Radiant Moments: Viltrox Natural Light Portrait In-Person Class in NYC

"Where Soft Sunlight Meets Precision Optics and Creative Vision"

Written on May 15th, 2025 – Viltrox Team

We’re thrilled to share highlights from our recent Viltrox Photography Creative Class at Daylight Studio in New York City! Under the guidance of Viltrox Ambassador Francisco (@fjhphoto) and host @daylight, this in-person session immersed attendees in the art of natural-light portraiture. From mastering golden-hour glow to unlocking pro-level lens techniques, every participant left with fresh inspiration, refined skills, and gallery-ready images.

March 23, 2025

Natural Light Portrait Class: A Bright Success

Our New York gathering brought together aspiring and seasoned photographers for a day of hands-on shooting beneath sprawling studio skylights. With AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE/Z and AF 35mm F1.2 LAB FE primes in hand, everyone explored how subtle shifts in sunlight, reflector placement, and lens choice translate to emotive, luminous portraits.

"Why Natural Light Portraiture Shines"

Natural light portraiture is more than just flattering—they’re stories told through softness, contrast, and color temperature. Attendees discovered how to: 

  • Harness ambient glow, from diffused north-light to directional sunbeams, for mood and depth. 
  • Control contrast with simple modifiers—reflectors, scrims, and flags—without sacrificing authenticity.
  • Leverage prime optics, using the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB’s expansive field of view and the AF 135mm F1.8 LAB  ’s dreamy compression to sculpt subjects against airy backgrounds. 

"Meet the Pro: Francisco’s Expert Touch"

Francisco (@fjhphoto), our Viltrox Ambassador and NYC-based portrait specialist, led dynamic live demos: 

  • Golden-hour simulation with continuous LED panels and daylight-balanced strobes, teaching how to match ambient and flash for seamless blends. 
  • Lens selection workflow, showing when to reach for the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB FE for environmental storytelling versus the AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE/Z for tight, emotive headshots. 
  • Hands-on critiques, guiding participants on focus placement, skin-tone rendition, and compositional balance in a natural-light context. 

"Attendee Highlights: Real-Time Wins & Takeaways"

Our dedicated community lit up the studio: 

  • Captured contest winners, earning Viltrox gear vouchers and limited-edition swag for standout images.
  • Compiled instant portfolios, with every participant walking away with at least five polished frames—ready for social or client review. 
  • Participated in group critiques, exchanging feedback under Francisco’s mentorship and forging new creative connections. 

"Lens Showcase: AF 135 mm F1.8 & AF 35 mm F1.2 in Daylight"

Featured at our NYC class were two powerhouse primes: 

  • AF 35mm F1.2 LAB FE: Ultra-wide aperture for dreamy environmental portraits, exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, and beautiful bokeh. 
  • AF 135 mm F1.8 LAB FE/Z: A portraitist’s dream—superb subject isolation, minimal chromatic aberration, and a silky focus ring for intuitive manual adjustments. 
  • Guests tested both lenses under diffused skylights and direct shafts of sun, observing how each optic renders skin tones, textures, and highlights. 

🏅Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE wins Red Dot Design Award 2025

Our flagship prime lens clinched the coveted Red Dot Design Award for its seamless fusion of form and function:

  • Ergonomic metal barrel paired with a tactile focusing ring for intuitive manual adjustments. 
  • Sleek, matte finish reflecting our LAB-series ethos—precision, minimalism, and durability. 
  • Streamlined internal focus mechanism maintains consistent handling and balance at any focal setting. 

🔭 Looking Ahead: Bright Horizons for Viltrox Creatives

Our NYC natural-light masterclass is just the beginning. We’re committed to: 

  • Launching new in-person sessions across major cities, each with unique lighting themes—studio strobes, urban nightscapes, and more. 
  • Expanding our ambassador program, featuring top pros who bring fresh perspectives and localized expertise. 
  • Growing the Viltrox community, fostering peer-to-peer learning and showcasing member work through monthly online galleries. 

Stay tuned for upcoming dates and themes—you won’t want to miss where the light will take us next! 

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