A curated list of free, reputable online video tutorials for learning studio lighting and flash photography from the ground up. Everything below is genuinely free to watch (mostly YouTube and free-to-access learning centres). Organised so you can start with fundamentals and work toward more advanced setups.
Last compiled: 6 August 2026.
The Godox V1 is a round-head TTL/HSS speedlite with built-in wireless (X-system) triggering — the round head gives softer falloff than a standard rectangular speedlite and takes the magnetic accessory system (grids, gels, diffusers). The tutorials below go from basic controls up to full studio setups.
Godox V1 Flash Tutorial (Beginner Friendly + Super Simple Setup) A no-jargon walkthrough for anyone overwhelmed by the V1's buttons — covers just enough to get a usable setup fast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAGxVKWKdVQ
Godox V1 Mid Flash Setup Tutorial | TTL, Wireless & Menu Settings Explained Full menu tour: TTL vs. manual, wireless master/slave grouping, and the settings you actually need day to day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU4eN0VH5Pk
Basic Functions of the Godox V1 Straightforward run-through of core functions and setting the V1 up as a wireless master for other Godox lights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLZcxuKwiWs
Godox V1 Round-Head Speedlite Tips and Tricks | Did You Know? Lesser-known features and shortcuts once you're past the basics — worth watching after the setup videos above. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbqJ6TGHfxU
Get Started With Flash — Beginner's Guide to Godox/Flashpoint Lights & Camera Settings Broader beginner primer on Godox flash (Flashpoint is the US rebrand) paired with the camera-side settings — good companion to the V1-specific videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al7uzPhYO_s
How to Use the Godox V1 Flash — Trigger, Sync, and More (free ~50-min mini-course) A free, in-depth written/video course covering triggering, sync speed, and practical use. https://kelleyhoaglandphotography.com/how-to-use-the-godox-v1-flash/
Godox Flashes — YouTube playlist An ongoing playlist covering triggers, flash settings, and real-world Godox setups (V1, AD200, X2T trigger, etc.). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyBjgg0NvOrMmXc8oHa44wajTYkzqXJcf
Fstoppers — Round Heads Are All the Rage: Reviewing the Godox V1 Not a step-by-step tutorial, but a thorough hands-on review explaining why the round head design changes portrait light quality — useful context before building a V1-based setup. https://fstoppers.com/review/round-heads-are-all-rage-fstoppers-reviews-godox-v1-385330
Notes on going further with the V1: - Off-camera: the V1 can act as both an on-camera flash and as the wireless trigger/master for other off-camera Godox lights (e.g. AD200), so one V1 can control a full multi-light setup. - High-Speed Sync (HSS): in the flash's Sync menu, select the "H" (HSS) icon to sync above your camera's normal max sync speed — useful for wide-aperture fill-flash outdoors. - Modifiers: the round head accepts Godox's magnetic accessory ring (grids, gels, diffuser dome) directly, and adapts well to standard softboxes/umbrellas via a speedlite bracket for a larger, softer source.
OnSet with Daniel Norton (AdoramaTV) A weekly series where a working advertising/editorial photographer walks through practical lighting setups in plain language — one-light portraits, strobe vs. constant light, "go-to" setups, and flash. Excellent for seeing why a light goes where it does, not just copying a diagram. Deep back catalogue, all free. https://www.adorama.com/alc/series/onset-daniel-norton
Gavin Hoey (AdoramaTV) Very beginner-friendly presenter who favours affordable gear and small home studios. Great if you're building a setup on a budget. Free episodes on the Adorama Learning Center and YouTube. https://www.adorama.com/alc/host/gavin-hoey/
Mark Wallace — Studio Lighting for Beginners (three-light setup) A clear, canonical explanation of the classic three-light setup (key, fill, and separation/hair or background light) that underpins most studio work. A good conceptual foundation before you experiment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88ekW-M7o48
The Slanted Lens Long-running channel with a large library of free lighting tutorials covering portrait, product, and cinematic looks. Strong on lighting patterns and hands-on demonstrations. https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSlantedLens/videos
Karl Taylor / Visual Education A commercial studio photographer with a full working studio. Mix of free and paid, but the free videos are substantial — beauty lighting, product and bottle photography, and lighting-technique breakdowns. Best for understanding professional-grade control of light. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZajtzLoD3nxn2G9ripCjPg
Getting Started with Studio Lighting A ground-up introduction to strobes, modifiers, and how to build your first setup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReCsnOYPnoo
SIMPLE Studio Lighting for Beginner Photographers Strips studio lighting back to the essentials so you're not overwhelmed by gear. Good confidence-builder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d2_gGtiPE4
Studio Lighting Fundamentals for Extraordinary Portraits Focuses on the principles behind flattering portrait light — light quality, direction, and falloff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VA6Y7ub6UE
Fstoppers — Free Portrait Lighting Tutorial (start to finish) A ~30-minute free tutorial taking a portrait from empty studio to finished image, so you see the whole decision-making process. https://fstoppers.com/originals/free-portrait-photography-lighting-tutorial-start-finish-364356
Intro to Flash Photography — OnSet with Daniel Norton The best free starting point for understanding flash: sync, power, balancing flash with ambient light, and modifiers. https://www.adorama.com/alc/episode/intro-to-flash-photography-onset-with-daniel-norton/
Advanced Flash Photography — OnSet with Daniel Norton The natural next step once the basics click — multi-light and more creative flash control. https://www.adorama.com/alc/episode/advanced-flash-photography-onset-with-daniel-norton/
Rob Hall — Complete Flash Tutorial (via Fstoppers) A free, progressive series that takes off-camera flash beginners from balancing a single light indoors to using multiple lights outdoors. Broken into short, digestible lessons. https://fstoppers.com/education/complete-flash-tutorial-free-405249
The Digital Process — Off-Camera Flash for Beginners A clear free tutorial on getting your flash off the camera (via cord or wireless trigger) and why it transforms your results. https://www.thedigitalprocess.com/off-camera-flash-photography-for-beginners/
Chris Bray Photography — Camera Flash Basics Practical fundamentals: filling shadows, achieving black backgrounds, and creative fill-flash. Good quick reference. https://chrisbrayphotography.com/tips/flash_basics.php
SLR Lounge — Studio Lighting Tutorials (free resource list) A curated hub of free studio lighting lessons and articles, including breakdowns of the common key-light patterns (loop, Rembrandt, split, etc.). https://www.slrlounge.com/studio-lighting-tutorials-free/
Studio-Lighting.com Free, structured studio-lighting lessons aimed at teaching professional technique without cost. https://www.studio-lighting.com
Improve Photography — Flash Photography Crash Course A step-by-step written series (with visuals) covering flash basics in order — useful to read alongside the videos above. https://improvephotography.com/flash-photography-basics/
Tip: The fastest progress comes from recreating one setup at a time and changing a single variable (light position, power, or modifier) so you can see exactly what each change does.
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