# @adorama on YouTube

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=nO9T_UZ2McI
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70064843-adorama-youtube
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d36ad5e01a.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-25T14:00:05.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Adorama (@adorama) — https://gondola.cc/adorama

## Caption

Each photograph contains a hidden map of how it was created, if you know where to look! 

If you train yourself to read the shadows, the catchlights, and the highlights of a photograph, you can actually reverse engineer and recreate almost any lighting you see!

In this video, I will show you how to analyze an image step by step to decipher the exact modifiers and light placements used to create a checkerboard lighting effect. 

Together, we will break down a dramatic portrait, test your ability to read light, and then reveal the behind-the-scenes setup so you can see how close your guess was to reality.

You will learn:
 • How to determine the direction and quality of a light source using shadow edges
 • How to identify specific modifiers, like a beauty dish, by analyzing catchlights in the eyes
 • The fundamental framework of checkerboard lighting and how to control it
 • How to use simple tools like grids and cinefoil to shape light and prevent spill

0:00 Intro
0:49 The Three Keys to Analyzing Light
1:40 Reading Shadows and Catchlights
3:02 The Checkerboard Lighting Framework
3:54 Behind the Scenes Reveal

**** LIGHTING REVEALED******* 

💡Lighting
Main Light: beauty dish placed high and to the left-hand side of the frame, fitted with a honeycomb grid to keep the light off the left side of the background.
Background Light: bae strobe placed on the right-hand side of the frame, flagged with cinefoil to cast a dramatic, irregular shadow down the middle of the background to complete the checkerboard effect.

FREE guide on learning to see light! Learn to See and Read lighting with my free guide: https://lindsayadler.photo/stl and check out the full BTS video of this shot when you Join Learn+ https://learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/learnplus/. 

SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY: 
➥ https://www.youtube.com/user/adoramaTV 

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✘ GEAR USED:

Canon EOS R5 Mark II Mirrorless Camera 
https://adorama.rfvk.net/any13N   

Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Lens
https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/

Profoto White Softlight Reflector (Beauty Dish) - 20.5"
https://prf.hn/l/7RPLemA/

Profoto Honeycomb Grid for the Softlight Reflector
https://prf.hn/l/YLBGOJy/

Rosco Matte Black Photofoil, 12"x10' Roll
https://prf.hn/l/2MgNBx9/

Savage 107"x36' Widetone Seamless Background Paper Fashion Gray Single
https://prf.hn/l/7gzpjPy/ 

#lightinggear #lightingtips #adorama

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➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord https://www.adorama.com/discord

❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop https://www.adorama.com/
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More of Lindsay Adler
Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo 

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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

## Stats

- **Views:** 8,137
- **Likes:** 395
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 35

## Tags

lightingtips, lightinggear, adorama

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