One-Day Workshop. Bristol. September 2026.
Flash Lighting Masterclass
You know the principles. Now it is time to use them. A full day in the studio: shooting, experimenting, and leaving with setups you can reproduce anywhere.
Register Your InterestBook a free 15-minute chat to secure your place
"Flash Fundamentals gives you the principles. This day gives you the practice."Marcus Ahmad
What this is
Hands-on flash photography in a real working studio
The free Flash Fundamentals series covers the six principles that underpin everything. This masterclass is what comes next: a full day shooting in the studio, working through those principles with your hands, with feedback on every frame.
Maximum four people means you get proper attention, not a seat in a crowd. You will also leave with a set of tethered headshots taken during the day. Every setup you try is one you can recreate in your own space, because we are working in exactly the kind of compact studio most photographers actually have.
The day
What we cover
10:00
A short history of flash
Where flash came from, how it evolved, and why understanding that history makes you better at using it today. Nobody else teaches this.
10:15
The six principles in context
The same six principles apply whether you are a beginner or shooting commercially. We put them into real-world context so they stop being theory and start being instinct.
10:45
Gear: what to buy and how not to waste your money
An honest look at flash equipment across different budgets. What makes a real difference, what is marketing, and how to get the best results without spending a fortune.
11:45
On and off camera flash for events, weddings and groups
Getting consistent, natural-looking flash when you are on the move. Handling groups, receptions, and unpredictable light without the images looking like a camera club photo.
12:30
Lunch
13:15
Studio flash: beauty dish vs softbox
Two of the most useful light shapers, compared side by side. When to use each one, what they do to a face, and how to get the most from them in a small space.
14:00
One light with reflectors, bounce cards and fill
How far you can push a single light source using simple tools. Keeping setups lean, fast and reproducible without a second flash head.
14:45
Troubleshooting common problems
Hotspots, colour casts, sync speed issues, shadows in the wrong place. Most problems have a quick fix once you know what to look for.
15:15
Tethered headshot session: everyone shoots everyone
Each person takes the camera. Each person sits in front of it. Images go straight to the screen so the whole group can see and learn from every shot. You leave with a set of studio headshots taken on professional kit.
16:15
Wrap up, questions and what to do next
A clear plan for practising what you have learned, questions answered, and recommendations for where to go from here.
Who it is for
You are ready for this if...
- You attended Flash Fundamentals and want to take it further
- You shoot in manual and understand the exposure triangle, but flash still feels unpredictable
- You have been experimenting with flash at home but cannot consistently get the results you want
- You want someone to watch you shoot, see what is going wrong, and fix it on the spot
The studio
A real space. Not a show studio.
The masterclass runs in my Bristol studio, a compact, fully equipped working space. That is deliberate. Most photographers are not shooting in vast commercial studios. They are working in a spare room, a garage, or a small hired space. Everything we do on the day is designed to be reproduced in exactly that kind of environment.
18 Montgomery Street, Bristol BS3 4SE.
The details
Everything you need to know
Date
Wednesday 9 September 2026
Time
10am to 5pm
Price
£275 per person
Places
Maximum 4
Location
Bristol Studio, BS3 4SE
Level
Beginner to intermediate flash
Your host
Marcus Ahmad
Marcus is a Bristol-based commercial and branding photographer with 15 years of teaching experience, including as a Senior Lecturer in Fashion and Advertising Photography. He holds a PGCE (Level 7) and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He co-hosts the Commercial Photographer Podcast and runs masterclasses from his Bristol studio.
Four places. One day. Book a chat.
Register your interest and we will have a quick 15-minute call to make sure this is the right fit before you commit.
Register Your InterestFree 15-minute call. No obligation.