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Old Hollywood produced a type of lighting that is still popular today. This film noir, high contrast looks was originally created with hot lights, barn doors, and fresnel lenses. Today, however, we can recreate this look without breaking out large lights and heavy modifiers.  

While many photographers opt for the soft-light look, it's easy to get in a situation where every shoot a larger modifier is brought out to create beautiful flowing soft light. However, it's important to remember there are other tools in our bag. When the job requires a bolt rather than a nail, it's wise to bring a wrench rather than a hammer. Much like actual tools, photographic tools also serve different purposes. This particular job required drama, and where's there's drama there is hard light and shadow.  

We've shown how to create a 3-point lighting set up before, but how about one with a twist: color in the shadows! Here's a classic set up with a main light, fill light, and hair light, but the unique look of this image comes in when gels are added to some of the lights.  

Erik Valind demonstrates how to easily capture portraits in unusual places for events or on-location shoots using only 2 flashes and Rogue FlashBender 2 Flash Modifiers. Flash photography lighting video tutorial, techniques and tips.