A very common mistake of a less experienced photographer is to “over light” the subject of the image. Sometimes less is better. Like here:

So for many portraits and creative shots I recommend you do not start with throwing light everywhere. Start with dark. Then add light -and colour- where you want it, bit by bit.

So that is why…

• We avoid white studios and backdrops.
• Or we use black reflectors to eat up light.
• And we set our ISO/Aperture/Shutter to kill ambient light.
• And we use softboxes, grids, snoots, and gobos, not just umbrellas.

If you think about these things, your creative images will be better – I guarantee it.