Photography and Darkness: Create Cinematic Portraits
A course by Louis DazyPhotographer
A course by Louis Dazy, Photographer
Learn to play with light and shadows to create stunning cinematic photos, from preparing the shoot to art direction and editing in Lightroom
Hypnotic red neon, blurry motel lights, mysterious faces in the dark... The intimate quality of the night is conducive to wandering, introspection, and photography. The universe of photographer Louis Dazy gives pride of place to nocturnal urban atmospheres, with an undeniable cinematic influence from the likes of David Lynch and Nicolas Winding Refn.
In this online course, learn how to create low-light portraits with a dramatic look. Louis gives you his tips for shooting, managing light sources, and editing in Lightroom. Awaken your inner night owl and go hunting for mystical, sensual shots to honor the seventh art!
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 19 downloads
Cinematic Photography
4 minutes, 56 seconds
Image Theory
6 minutes, 20 seconds
Color Theory
4 minutes, 53 seconds
The Artistic Direction
3 minutes, 51 seconds
Equipment
3 minutes, 26 seconds
Taking a Picture
19 minutes, 51 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know Louis Dazy and more about his journey through the photography world. He talks about music, cinema, and photographers he admires.
Next, get into the theoretical part of the course. Louis explains the concept of cinematic photography, intrinsically linked to the seventh art. He also talks about color theory and the image in nighttime contexts.
Time to put it all into practice! Start by discovering Louis' creative process and the importance he places on art direction, before moving on to shooting. The photographer teaches you which equipment is best suited for dark environments, which light sources to use, and how to effectively relate to the model.
Once your shots are taken, all you have to do is edit them. Discover all the features in Lightroom to refine your images and work on the composition, grain, and defects. All that's left now is to export and share your shots!
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create a series of photo portraits in the dark.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone with a passion for photography, amateur or expert, who wants to improve their skills in a nighttime or low-light context (insomniacs welcome!).
Requirements and materials
To take the course, you need very little equipment: a camera, standing lights, and a computer with the Lightroom software.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
excellent j'ai beaucoup appris avec ce cours, ca change des cours classique ou on trouve sans cesse les memes conseils. ici il y a un veritable cours si sort de l'ordinaire, hyper enrichissant quand on connait le travail de Louis, je reco a fond!
- 7 months ago
Curso perfeito, fácil de aprender e bem detalhado.
- 10 months ago
me parece un gran curso, es una excelente artista
- 1 year ago
Excelente curso, brinda un enfoque simple pero profundo de este tipo de fotografía y su iluminación.
- 1 year ago
Excelente, muy bien expuesto y explicado!
Since then, Louis has collaborated with major brands such as Yamaha and Adobe. His pictures have appeared in numerous exhibitions and publications. They also feature in the credits of the series Tell Me Your Secrets and gave birth to his book, Dreams in Technicolor.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Creative Inspirations
- U2
Atmosphere and Universe
- Cinematic Photography
- Image Theory
- Color Theory
- U3
Technique and Photography
- The Creative Process
- The Artistic Direction
- Equipment
- Taking a Picture
- U4
Editing in Adobe Lightroom
- The Basic Tools
- Removing Flaws and Shading
- Cropping and Adjusting Grain
- Presets and Exports
- Showcasing Your Work
- FP
Final project
- Photography and Darkness: Create Cinematic Portraits
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.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is mainly designed for intermediate photographers looking to deepen their skills in creating cinematic moods and mastering composition, lighting, and artistic direction techniques.
A digital or film camera is recommended, but you don’t need a professional model. Some exercises can be adapted to various equipment types, including the Sony a6300.
You’ll learn how to craft cinematic atmospheres, use lighting effectively, direct models, experiment with double exposure, master composition, and develop your own photographic style.
The course covers creating cinema-inspired visual moods, managing light, using color, directing models, composing shots, editing, and sharing photo series.
Accessories like light sources, colored backdrops, vintage objects, or decorative elements are recommended to enhance storytelling and the mood of your photo scenes.
By adjusting the angle, height, and intensity of your lights and using specific colors, you can heighten drama and boost the emotional impact of your images.
Yes, you’ll learn how to use urban lights, reflections, and neon to create a cinematic vibe, especially for outdoor night shoots.