Stop Obsessing Over Light Power Settings — Here’s What Actually Matters (Power Settings Part 1)

Still asking “What power setting should I use?” You’re asking the wrong question. In Part 1 of the Power Settings Series, John Gress breaks down why obsessing over flash power settings leads to inconsistent results — and what truly affects your lighting. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: • Why watt-seconds don’t tell the full story • How distance, modifiers, and room size affect exposure • Why your subject’s skin tone and lighting placement matter more than power numbers ⚡ Start thinking like a lighting pro. This episode helps you build a foundation for the creative and technical decisions covered in Parts 2 and 3. 📺 Watch the rest of the series: • Part 2: Master Exposure Like a Pro https://youtu.be/XqZV1sF2i4g • Part 3: Creative decisions and Camera Settings for Stunning Shots https://youtu.be/s0r9qU4Y-90 📚 Want to Level Up Your Skills? 🔗 Join My In-Depth Photography Workshops: https://johngress.com/workshops/ 🔗 Explore the Full Photography Academy: https://johngress.com/academy/ 🛠️ Curious About My Gear? Click here for a full list of all the gear I use in the studio - https://johngress.com/gear/ Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. If you use them, I may earn a commission — at no additional cost to you. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:13 - Watt Seconds vs. Lumens 04:12 - Scale - 1/8th? 1/8th of what? 06:22 - Distance? - Inverse Square Law 06:43 - Modifiers Matter 07:21 - How large is your room? 08:18 - Skin Tone? 08:52 - In the real world? 11:51 - Conclusion #PhotographyLighting #StudioLighting #LightingTips #CreativeLighting #PhotographyForBeginners