This video from the Live Archive was shot at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns and quarantines were sweeping the globe. Before getting into the class she has prepared, Sue offers words of encouragement, reminding everyone that they can still practice photographing themselves and their family and roommates they are quarantined with. Also, in doing so, everyone will be prepared to go back to work when it is possible to re-open their businesses under restriction.

Sue then shows her lighting setup with a Stella 5,000 with a white shell umbrella modifier and a modeling light on strobe. However, all the setups in this video can be done in natural light, constant light, or strobe. This video is full of lighting hacks that can be accomplished with any lighting setup you have.

The key premises it works with are:

• Depth
• Contouring
• Distance
• Contrast
• Contouring bodies with posing and light
• How you can alter the mood and tone of an image significantly by choosing the light

It’s all about experimenting with light and playing!