Last week, I watched a YouTube video by master studio / product photographer Karl Taylor titled One-Light Photography: No More Excuses. Karl is both a master technician and a wonderful teacher, and I’ve learned a lot from him, especially in the last couple of years as my work has morphed toward creative studio photography.
Karl’s basic take was, stop whining that you don’t have enough expensive gear, and start learning the craft. And then he put his money where his mouth was by giving clear examples of producing stunning results with very basic equipment. In particular, he shows a slew of wonderful images made with a single light source.
Now, when I watch Karl’s tutorials, I typically have to wear a bib, as if I’m eating lobster, because I find myself drooling on myself because of all the fancy and expensive gear that he has in his studio. The man seems to have everything that all of us dream about (he also has a 25-year reputation and cliet list to back it up). Nonetheless, the guy can also make amazing images with the stuff that we all have.
So, I tip my hat to Karl, and offer, as further proof from my own very modest studio, that we can do a lot with a little. Knowledge and creativity will trump fancy stuff every time. You’ve seen these all before, but now realize that they were all made with just one light (either a $70 speedlight or a $128 studio strobe).
