Expressive Photography: Playing with Light
A course by Martina Matencio Ruiz PeinadoPhotographer Specialized in Fashion Photography
A course by Martina Matencio Ruiz Peinado, Photographer Specialized in Fashion Photography
Experiment with light and shadow and learn how to direct your models to shoot captivating photos
A ray of sunshine, a sliver of shadow across the face—even the tiniest lighting details can completely change the meaning of a photograph. Martina Matencio, fashion photographer who has worked with brands like Vogue, Armani, and Netflix, shows you how to capture breathtaking images by playing with natural light.
In this course, learn how to adapt lighting to your photography by experimenting with chiaroscuro and a variety of objects. Direct your models to strike compelling poses with expressive looks and create a series of images that harnesses the artistic potential of natural light.
What will you learn in this online course?
11 lessons & 20 downloads
Search for Inspiration
10 minutes, 27 seconds
Session Planning
14 minutes, 1 second
Photographic Materials
2 minutes, 35 seconds
Natural Light and Chiaroscuro
6 minutes, 40 seconds
Posed
4 minutes, 31 seconds
Experiments with Lights and Objects
15 minutes, 20 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know your teacher, Martina Matencio. Hear about her professional background and how she turned her passion for photography into a career. She talks about her life experiences that have influenced her style and shares some of her biggest sources of inspiration.
Start your project by searching for your own sources of inspiration and compile ideas to help you plan your photoshoot. Martina explains how she approaches her shoots and goes over her favorite photography equipment.
Next, follow your teacher's lead and experiment with natural light and chiaroscuro. She gives you some tips on how to position your model based on the direction of the light and shows you how other factors such as direct or indirect light can drastically change your photos. Discover how to create new atmospheres by playing with different objects and learn how to direct your model, focusing on body position and gaze, to get powerful, expressive poses.
Now it's time for the post-production phase. Martina explains her criteria for selecting the best photos. Once you've chosen the final images, upload and edit them in Lightroom using certain presets depending on the lighting in your photos. To tie everything together, post your work on Instagram and discover how to cultivate a specific look for your account by finding the perfect balance between color and composition to captivate your audience.
What is this course's project?
Prepare a photoshoot with natural light and capture a series of powerful images by playing with lighting and chiaroscuro.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in photography who wants to learn how to use natural light in their photos.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is needed to take this course.
The only materials you need are a camera, a computer with Lightroom, and objects to experiment with in front of the lens.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
es un curso muy inspirador
- 2 years ago
It is an interesting course. I recommend it a lot.
- 2 years ago
un curso muy didáctico. Excelente profesora.
- 3 years ago
excelente!
- 3 years ago
ottimo corso
In 2017, she published her first book Tus ojos, mis manos (Stendhal Books) with actress Alba Ribas. Martina currently works as a professional photographer specializing in fashion with a client list that includes international brands like Netflix, Armani, Vogue, and Lula Japan.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Inspiration
- Search for Inspiration
- Session Planning
- Photographic Materials
- U3
Experiment without Fear
- Natural Light and Chiaroscuro
- Posed
- Experiments with Lights and Objects
- U4
Photo Editing and Posting on Instagram
- Image Selection
- Basic Development in Lightroom
- How to Take Care Of Your Account on Instagram: Color and Aesthetics
- FP
Final project
- Photography with Natural Light: Capture Expressive Images
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn techniques to capture emotions, work with natural and artificial light, experiment with materials, direct models, and edit images — all while drawing inspiration from poetry, film, and art to develop your own authentic photographic vision.
Yes, the course is designed for those with basic photography knowledge who want to deepen their skills in creative techniques, model direction, and visual storytelling.
It’s not required. You can use digital, film, or even your phone camera. The course covers techniques that work across different equipment and budgets.
It’s recommended to have a camera (digital, film, or phone), various lenses, access to Lightroom or Photoshop, and some everyday materials like mirrors, colored plastics, and simple light sources.
The course teaches how to document sensitive situations with empathy and respect, using techniques that prioritize the emotional well-being of your subjects and emphasize building genuine connections.
Yes, you’ll explore model direction strategies, composition, lighting, and emotional connection to create natural, expressive portraits.
The course covers using natural light, LEDs, chiaroscuro, projections, and materials like acrylic and mirrors to craft innovative lighting effects in portraiture.