In portrait and fashion photography, understanding lighting is key to creating impactful images. I didn’t have the benefit of formal training in lighting or studio setups; instead I learned by studying behind-the-scenes (BTS) photos, observing how photographers I admire lit their subjects, and replicating those setups to develop my own style.
I was reminded of this self-taught approach while writing about the 2025 Pirelli Calendar shot by Ethan James Green. The BTS images from that project brought back memories of my early learning of lighting through observation and practice, and I believe there’s so much to gain from studying photographs such as these.
