I’m looking for continuing education that ties lighting technique to directing people, not just gear talk. Last week a 4x4 floppy for negative fill at camera left and a gridded 36" octa at f/4 gave me beautiful cheekbone separation, but I want training that helps me elicit authentic expressions while moving between Rembrandt and clamshell. Any courses or mentors you’ve found that truly teach both?
I’ve found that sometimes just asking your subject to tell a story helps them open up naturally. It shifts the focus from the gear to genuine moments. Have you tried that approach while lighting?
, this stuff drives me nuts sometimes! Last year, I did a shoot where I just had my subject play with a prop to get some genuine reactions without focusing too hard on the lighting. By the end, I was moving from clamshell to Rembrandt effortlessly, and the portraits felt so much more alive.