Project 1 – The Logic of Light ‘Onion’ Challenge
We're starting off simple. One onion, one light - no complicated setup. Just a chance to take it back to basics and actually see how you can control light and understand the effect it has on your images.
We're not looking for perfect final shots, just for you to show that you can make small changes to your lighting and notice what happens when you do.
Move the light, change the angle, adjust the distance, each time the image shifts. that's what this is all about! Give the class above a watch and then get going - start experimenting with light.
Project Kit List
Keep it simple - you probably have everything you need
- Camera - Any camera, even a phone is fine.
- Onion - 2 Brown Onions (prioritize dry, papery textures).
- Small Surface - Any flat table, chopping board, or card.
- Light Source -Studio light, Speedlite, lamp, torch or even a window.
- Mirror - A small makeup or shaving mirror.
- Card - A sheet of black and white card.
That's it, nothing complicated - just a chance to see what happens when you start taking control of light.
We can't wait to see the images you take, share them with us through the upload form on the right of this page.
Deadline for Entries: 5th April 2026
Review of Entries: 14th April 2026
Project Members Gallery
Comments
Hi, I like this project and the fundamental exercise to boost confidence and understanding light.
That fact is that this exercise is not different then photographing a glass of water in window light or the egg in the times of the day to see the light and understanding light.
The fact is that practice help for the other shoot that a photographer will encounter, so I think that, still life and simple shoot can be good practice any time someone can, and not be discouraged by more complicated shoots, have a good weekend…
👍
Dear Karl and Team, thank you so much. As always, your explanation was spot on—clear, structured, and easy to follow. From my perspective as a music teacher and coach for over 30 years, and a professional photographer for many years: go for it.
Thank you.
Great class as usual! Good reminder for many of us that don’t currently have enough time, for whatever reason, to practice.
Cheers.
This was an excellent class. I can’t wait to get started applying the lessons here
Great to hear thank you.
You did not demonstrate the snoot, yet it’s in the project’s list. I guess the makeup mirror is interchangeable with the snoot for the hard light shot?
Yes the snoot was demonstrated, it actually came in as a question from the audience and then I showed what it does.
Yes, my bad, sorry. I guess my question was more about the use of the snoot in relation with the images we can upload. Can we do the hard light shot with a snoot?
Hi, I’d prefer if the entries are following the guidelines shows using just bare bulb (or speedlite or desk lamp) because that will provide evidence that the participants have fully understood the skills of flagging, distance and using mirrors for backlighting, none of that would be possible with a snoot.
Ok thanks, understood. I was confused because the snoot is in the project’s list.
Hi Ok thanks for letting me know, one of my team must have put that in their so I’ll get them to take that out.
Looking forward for those projects, as well as briefs. Good class.
Thanks.
Wasn’t able to watch this entire session live but have just finished watching it now. Really useful information, can’t wait to try this all out!!
Excellent!
Excellent tutorial Karl…enjoyed the break down and simple explanation of each of the exampled lighting techniques.
Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the feedback.
In my opinion, this is the correct direction to go. To recognize an individual’s achievement in this photography game that we play, I think is a good way to go.
You’re giving someone a badge of honor with these achievements. It’s sort of like a video game. It’s very fun to participate in this style of learning.
If I could make one critique, it would be to re-organize the website in chronological order in a blog style format. This would make it this would make it easier find content.
As a longtime subscriber it’s just getting better Karl. The platform has improved year after year after year. Congratulations.
Thanks Doug, we will take onboard your comments for consideration.
Hi Karl, this is a great method for understanding and using light. Even members with less equipment can get the most out of their photos this way. Keep up the good work with this concept!
I think it’s also a perfect opportunity for more experienced members to rethink the fundamentals of light! A really great course, both thumbs up!
Best regards from Germany, Michael
Thank you Michael much appreciated.
This new Project format is brilliant for some of us that primarily do work for smaller brands that have no concept of or the budget for “briefs” and an art director/team. Usually my clients expect me to do “everything” including layout, mood, styling, etc.
Excellent glad you like it!
“The adage of You don’t know what you don’t know” is very applicable, as I am mostly self-taught; there are gaps in my knowledge, but knowing where those gaps are is half the battle.
Good adage!
Great course as always ! Thank you Karl and the Team ! An enjoyable moment thinking about physics, and how it can create the right emotion under the right angle/type/quality of light ! A lot of fundamentals I already knew about, some of them I forgot and some of them I had never thought in this way. What a PLEASURE to learn again and revisit these concepts that we too often take for granted.
The coffee was good, the class was a master one, thanks for the passion and the sharing, can’t wait to upload some good images !
Have a great day everyone !
Much appreciated thanks!
Thank you for this class! Learned some new things and had “a ha” moments on others! Looking forward to future ones as well!
Excellent cheers!
Thanks Karl, great lesson. I now understand hard and soft lighting better.
That’s what we like to hear thank you.
So helpful! Thanks so much Karl and team! 🙂
Thank you for being part of it!
Karl, the way you explain concepts is incredibly smooth and clear. You make even complex topics feel simple and practical. Truly amazing teaching — thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously.
Very kind thank you and glad you enjoyed it.
Amazing class! I have watched most of the classes on the platform and got a good grasp for hard and soft light, I have played with it, but now it really clicked. I cannot undo it. 🙂 No I really I understand, how the quality of light is determined by the size of the light source relative to the subject.
Thank you so much for your effort, Karl!
Kind regards,
Petar
Thank you Petar that’s great to hear.
Please consider a Q&A after each section of your presentation. Questions during, to me, were disruptive to my focus on your class.
Ok thanks for the feedback we’ll consider that.
I enjoyed the class. I learned a good deal from the demonstrations. It helped to increase the understanding of the physics of light and to help enhance the understanding of the lighting courses. For me, this was a good direction for teaching for those of us who are new to photography. Thanks
Brilliant thank you for the feedback.
All the courses here are excellent for learning, but this one was truly exceptional!
I hope to see more courses like this. Thank you, Karl.
Massimo
Glad to hear Massimo and thank you.
Brilliant class…seeing the fundamentals explained in this clear and simple way helps lock in the basics now, that can later be used to expand creativity, but also give the photographer the knowledge to achieve the desired image.
Perfect, that’s what we love to hear.
Hi Karl, it’s always a pleasure watching you. So many years I’m here, and I can say that you taught me so well how to use the light. I will submit my photo even if I’m not very sure where….Is a long time since I submitted.
Thank you so much for joining us and learning with us on this platform. It’s always great to hear that we’ve helped someone with lighting over the years and I’m glad you enjoyed this first project and I look forward to you taking part in testing the concepts on this one and the future ones.
Karl, this project class was incredibly helpful. Focused on one type of lighting lesson really helps to learn. I thought I understood these concepts, but putting all the elements together of distance, size of light and background became more clear to me. I’m going to practice this until I can do it automatically. I have learned so much this past year from your platform, but fundamental instruction is invaluable as I try to work with more lights and subjects. Thank you.
That’s what we love to hear thank you!
I do not only like the class, but I also love it! Learned so much from this class. Thanks Sir and the team for doing this. Love and respect from Calcutta.
Excellent thank you!
Thanks K. and Team. Already sent my wife to the grocery.
Ha Ha brilliant, we look forward to you taking part.
Right direction, fantastic. Thank you!
Nice approach on different kinds of physics that are important while lighting in photography. Really enjoyed it and very keen to see more. Thank you Karl and team for the clear view on the topics shown.
Kind regards,
Koen
Fantastic! Going in the correct direction for sure. Jo
Thanks v much. Great combination of instruction/revision clearly presented