Mastering the Studio: A journey through light and learning.

Studio photography can feel intimidating at first, but with practice and planning, it becomes an incredibly powerful tool. When working in the studio, understanding lighting is essential. Knowing how to use lights to enhance your shoot and realise your creative vision is more important than simply just arranging them.

I carefully consider my lighting arrangement before every photoshoot. If I know the studio will be involved, I map out ideas and plan test shoots. These test shoots are crucial - they allow me to experiment with different setups, try out techniques I hadn’t considered before, and refine my final approach. Thanks to unlimited access to the universities photography studio whilst a student, I make a point of using it as often as I can.

Lighting became a key component of my creative process during my From Canvas to Camera project. I was referencing classical portrait paintings, so recreating their atmosphere meant getting the lighting just right. I experimented with Rembrandt lighting, which created a triangle of light beneath the eye and casts one side of the face in shade. It creates a moody, painterly effect and helped me mirror the emotion and depth go traditional art.

I avoided the studio a lot during my second year at University because I felt overwhelmed by it. However, in my third year, I made it a priority to overcome that fear. I made a commitment to understand how everything operated, and today I feel at ease taking pictures in the studio. I’m glad to have finally mastered something that I have always wanted to do.