Most beginner photographers assume great studio portraits need a complicated multi-light setup. Les-Lee Lesch's simple one-light session shows otherwise. Working in her home studio with a Godox MS200V strobe, a translucent white umbrella, a silver reflector, and warm Orenji Sunrise seamless paper, she produces clean, well-lit portraits with gear that is within reach of anyone starting out.
This is a setup that teaches. One light and one reflector make you understand how light direction, shadow fill, and modifier choice work together before you add complexity. Get this right, and every more advanced setup you build later will make sense.
Video: Simple One-Light Studio Setup for Beginners, Les-Lee Lesch.
TL;DR
One light: a Godox MS200V at 1/16 power through a 101cm translucent shoot-through umbrella, placed slightly to the side to build gentle shadow. Fill: a Godox RFT-07 110cm reflector, silver side, underneath the subject, bouncing light back into the shadows without a second light. Backdrop: CameraStuff No.35 Orenji Sunrise seamless paper. Exposure: ISO 250, 1/60 second, f/5.0 on a 50mm f/1.8 lens. The goal: learn light direction, shadow control, and modifiers with the minimum gear.
Why One Light Is Enough When It Is Set Up Right
The instinct to add lights when something looks off is understandable, but usually backwards. Until you know what each light is doing, adding more just adds confusion. A single-light setup removes the variables. Every shadow and highlight comes from one light, so if the image does not look right, there is only one thing to adjust: its position, angle, modifier, or distance from the subject.
A translucent umbrella is one of the most beginner-friendly modifiers for a reason. It is large, it spreads the strobe into a broad, soft source, and it forgives imprecise positioning. Because the light passes through the fabric towards the subject, the whole umbrella becomes the light source, which suits flattering skin rendering in portraits.
The silver reflector is not a second light. It has no power source. It redirects some of the key light back into the shadow areas, reducing the difference between the lit and unlit sides of the face. The result is a balanced look that does not need heavy shadow fixing in post.
Principles of light direction and modifiers in photography, per Photographic lighting.
How Les-Lee Built the Shoot
The Light: MS200V with a Translucent Umbrella, Off to the Side
Les-Lee uses the Godox MS200V as her only light, shooting through a 101cm translucent umbrella. Placed slightly to the side of the subject rather than straight in front, it creates a gentle directional shadow that adds shape to the face. Straight-on light flattens features; the off-axis angle keeps the contours while the umbrella keeps the light soft and approachable.
Power is not a problem. Les-Lee shot these portraits at just 1/16 of the MS200V's 200Ws. In a small studio, the size and position of the modifier shape the light far more than the power figure.
The Reflector: Shadow Fill Without a Second Light
The setup image shows the Godox RFT-07 110cm reflector underneath the subject, angled up to catch light from the umbrella and bounce it back into the shadows under the chin and eyes. The silver surface gives a brighter, crisper return than white, opening the shadows without making the light look flat. The shadow side still reads as shadow, just not as an empty dark area that needs fixing in post.
One light plus a reflector is a foundation of portrait photography. Learning how the reflector's angle and distance control the balance of fill and shadow is as useful a skill as placing the key light itself.
The Backdrop: Orenji Sunrise for Warmth and Character
The Orenji Sunrise seamless paper adds the mood. A neutral grey with this lighting would look technically correct but flat. The warm orange brings energy and personality without extra styling, and the soft umbrella light keeps the whole image cohesive rather than competing with a vivid background.
The Settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Light | Godox MS200V, 1/16 power |
| Modifier | 101cm translucent shoot-through umbrella |
| Fill | Godox RFT-07 110cm 5-in-1 reflector, silver side |
| Backdrop | CameraStuff No.35 Orenji Sunrise, 1.35m |
| Lens | 50mm f/1.8 |
| Exposure | ISO 250, 1/60 second, f/5.0 |
Light, lens, and exposure settings as shown in Les-Lee's annotated images.
Conrad's Advice: The MS200 and a decent umbrella is genuinely all you need to start. Don't buy a second light until you've exhausted what one light and a reflector can do. Most photographers rush past this stage and then wonder why their multi-light setups still look off. Learn the single source first.
"One light, one reflector, and a clean setup. Simple, affordable, perfect for learning how light works."Les-Lee Lesch, portrait photographer
Going Deeper: What This Setup Teaches
The MS200V as a Learning Tool
The Godox MS200V is a mains-powered strobe: plug it in, dial the power, and shoot. There are no batteries to charge. A 10W LED modelling lamp lets you preview the shadows before you take the shot, and the built-in wireless receiver works with Godox triggers such as the XT16, so you can change power from the camera.
