SUMMARY

Glyn Dewis demonstrates how to achieve dark, moody portraits even in bright midday sun using minimal gear. The technique involves setting the camera to f/16, ISO 125, and 1/250s to minimize ambient light, then using a single gridded flash (Westcott FJ100) positioned high to skim light down the subject's face. This method controls background exposure by leveraging light fall-off and allows for consistent results across various locations. Post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop involves detailed retouching, dodging, burning, and sharpening to refine the final image.

TAKEAWAYS

Use f/16, ISO 125, and 1/250s to minimize ambient light in bright daylight.

A gridded flash, like the Westcott FJ100, is key for shaping light and controlling background spill.

Light fall-off is utilized to ensure the subject is well-lit while the background remains dark.

Post-processing includes dodging, burning, and selective retouching to enhance the portrait.

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