Project 1 – The Logic of Light ‘Onion’ Challenge
This project isn’t just about an onion. It’s about building a fundamental skill that you can practice right now, at your kitchen table, with almost no gear. The logic you’ll use here (shaping texture, controlling reflections, and creating mood) applies to everything you will ever photograph. Mastering these physics on a simple subject today gives you the deliberate confidence you need for the complex subjects tomorrow.
This is a guided project designed to help you slow down, simplify, and gain confidence in how you shape and control light - using a simple subject and minimal equipment.
You can take part quietly, actively, or anywhere in between. There’s no right way to do this.
How to Take Part - Relax and Learn
Please note: The class replay is not a follow-along session. You don’t need your camera out or your lights on while watching. Please use the chapters icon (bottom right of the video panel) to quickly jump into the learning you want to explore first.
We want you to grab a coffee, sit back, and enjoy the show. Focus on the briefing and the lighting techniques Karl demonstrates. Once the session ends, you'll have everything you need to take the task into your own space and start your own attempts at your own pace.
Everything you need is likely already in your home.
You don’t need to have any of this ready for the project. We’ve listed these items simply to show you how little is required to achieve professional results once you're ready to start your own experiments.
Project Kit List
01. The Capture Device
Any Camera: From a smartphone to a professional DSLR. Mastery is about the physics of the light, not the sensor capturing it.
02. The Subject & Scenery
- The Subject: 2 Large Brown Onions (prioritize dry, papery textures).
- The Surface: Any flat table, chopping board, or card.
- Precision Reflector: A small makeup or shaving mirror.
- Flags & Reflectors: Small pieces of black and white card or foam board.
03. Illumination (Pick Your Tool)
- Continuous: A standard desk lamp or household work light.
- Battery Power: A Speedlite (Flashgun) used off-camera.
- Studio Power: A standard studio strobe or bare-bulb flash.
04. Modification Tools
- DIY Scrim: Diffusion material (tracing paper or a white shower curtain).
- Fill Tools: Silver foil or white card to lift shadows within the textures.
What this Project is Really About
Most photographers start by pointing a light at a subject and hoping it works. This project is about moving beyond that. It helps you see how light behaves when you change its position, distance, or angle and how those small changes affect shape, texture, and mood.
The goal isn’t a perfect image. It’s learning to make deliberate choices instead of guessing. Once you feel that shift, it carries into everything you photograph.
How to approach it
Keep this simple. Work in a space you already have. Use one light source; window light or a lamp is fine. Make small adjustments and pay attention to what changes.
There’s no rush and nothing to “get right”. Progress here comes from noticing, not producing.
Supporting classes
Below is a small selection of classes that support this project. You don’t need to watch them all - they’re here if you want extra context or help solving a specific problem.
Watch as much or as little as you need. These are tools, not homework.
Project Timeline
- 19 February: Project launches with a live briefing. Watch the replay if you're starting today.
- Active Phase: The floor is yours to start experimenting in your own space at your own pace.
- 7 April: The project wraps up with a review session, where Karl will dive into what we’ve all discovered together.
The Physics of Light: In Action
This isn't a gallery of final masterpieces. This is a live stream of breakthroughs. From smartphone experiments to studio setups, this is where the Logic of Light becomes reality.
Comments
Had a bit of fun with mine and decided to go with an onion with “hair”
I’ve learned a lot! I never understood how the light source can affect the outcome of a photo. I would shoot and guess. Never understanding why I wasn’t getting what I was looking for. With this project I hope to control my lighting better knowing how it can change the photo.
Excellent to hear and we will be progressing through other important aspects of lighting in the next Projects.
Thanks Karl I really enjoyed that.
your right its all about convenience and speed regarding equipment,same applies for carpentry which I also do a lot of.
Cheers Ray Goodwin
Thanks Ray, that reminds me I need some new DIY tools! I’m working on some building work and home renovations for the next couple of months.
Thanks Karl. This project seemed simple until I tried it.
I’ve never regarded myself as a still life photographer so after a first rather humbling failed attempt I’ve retired hurt and redone it from scratch. The key factor was thinking the whole thing through and putting the results of that process into practice.
Well as you work through it bit by bit it will all start to fall into place.
Excellent class to get back to basics Karl, as you mentioned sometimes its good to strip back everything & play with light no matter what subject it is. I do find shooting tethered for product, food & drink photography a game changer as it makes you slow down & analyze the image so that you can make better decisions & change things as necessary. Great show Karl & team. Looking forward to submitting my learning & images.
Excellent and thanks for the feedback.
Just signed up, i have to say this is one of the best live/class i have watched on photography in a long time. Really made me feel really excited to create my images.
Great to hear thanks.
Great class! I’ve learned many new things and revisited others. The project’s direction is very motivating, and I look forward to participating. Thanks a lot!
Thank you.
Hello Karl and team, thank you for this new project series. For me, it seems to be not only good for beginners to start learning about lighting, but also a great opportunity for more experienced photographers (among whom I would include myself) to challenge their knowledge about light in a concise format. I’m already looking forward to the next shows!
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Fun! Thanks Karl and team for creating an environment which encourages learning and sharing. This class was a great excuse to get in the studio (aka garage), just start shooting, and now sharing results.
Great to hear thanks and we look forward to you taking part.
Thank you Karl and the others. This was so helpful to see the different examples and explaining what is happening. Plus, proving to people, it’s knowledge about being able to do this and not blaming you or the equipment. Knowledge on what to do with the light and controlling the light. I love the refresher course idea.
Thank you it’s so good to hear people when they recognise/see in our demonstrations that it’s about knowledge and not kit!
Really enjoyed this lesson. You explain everything so clearly, thanks a lot!
Thank you.
Great class. Thanks
Thank you.
Karl, As always a wealth of knowledge. I loved the show and am looking forward to the other up coming projects. Thank you for passing your knowledge along. I once work for a portrait studio back in the film days and the owner, who was a Master Photographer ,once told me, when you think you know everything it is time to quit. I still live by those words. Thank you again. Greg K
Thanks Greg, much appreciated.
Just watched the replay. Really helpful and very clear. Definitely feels like the right direction. Thanks Karl.
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Great class Karl & “Team Emma!” I’ve been a member almost since the beginning and have watched many tutorials, classes, and considered participating in the briefs but never took the time or felt comfortable (after seeing some of the incredible entries) submitting anything. This direction with the projects seems more relaxed and something I can actually see myself participating in. I’ve been working with lighting for many years and have a decent understanding but this class really nailed down the “physics” of it all which will go a long way towards improving my use of lighting and KNOWING exactly what to do to achieve any look I desire. Thanks so much for launching Karl Taylor Education/ Visual Education. Your work, talent, skill, and generosity in sharing all you have to offer, not only in practical terms but on the business side, how to edit and organize etc. is not only greatly appreciated by me but, also by the world wide photography community. Thanks again! Now, it’s off to the market for some onions! 😀
That’s what we love to hear thank you!
As a total beginner in this area of studio/indoor light I was captivated. So well explained and thoroughly interesting to see how you can change light with the soft box, reflective material etc. I am definitely going to take my first steps into still life photography with this project. Thanks again for a great presentation.
Thank you.