When I first started photography, I proudly called myself a “natural light photographer.” It sounded cool and professional, but if I’m being honest, I mainly said it because I had no idea how to use strobes. The thought of working with artificial light felt scary, and natural light was the safer, more accessible choice. But as I grew in my photography journey, I realized that learning to control light—rather than just chasing it—was a game-changer.
Check out the two example images below. In both cases, I used a super affordable Yongnuo flash triggered by Pocket Wizards. Back in 2013, this setup was a budget-friendly way to light a subject, even if it wasn’t top-notch gear. And the difference it made? Night and day. With off-camera lighting, I wasn’t just capturing what was in front of me—I was shaping the light, setting the mood, and creating an environment that told a more compelling story.
Over the years, my understanding of lighting has changed a lot, but I still have so much more to learn. If there’s one thing I’d tell any photographer who’s moving from beginner to intermediate, it’s this: learning to light is one of the best investments you can make in your craft. Cameras come and go, lenses get better, but the ability to control light is what sets a good photographer apart from a great one.
I once heard a saying: Beginners talk about cameras, professionals talk about lenses, masters talk about lighting, and artists talk about stories. I wouldn’t call myself a master of lighting, but I know that when I control the light, I control the emotion of an image, and at the end of the day, that’s what photography is all about—telling a powerful, meaningful story in a single frame.
So if you’ve been hesitant to try off-camera lighting, take the plunge! Start small, experiment, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Because once you start shaping light rather than just capturing it, you’ll see your work change in ways you never imagined.
So… are you a natural light photographer? What does great lighting mean to you?
This is what the end result looks like, which can give the impression this was done in a studio with a seamless backdrop.
It looks like the photo was taken on a green background when really it is a single light behind the subject with a green gel, and the main light in a soft box on the right of the subject
When in reality, we were shooting in the living room against a white wall as the background with a single light to the right.
This is how the image was created, if you look closely you can see behind our subject there is a small light stand holding up the hidden background light with a gel, while the main key light is to the right of him.