B&W Lighting Tutorial - Use multiple lights to create maximum contrast so your portraits stand out!

Click here for a full list of all the gear I use in the studio - shop.howl.me/JohnGress
NiceFoto SN-29 amzn.to/3aCtOM0
V-FLAT WORLD Foldable V-Flat, Set of 2, Black/White
Adorama howl.me/cjGcCZBleDO
Amazon amzn.to/3NI0f29
B&H bhpho.to/3VD8tKR
V-Flat World bit.ly/3fXqaid
Elinchrom ELC 500 Studio Monolight
Adorama howl.me/cjCnmmb4t6R
Amazon amzn.to/2PzMLGP
B&H bhpho.to/3oJXVx7
Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Octa Softbox (75″)
Adorama howl.me/cjCnmmmWLgl Amazon amzn.to/3GZa45LB&H bhpho.to/3oOM4Oq
Elinchrom Rotalux Stripbox 35x90cm
Adorana howl.me/cjCnv9oDSZ6
Amazon amzn.to/3nUwD3M
B&H bhpho.to/40PXZbZ
Mola Setti 28″ Softlight amzn.to/34UnPRv
All of these images were shot with a Canon 5DIV: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
It’s very popular right now to create really soft Rembrandt lighting, with lower contrast and decreased saturation. These subtle tones look great in color, but if you convert them to black and white, you’ll have a muddy gray mess. Because when you’re shooting for monochrome, contrast is key.
There are a number of ways you can create contrast in the portrait studio, but I love to use multiple lights, sometimes with hard modifiers, and then I will refine the look with negative and positive fill. That way I can create a full range of tones and make my images pop.
So today I am going to show you three variants of the same basic set-up that will let you get a trio of distinctive looks, and then we’ll finish things off with a creative film noir setup.
Music: Evolution by Bensound bensound.com/

[@sezair0]

John when I show your videos I feel like be with you. You did your videos so gentle

[@JohnGress]

That is great to hear! Thank you.

[@laurabattel5766]

Super interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@manilamartin1001]

Backlighting and flagging. My favorite techniques!

[@carlosgilphoto]

Simply excellent!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@mattdavidphotography]

"Wear your mask, call your mom" :) Love it ! Great video John, I have this optical snoot too and it's excellent !

[@JohnGress]

Thanks David! I need to get on that.

[@bewarethefuryofapatientman]

those shots are stunning, John, thank you!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Glad you like them!

[@elenapanus6638]

Black and white is my passion! Thank you John for powerful details and links! I enjoy every video, waiting for more!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Elena! I have another one in the works!

[@eduardoibal5715]

You’re an excellent teacher. Thank you very much for your knowledge😊

[@JohnGress]

Awww So nice of you. Thanks!

[@danielstaiger5871]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Great Tutorial 🙏

[@JohnGress]

Thank you Daniel!

[@petergubernat]

Awesome info as always John!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much Peter!

[@PFB-yo6wi]

Love this. Just superb!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks so much!

[@lim2001burger]

Great video - very inspiring with lots of cool ideas!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! Please share it if you can.

[@Abel2670]

Great stuff, very creative

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@bewarethefuryofapatientman]

Absolutely great shots and explanations. Brilliant!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@grettelolasiman9394]

I learned a lot. Thanks John!

[@JohnGress]

Glad to hear it! Thanks!

[@Pezinokrm]

Brilliant! old school... Cheers! 🥃

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@fraensemeier-fotografie]

Great! Thanks from Germany

[@JohnGress]

You are welcome! Danke!

[@bpham2010]

Such an awesome informative video. Thank you

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! Please share with your friends too!

[@Marykk1448]

Your work is incredible

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much Mary!

[@Marykk1448]

Love this is amazing! I’ve always struggled with making my portraits pop

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Mary! I really appreciate it!🙏🏼

[@chriskapcia1715]

Can’t wait to watch this! I’ve only got 1 key light (flashpoint xplor 600 pro) and a godox speed light. So, it’s interesting to try and only use the 2 light sources so far without any ambient seeping in.

[@JohnGress]

Great! Two of them are two light set-ups and one of them is a one light set-up.

[@laxmanp8147]

Thank you so much... It's really help to next step ..

[@JohnGress]

That is great to hear! Thank you!

[@Herkulez1981]

I dont Watch many Channels about lighting and Photography but you got yourself ae new subscriver. Awrsome and educational material om your Channel keep up the good work

[@JohnGress]

Awesome, thank you so much Johan!

[@sezair0]

I try this tomorrow

[@JohnGress]

Best of luck!

[@kbeatdrum]

Set-up #4 🔥🔥🔥

[@JohnGress]

Thanks!

[@aravindkrishnacu]

thnkyou so much !!

[@JohnGress]

You're welcome! Thank you!

[@des7638]

good video thanks

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@silvermanberemarkable8402]

Biggest and basic takeaway: contrast rules for creating great bw photos.

[@JohnGress]

Yes!

[@marcovalentini6477]

I really love your videos John, thank you very much for all the effort you put into your contents. I would like to make a question if you don't mind answering: would a white big reflective umbrella do a similar job compared to the big softbox in the first lighting set-up? I mean the portrait with big softbox in the back and a beauty dish facing the model.
Once again, thank you very much.
Marco

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Marco! A big umbrella with a translucent would work well. But a umbrella by itself might bot work because the metal frame might not appear pure white.

[@ChesterfieldHector]

Great video John! very informative as always. PS. I just tried to find your old Modelmayhem page!!!!

[@JohnGress]

Ha! Long gone.Thanks!

[@stevemontgomery5495]

Great video, I guess if I wanted to use gels for colour these setups would work very well as they are about contrast?

[@JohnGress]

Thanks man! Please share if you can. I am sure you could.

[@SKNAchari]

Dear Boss, I am from Kerala, India, My opinion is that the videos having thumbnail with your face will get more views compared to thumbnail with other images in near future. Because the lighting/color pattern of your videos can be identified just from your thumbnail. Not only the ticks and tips shared by you through your videos but the setup of your every video is an inspiration for both beginners and professionals. Now your channel is ready to grow to the next level and your subscriber count will be increased by 10 times within a few months.

[@JohnGress]

Thank you for your feedback. I will appear in more of my thumbnails in the future.

[@shajimaheswaran]

thanks john . can you post behind scene set up of last one (filmy style) 🙏

[@JohnGress]

th-cam.com/video/wtk5Zb4drXg/w-d-xo.html

[@azmanshah25]

Great sharing. Thanks. What is the lens focal length range best for these kind of shots? Thanks again

[@JohnGress]

Thank you! I use an 85mm most of the time.

[@1911geek]

Nothing we do have not been tried by many. Specially George Hurrel and the rest of 60, 70 fashion shooter. High key 1 stop brighter than main or 1/2 when shooting slides

[@duducampbel9124]

🤩👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@JohnGress]

Thanks!

[@aresaresares1194]

Podría añadir subtitulos en español y sería perfecto 👌.

[@JohnGress]

Tal vez youtube los agregue como si agregaran automáticamente los subtítulos en inglés.

[@aresaresares1194]

@@JohnGress sería magnífico. Eres increible. Muy buenos trabajos y alegran la vista verlos. Enhorabuena 😎

[@duducampbel9124]

@duducampbel_fotografo hi

[@JohnGress]

Olá

[@Fitographer]

Okay but your turtle neck, can the viewers get let in on the brand?

[@JohnGress]

I’m not sure about this one.