Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Based on the transcript:
In this video, I walk you through how to read and reverse-engineer lighting in a photograph by looking at shadows, catchlights, and highlights. We’ll break down one image step by step, guess how it was lit, and then compare that guess to the actual behind-the-scenes setup.
You’ll learn how to identify hard light, light direction, fill, rim lights, color gels, and other clues that reveal how a shot was created. For this image, I also show how three bare-bulb strobes with blue and pink gels were used to create a bold, colorful look with crisp shadows and starburst reflections.
This is a great exercise for training your eye so you can learn from any image you see, whether it’s in a magazine, online, or out in the world.
👇 Did you guess the lighting right? Drop a comment below and let me now!
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👉 Want to Learn to Read and See Light? Checkout my free guide: Seeing the Light: http://lindsayadler.photo/stl
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This image was part of the Creative Filters Episode of Learn Plus. If you're interested in in seeing more check out the episode here 👉 learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/learn-plus-episode-48-creative-filters
💡 How was it lit?
3 Lights:
✅ Light 1: Bare bulbs + blue gel off center in front
✅ Light 2: Bare bulb + Magenta gel back left
✅ Light 3: Bare bulb + Magenta gel back right
📸 Camera Settings:
✅ 1/200th
✅ F3.2
✅ ISO: 400
📸 Gear:
✅ Canon EOS R5: adorama.rfvk.net/JxzdE
✅ Canon RF 24-105mm: https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
✅ Profoto D2: adorama.rfvk.net/qvB7y
✅ Rosco Creative Effects Gel Kit: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpR9a/
✅ Savage Universal Fashion Gray background: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpjPy/
✅ Profoto Air Remote: adorama.rfvk.net/W3o5G
✅ Avenger D600 boom arm: adorama.rfvk.net/XRdAG
✅ Savage C-Stand: adorama.rfvk.net/J1ZW2
✅ Tether Tools TetherBoost Pro 31' USB-C to Micro-B Cable, Orange Right Angle: adorama.rfvk.net/Kj11ja
🔥 Interested in learning more about these looks check out my lighting guides: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/shop
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👉 Portfolio: lindsayadlerphotography.com
👉 Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
👉 Facebook: facebook.com/lindsayadlerphotography
👉 Twitter: twitter.com/lindsayadler
👉 Education: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
Some of the links in this description contain affiliate links to partners.
Based on the transcript:
In this video, I walk you through how to read and reverse-engineer lighting in a photograph by looking at shadows, catchlights, and highlights. We’ll break down one image step by step, guess how it was lit, and then compare that guess to the actual behind-the-scenes setup.
You’ll learn how to identify hard light, light direction, fill, rim lights, color gels, and other clues that reveal how a shot was created. For this image, I also show how three bare-bulb strobes with blue and pink gels were used to create a bold, colorful look with crisp shadows and starburst reflections.
This is a great exercise for training your eye so you can learn from any image you see, whether it’s in a magazine, online, or out in the world.
👇 Did you guess the lighting right? Drop a comment below and let me now!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉 Want to Learn to Read and See Light? Checkout my free guide: Seeing the Light: http://lindsayadler.photo/stl
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This image was part of the Creative Filters Episode of Learn Plus. If you're interested in in seeing more check out the episode here 👉 learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/learn-plus-episode-48-creative-filters
💡 How was it lit?
3 Lights:
✅ Light 1: Bare bulbs + blue gel off center in front
✅ Light 2: Bare bulb + Magenta gel back left
✅ Light 3: Bare bulb + Magenta gel back right
📸 Camera Settings:
✅ 1/200th
✅ F3.2
✅ ISO: 400
📸 Gear:
✅ Canon EOS R5: adorama.rfvk.net/JxzdE
✅ Canon RF 24-105mm: https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
✅ Profoto D2: adorama.rfvk.net/qvB7y
✅ Rosco Creative Effects Gel Kit: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpR9a/
✅ Savage Universal Fashion Gray background: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpjPy/
✅ Profoto Air Remote: adorama.rfvk.net/W3o5G
✅ Avenger D600 boom arm: adorama.rfvk.net/XRdAG
✅ Savage C-Stand: adorama.rfvk.net/J1ZW2
✅ Tether Tools TetherBoost Pro 31' USB-C to Micro-B Cable, Orange Right Angle: adorama.rfvk.net/Kj11ja
🔥 Interested in learning more about these looks check out my lighting guides: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/shop
----
👉 Portfolio: lindsayadlerphotography.com
👉 Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
👉 Facebook: facebook.com/lindsayadlerphotography
👉 Twitter: twitter.com/lindsayadler
👉 Education: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
Some of the links in this description contain affiliate links to partners.
