Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
One of the greatest superpowers you can develop as a photographer is the ability to look at an image, analyze the lighting, and recreate it yourself. Once you learn to "read" light, you can reverse engineer almost any photograph.
In today's video, I'll walk you through the exact framework I use to analyze lighting by breaking down shadows, catchlights, highlights, falloff, and color. You'll learn a simple, repeatable process for understanding how an image was lit instead of relying on guesswork.
Then we'll put that framework to the test by dissecting a more advanced image featuring multiple lights and color. You'll follow my thought process step by step as we identify each light source and recreate the setup.
When you're finished watching, keep scrolling below. I've included the complete gear list and the final lighting diagram so you can see how close your analysis was. Before you peek, see if you can guess every light in the setup!
Intro 0:00
Review of photo: 4:38
Lighting Answer: 8:42
Essential free resources:
Seeing the Light Guide: https://lindsayadler.photo/stl
FREE Color Portrait RGB Guide https://lindsayadler.photo/nanliteguide 12+ setups!
ANSWERS!
📸 Camera Settings:
Shutter: 1/160th
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 800
** Only read this to check your guess!**
💡Lighting
1. Main Light: Forza 60C with a Nanlite FM Mount Octabox placed slightly off to the right and relatively low
2. Rim Lights 2 (back left/right) 2’ Pavo Tubes (set to orange)
3. Fill Light: Pavo Tube (set to blue) positioned in the front left and kept low.
4. Background Light: Pavo Tube (set to blue) placed low behind the subject to create a gradient.
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 Mirrorless Camera
adorama.com/canon-eos-r5-mark-ii-mirrorless-camera/p/car5m2?sterm=V1AS2tTJBxycU7hQIzwsa1tiUkuXhlR3Nwdf080&afsrc=1&utm_source=rflaid66569&utm_medium=affiliate
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
https://prf.hn/l/7DlBYyY/
Nanlite Forza 60C RGBLAC LED Spot Light
https://prf.hn/l/o3kJ4Rd/
Nanlite Rapid 120 Parabolic Softbox
https://prf.hn/l/deVA2DY/
Nanlite PavoTube II 15C 2' 30W RGBWW LED Tube 2-Light Kit
https://prf.hn/l/LAXJjq3/
#lightingtutorial #studiolighting #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
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCU6k064s_XoFd-8MmpjFDYA
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
One of the greatest superpowers you can develop as a photographer is the ability to look at an image, analyze the lighting, and recreate it yourself. Once you learn to "read" light, you can reverse engineer almost any photograph.
In today's video, I'll walk you through the exact framework I use to analyze lighting by breaking down shadows, catchlights, highlights, falloff, and color. You'll learn a simple, repeatable process for understanding how an image was lit instead of relying on guesswork.
Then we'll put that framework to the test by dissecting a more advanced image featuring multiple lights and color. You'll follow my thought process step by step as we identify each light source and recreate the setup.
When you're finished watching, keep scrolling below. I've included the complete gear list and the final lighting diagram so you can see how close your analysis was. Before you peek, see if you can guess every light in the setup!
Intro 0:00
Review of photo: 4:38
Lighting Answer: 8:42
Essential free resources:
Seeing the Light Guide: https://lindsayadler.photo/stl
FREE Color Portrait RGB Guide https://lindsayadler.photo/nanliteguide 12+ setups!
ANSWERS!
📸 Camera Settings:
Shutter: 1/160th
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 800
** Only read this to check your guess!**
💡Lighting
1. Main Light: Forza 60C with a Nanlite FM Mount Octabox placed slightly off to the right and relatively low
2. Rim Lights 2 (back left/right) 2’ Pavo Tubes (set to orange)
3. Fill Light: Pavo Tube (set to blue) positioned in the front left and kept low.
4. Background Light: Pavo Tube (set to blue) placed low behind the subject to create a gradient.
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 Mirrorless Camera
adorama.com/canon-eos-r5-mark-ii-mirrorless-camera/p/car5m2?sterm=V1AS2tTJBxycU7hQIzwsa1tiUkuXhlR3Nwdf080&afsrc=1&utm_source=rflaid66569&utm_medium=affiliate
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
https://prf.hn/l/7DlBYyY/
Nanlite Forza 60C RGBLAC LED Spot Light
https://prf.hn/l/o3kJ4Rd/
Nanlite Rapid 120 Parabolic Softbox
https://prf.hn/l/deVA2DY/
Nanlite PavoTube II 15C 2' 30W RGBWW LED Tube 2-Light Kit
https://prf.hn/l/LAXJjq3/
#lightingtutorial #studiolighting #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
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCU6k064s_XoFd-8MmpjFDYA
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
