 2 Introduction
2 min
07: Flash-Strobe vs. Ambient-Constant Light
Flash-Strobe vs. Ambient-Constant Light
8 min
08: Flash vs. Ambient Light Exposure
Flash vs. Ambient Light Exposure
3 min
09: Flash vs. Ambient Demo
Flash vs. Ambient Demo
7 min
10: Flash and Ambient Balancing for Natural Effect
Flash and Ambient Balancing for Natural Effect
7 min
11: Flash and Ambient Balancing for Dramatic Effect
Flash and Ambient Balancing for Dramatic Effect
4 min
12: Flash and Ambient Balancing for Creative Effect
Flash and Ambient Balancing for Creative Effect
7 min
13: Understanding Flash Duration
Understanding Flash Duration
9 min
14: Chapter 3 Introduction
Chapter 3 Introduction
2 min
15: 5 Common Key Light Patterns
5 Common Key Light Patterns
9 min
16: 5 Common Key Light Patterns with Diffusion & Fill
5 Common Key Light Patterns with Diffusion & Fill
8 min
17: 5 Common Secondary Light Patterns
5 Common Secondary Light Patterns
8 min
18: 3 Primary Subject Patterns
3 Primary Subject Patterns
5 min
19: Light Qualities
Light Qualities
10 min
20: The Inverse Square Law
The Inverse Square Law
8 min
21: Inverse Square Law in Practice
Inverse Square Law in Practice
8 min
22: Corrective White Balance
Corrective White Balance
10 min
23: Creative White Balance
Creative White Balance
6 min
24: Chapter 4 Introduction
Chapter 4 Introduction
2 min
25: On-Board vs. Hot Shoe Flash
On-Board vs. Hot Shoe Flash
6 min
26: Full-Feature vs. Manual Flashes
Full-Feature vs. Manual Flashes
9 min
27: TTL vs. Manual Control
TTL vs. Manual Control
8 min
28: TTL vs. Manual Recycle Times
TTL vs. Manual Recycle Times
5 min
29: Flash Power & Zoom
Flash Power & Zoom
9 min
30: HSS vs. ND Filters
HSS vs. ND Filters
12 min
31: FCS vs. RCS
FCS vs. RCS
7 min
32: Chapter 5 Introduction
Chapter 5 Introduction
2 min
33: 4 Tips When You Must Use Direct Flash
4 Tips When You Must Use Direct Flash
6 min
34: Bare Bulbing Done Right
Bare Bulbing Done Right
12 min
35: Grid Snoot + Direct Flash
Grid Snoot + Direct Flash
7 min
36: Mini Beauty + Direct Flash
Mini Beauty + Direct Flash
6 min
37: Ring + Direct Flash
Ring + Direct Flash
8 min
38: Understanding Modifiers
Understanding Modifiers
9 min
39: Direct Flash + Shutter Flash
Direct Flash + Shutter Flash
9 min
40: Chapter 6 Introduction
Chapter 6 Introduction
2 min
41: Ambient vs. Direct Flash vs. Bounce Flash
Ambient vs. Direct Flash vs. Bounce Flash
14 min
42: Silver Bounce
Silver Bounce
14 min
43: More Light Silver
More Light Silver
11 min
44: Soft White Bounce
Soft White Bounce
16 min
45: Overhead Bounce
Overhead Bounce
12 min
46: Overhead Bounce + Fill
Overhead Bounce + Fill
10 min
47: Event Bounce
Event Bounce
13 min
48: Chapter 7 Introduction
Chapter 7 Introduction
2 min
49: Natural vs. Dramatic Light
Natural vs. Dramatic Light
18 min
50: Filling and Refining Existing Light
Filling and Refining Existing Light
9 min
51: Coloring Light for Corrective Effect
Coloring Light for Corrective Effect
14 min
52: Coloring Light for Creative Effect
Coloring Light for Creative Effect
10 min
53: Chapter 8 Introduction
Chapter 8 Introduction
1 min
54: Case Study 1: Dramatic Sunset
Case Study 1: Dramatic Sunset
10 min
55: Case Study 2: Desert Sunset
Case Study 2: Desert Sunset
10 min
56: Case Study 3: Sinister Headshot
Case Study 3: Sinister Headshot
10 min
57: Case Study 4: Family Portrait
Case Study 4: Family Portrait
8 min
58: Case Study 5: Athlete Portraits
Case Study 5: Athlete Portraits
11 min
59: Case Study 6: Working Angles
Case Study 6: Working Angles
7 min
60: Case Study 7: Drag + Composite
Case Study 7: Drag + Composite
8 min
61: Case Study 8: Less Is More
Case Study 8: Less Is More
7 min
62: The Good Karma Jar
The Good Karma Jar
2 min
63: Favorite Feature Flashes
Favorite Feature Flashes
6 min
64: Favorite Manual Flashes
Favorite Manual Flashes
22 min
65: Favorite On-Camera Flash Modifiers
Favorite On-Camera Flash Modifiers
21 min
