Lighting the Way: Fundamentals of Photographic Lighting with Damian McGillicuddy

On 21 September, photographers gathered in Widnes, Cheshire for a full day of inspiration and learning at our Fundamentals of Photographic Lighting workshop with Damian McGillicuddy—double-barred Grand Master of The Societies and the first to hold a Fellowship in Photographic Training.

Damian’s opening reminder set the tone for the day:

“If you want to be a better photographer, you need to understand and be able to manipulate light without compromise.”

Breaking Down the Big Concepts

Damian has an incredible ability to take even the most intimidating lighting topics and make them simple, practical, and most importantly, enjoyable. Throughout the workshop, delegates discovered:

• Light’s four fundamental qualities and how understanding them changes everything.
• How lighting ratios control mood and impact.
• Why lighting patterns matter, and when to use each for the best results.
• The purpose of different modifiers—and why choosing the right one matters.
• How to get comfortable with metering and using TTL.
• The role of key, fill, background, hair, and separation lights in creating depth.
• Why the dreaded inverse square law can actually become your new best friend.

A Fun, Friendly Atmosphere

Far from being a dry technical lecture, the day was full of laughter, thoughtful questions, and those “lightbulb moments” (pun intended!) that remind us why ongoing education is so valuable. Attendees commented on how approachable Damian made each topic and how inspired they felt to put what they’d learned into practice.

A Huge Thank You

We’re incredibly grateful to Damian McGillicuddy for sharing his passion and expertise, and to all the photographers who joined us in Widnes, you made the day a brilliant success.

Don’t Miss the Next One!

If you’re ready to build your confidence with light and elevate your photography, keep an eye on our Events & Workshops page for upcoming opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, brushing up on lighting fundamentals can save you time, improve your results in-camera, and boost your revenue.