Once upon a time in the old days, we used to use large, heavy, not very portable professional studio lighting if we wanted to do portraits, or use even more expensive portable studio flash lights.
And then speedlights came along, which simply either attach to the camera via the hot shoe, or receiving a signal from a transmitter on top of that camera.
Slightly more convenient, but I do not use any of these now, though I used to use them in the past, technology has since moved on and inexpensive Sony battery powered LED lights are more than up to the job of creating portraits.
Now don't go crazy, one light will be more than adequate for portraits, please don't be fooled into thinking you need X amount of lights, because you simply don't so many looks can be achieved with just one light,
The thing is, there are "standard" lighting practices and set ups that professionals and hobbyists alike, will swear that those set ups are the be all and end all of lighting. I am not saying that these lighting set ups are no good, in fact they produce some lovely looks, obviously a Rembrant lighting is an old favorite, that little kiss of light creating a triangle around one eye with that side of the face mostly in shadow.
It is a classic look.
As is the tradition, classic Hollywood style lighting, or Butterfly lighting, as it is also known by, where a light is placed in front of the subject in such a way that a shadow is formed under the nose that creates a butterfly from the shadows.
All very well and good, if you want classical style lighting, then go for it, but personally, I would just begin by simply playing with one light at a time, various angles and tilts, make up your own rules and just see what works for your particular style and aesthetic.
Making The Light Your Own
Light again, a subject so many of us photographers could lament over until the cows come home, so we will not dilly dally today, on with the show...
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