INSTRUCTOR
Claudio Eshun (aka Don Claude)
LOCATION
Photographic Resource Center (PRC)
DATE: July 18th, 2026
TIME: 12 PM – 4 PM
DURATION: 4 Hours
Member Fee: $170
Non-Member Fee: $200
Class Description:
This hands-on workshop is designed for photographers and lens-based artists looking to build confidence working with studio lighting and strobes. Participants will learn the fundamentals of studio lighting, including how to work with light modifiers, create different lighting setups, and understand how lighting shapes mood, portraiture, and visual storytelling.
The workshop will include live demonstrations followed by hands-on shooting time where participants can experiment with professional lighting equipment in a small-group setting. Topics may include basic strobe operation, portrait lighting setups, balancing ambient and artificial light, and common studio lighting techniques used in contemporary photography.
This workshop is intended for beginner to intermediate photographers interested in strengthening their technical skills and understanding of studio practices.
Participants should bring their own camera and memory card.
Workshop Timeline:
12:00–12:15 PM | Welcome & Introductions
- Introductions
- Overview of workshop goals and schedule
- Review of equipment and studio safety
12:15–1:00 PM | Studio Lighting Fundamentals
- Understanding strobes and flash systems
- Exposure settings for studio photography
- Hard light vs. soft light
- Light modifiers and their uses
- How lighting influences mood and storytelling
1:00–1:45 PM | Live Demonstration
- Building a one-light setup from scratch
- Portrait lighting patterns:
- Rembrandt
- Loop
- Butterfly
- Split lighting
- Demonstrating how small changes affect the final image
1:45–2:00 PM | Break
2:00–3:00 PM | Hands-On Shooting Session I
- Participants photograph a fellow participant
- Practice with one-light setups
- Experiment with modifiers and light placement
- Individual guidance from the instructor
3:00–3:30 PM | Intermediate Lighting Techniques
- Multi-light setups
- Balancing ambient and strobe light
- Using fill, rim, and background lights
- Creating dramatic and cinematic portraits
3:30–4:00 PM | Hands-On Shooting Session II & Q&A
- Participants experiment with more advanced setups
- Creative exploration and troubleshooting
- Final questions and discussion
- Resources for continued learning and next steps
About the Instructor
Claudio Eshun (aka Don Claude) is a photo-based artist and educator at Harvard University and Worcester State University. He received his BS in Biological Sciences from Bridgewater State University in 2019 and an MFA degree in Photography from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2022.
As a longtime resident of Worcester, MA, Claudio reflects on and reimagines scenes from his own history: He sees images from Ghana and Italy and more recently from America. By assembling photographs — found, collected, and made — Claude explores his multiple pasts and possibilities for the future with his family and friends. His work has been collected by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Harvard Art Museum, and Trustman Art Gallery. Currently, Claudio is represented by 13Forest Gallery located in Arlington, MA.
Visit him at 551 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116, as he is focused on activating his studio.
