Why Your Flash Looks Harsh (4 Common Lighting Mistakes)

Many photographers say they avoid flash because their lighting looks harsh. But the real problem usually isn’t the flash itself — it’s a technical mistake in the lighting setup. In this video I explain four common reasons flash photos look harsh and show how to fix them so you can get better results when shooting portraits. You’ll learn how lighting changes when: • Your light is too close to the subject • Your modifier is too small • Your photo is overexposed • You accidentally eliminate ambient fill light Understanding these lighting fundamentals will help you control your results and avoid the common problems photographers run into when learning flash photography and studio lighting. If you want to improve your portrait lighting and understand how light actually behaves, this video will walk you through the mistakes that make flash photos look harsh and how to correct them. Download my free Introduction to Lighting Guide here: 👉 https://johngress.com/downloads-giveaway/ The guide covers the most important lighting concepts photographers struggle with when using flash. MODELS https://www.instagram.com/josh_hudzonn/ https://www.instagram.com/kenzieaspenlindgren/ GEAR Elinchrom FIVE Amazon https://amzn.to/3Um6V61 B&H https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ Elinchrom 8.3" Standard Reflector with 30 Degree Grid B&H https://bhpho.to/4731i3t Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Octa Softbox 190cm (75”) Amazon https://amzn.to/3GZa45L B&H https://bhpho.to/3oOM4Oq Chapters 00:00 - Start 01:50 - Inverse square law 03:04 - Size = Softness 04:59 - Over Exposure 06:26 - Eliminating Ambient Light 07:47 - Key Takeaways Hashtags #flashphotography #portraitlighting #studiolighting #photographytips #photographyeducation #offcameraflash #lightingtechniques #portraitphotography