Lighting Diagram Sketches That Reveal the Recipes Behind Photos

When photographer Paul Schlemmer started out in photography in his late teens, he spent the first four years studying the subject of light. As he became more proficient, he began sketching lighting diagrams to share how photos were lit and constructed.

Schlemmer’s current collection of lighting diagrams spans everything from using a single reflector to direct sunlight onto a chicken to more complicated scenes involving multiple gelled flashes. His hope is that these photo/diagram combos will help other photographers in their lighting journeys.

You can find more of Schlemmer’s work and writing on his website, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Image credits: Photograph and diagrams by Paul Schlemmer and used with permission