Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Each photograph contains a hidden map of how it was created, if you know where to look!
If you train yourself to read the shadows, the catchlights, and the highlights of a photograph, you can actually reverse engineer and recreate almost any lighting you see!
In this video, I will show you how to analyze an image step by step to decipher the exact modifiers and light placements used to create a checkerboard lighting effect.
Together, we will break down a dramatic portrait, test your ability to read light, and then reveal the behind-the-scenes setup so you can see how close your guess was to reality.
You will learn:
• How to determine the direction and quality of a light source using shadow edges
• How to identify specific modifiers, like a beauty dish, by analyzing catchlights in the eyes
• The fundamental framework of checkerboard lighting and how to control it
• How to use simple tools like grids and cinefoil to shape light and prevent spill
0:00 Intro
0:49 The Three Keys to Analyzing Light
1:40 Reading Shadows and Catchlights
3:02 The Checkerboard Lighting Framework
3:54 Behind the Scenes Reveal
**** LIGHTING REVEALED*******
💡Lighting
Main Light: beauty dish placed high and to the left-hand side of the frame, fitted with a honeycomb grid to keep the light off the left side of the background.
Background Light: bae strobe placed on the right-hand side of the frame, flagged with cinefoil to cast a dramatic, irregular shadow down the middle of the background to complete the checkerboard effect.
FREE guide on learning to see light! Learn to See and Read lighting with my free guide: https://lindsayadler.photo/stl and check out the full BTS video of this shot when you Join Learn+ learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/learnplus/.
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Canon EOS R5 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
adorama.rfvk.net/any13N
Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Lens
https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
Profoto White Softlight Reflector (Beauty Dish) - 20.5"
https://prf.hn/l/7RPLemA/
Profoto Honeycomb Grid for the Softlight Reflector
https://prf.hn/l/YLBGOJy/
Rosco Matte Black Photofoil, 12"x10' Roll
https://prf.hn/l/2MgNBx9/
Savage 107"x36' Widetone Seamless Background Paper Fashion Gray Single
https://prf.hn/l/7gzpjPy/
#lightinggear #lightingtips #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Cinema youtube.com/@AdoramaCinema
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
More of Lindsay Adler
Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
Each photograph contains a hidden map of how it was created, if you know where to look!
If you train yourself to read the shadows, the catchlights, and the highlights of a photograph, you can actually reverse engineer and recreate almost any lighting you see!
In this video, I will show you how to analyze an image step by step to decipher the exact modifiers and light placements used to create a checkerboard lighting effect.
Together, we will break down a dramatic portrait, test your ability to read light, and then reveal the behind-the-scenes setup so you can see how close your guess was to reality.
You will learn:
• How to determine the direction and quality of a light source using shadow edges
• How to identify specific modifiers, like a beauty dish, by analyzing catchlights in the eyes
• The fundamental framework of checkerboard lighting and how to control it
• How to use simple tools like grids and cinefoil to shape light and prevent spill
0:00 Intro
0:49 The Three Keys to Analyzing Light
1:40 Reading Shadows and Catchlights
3:02 The Checkerboard Lighting Framework
3:54 Behind the Scenes Reveal
**** LIGHTING REVEALED*******
💡Lighting
Main Light: beauty dish placed high and to the left-hand side of the frame, fitted with a honeycomb grid to keep the light off the left side of the background.
Background Light: bae strobe placed on the right-hand side of the frame, flagged with cinefoil to cast a dramatic, irregular shadow down the middle of the background to complete the checkerboard effect.
FREE guide on learning to see light! Learn to See and Read lighting with my free guide: https://lindsayadler.photo/stl and check out the full BTS video of this shot when you Join Learn+ learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/learnplus/.
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Canon EOS R5 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
adorama.rfvk.net/any13N
Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Lens
https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
Profoto White Softlight Reflector (Beauty Dish) - 20.5"
https://prf.hn/l/7RPLemA/
Profoto Honeycomb Grid for the Softlight Reflector
https://prf.hn/l/YLBGOJy/
Rosco Matte Black Photofoil, 12"x10' Roll
https://prf.hn/l/2MgNBx9/
Savage 107"x36' Widetone Seamless Background Paper Fashion Gray Single
https://prf.hn/l/7gzpjPy/
#lightinggear #lightingtips #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Cinema youtube.com/@AdoramaCinema
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
More of Lindsay Adler
Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