Understanding the Light Ratio
The relationship between the lit side and the shadow side of the face is the lighting ratio. A 1:1 ratio means equal light on both sides: flat and directionless. A high ratio, like 4:1 or 8:1, gives deep, dramatic shadow. Many portraits sit around 2:1 or 3:1, with readable shape that is not too moody. The reflector controls that ratio here: move it closer for more fill, or further away for deeper shadow. Experiment with these positions before you ever buy a second light.
Choosing an Umbrella
A 101cm translucent umbrella is an inexpensive, lightweight first modifier, and it pairs well with a single strobe in a small room. Fit it through the strobe's umbrella holder, angle it towards the subject, and move it closer for softer light or further away for crisper shadows. Note that the MS-series mount does not support umbrellas larger than 120cm.
"The umbrella helps soften the light and spread it evenly across the subject. On the opposite side, I'm using a silver reflector. This bounces light back into the shadow and helps keep the face evenly lit without adding another light."Les-Lee Lesch, portrait photographer
What This Shoot Proves
Les-Lee's one-light session is a clear demonstration of the fundamentals. The MS200V provides reliable light at a fraction of its power. The 101cm umbrella makes it soft and flattering. The RFT-07 reflector controls the shadows without a second light, and the Orenji Sunrise backdrop sets the mood. Nothing in the setup is filler.
The bigger point is how to learn. Start with one light and understand it fully, including its angle, distance, modifier, and how it works with a reflector, and you build the instinct every advanced setup depends on.
The Full Setup
Everything Les-Lee used, available at CameraStuff.
Godox MS200V Specifications
| Specification | Godox MS200V |
|---|---|
| Flash power | 200Ws |
| Guide number | 53m (ISO 100) |
| Flash duration | 1/800 to 1/2000 second |
| Recycle time | 0.1 to 1.8 seconds |
| Colour temperature | 5800K ±200K |
| Modelling light | 10W LED, adjustable |
| Triggering | Button, sync cable, optical sensor, wireless radio |
| Built-in wireless receiver | Yes |
| Power input | 220V AC |
| Weight | 1.3kg |
As specified by the manufacturer, Godox, from our product listing.
Related Guides
About Godox
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Godox is an integrated company combining R&D, manufacturing, and sales. It provides one-stop imaging lighting solutions with a comprehensive product ecosystem for photography, videography, cinematic production, broadcasting, and other sectors within the imaging industry.
Its portfolio covers professional flashes, studio and portable lighting, LED lighting, audio equipment, cameras, photo printers, wireless control systems, and lighting accessories, supporting a wide range of creative and production needs worldwide.
Guided by its core values of innovation, integrity, rigor, pragmatism, and inclusiveness, Godox is committed to providing outstanding imaging, cinematic lighting, and audio solutions. The company continuously pursues technological breakthroughs with the goal of becoming a leading force in the industry.
CameraStuff has been an authorised Godox distributor in South Africa since 2018, backed by an official Letter of Authorization from Godox Global.
See All GodoxOne-Light Portrait FAQs
Is the Godox MS200V powerful enough for portrait work?
For a single subject in a small studio, yes. Les-Lee shot these portraits at just 1/16 power through a 101cm umbrella, at ISO 250 and f/5.0, which leaves plenty of headroom. If you need more for groups or large modifiers, the MS300V adds 100Ws, about half a stop more.
What is the difference between a shoot-through and a reflective umbrella?
With a shoot-through umbrella, the light passes through translucent fabric towards the subject, so the whole umbrella becomes a broad source that also spills light around the room. A reflective umbrella bounces light off a white or silver lining and keeps more of it pointed at the subject.
Do I need a wireless trigger for the MS200V?
It can be fired by its test button, a sync cable, its optical sensor, or wireless radio. For shooting on your own, a Godox wireless trigger such as the XT16 on your camera fires the strobe and adjusts power from the camera position. A sync cable is not included in the box.
How do I use a reflector to fill shadows from one light?
Place the reflector where it catches light from the key and sends it back into the shadows. Les-Lee placed hers underneath the subject. Move it closer for more fill and further away for deeper shadows, and use the silver side for a brighter fill or white for a softer one.
Where can I buy this setup in South Africa?
CameraStuff stocks the Godox MS200V, translucent umbrellas, the RFT-07 reflector, and the full CameraStuff seamless paper range including Orenji Sunrise, with free delivery on orders over R1000 and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Les-Lee Lesch
Guest Writer, Fashion and Portrait Photographer
Born in Oudtshoorn and inspired by her mother, photographer Nadine Lesch, Les-Lee began shooting at fifteen and earned her Professional Photography Diploma from The Photography Institute in 2019. Today she runs her studio from home in Worcester, Western Cape, creating warm, emotionally led portraits for families, individuals, and couples.
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