Portrait Lighting

Rembrant Lighting

This technique uses one reflector and one light. It is used to create images in which appear natural, yet intriguing while using minimal equipment. The subject is positioned in front of the camera. The reflector is on one side of the subject, while the light is placed on the opposite side. This is done in order to create a balanced, triangular light source in which can illuminate under the eye on the darker side of the subject's face. The idea is to create a small triangle of light on the darker side of the subject's face. To achieve this appearance, you will need one light and one stand or one main light source, one camera, one reflector, one tripod (optional), and one backdrop (optional).

Examples

Split Light

Split lighting is one of the most simple techniques. This lighting technique is used to add drama to a portrait. One half of the subject's face is in light, while the other half is in shadows or is completely dark. The light is evenly divided over the subject's face. It creates deeper shadows and almost accentuates the power that the model holds. To achieve this appearance, you must position the light at a 90 degree angle from the model with the camera in front of the model. You will need one light and stand or one main light source,  one camera, one tripod (optional), and one backdrop (optional).

Examples

Broad Light

Broad lighting is the opposite as short lighting. In broad lighting, the side of the face in which is getting the most light, is the side that is facing towards the camera. This technique is great for correctional photography as it will deemphasize facial features. For this lighting technique, you will need one camera, one light and stand or one main light source, one reflector, one tripod (optional), and one backdrop (optional). The camera will be in front of the subject, while the light will be next to the camera, facing diagonally towards the subject. The reflector must be on the opposite side of the subject as the light, so that it can bounce the light back towards the subject's face. The subject's face should be positioned slightly away from the camera, in the direction of the reflector.

Examples

Short Light

Short lighting is the opposite of broad lighting. Instead of illuminating the side of the face that is towards the camera, it illuminates the side facing away. This lighting is used to give the subject a more slender appearance. For this lighting technique, you will need one light and stand or one main light source, one camera, one tripod (optional), and one backdrop (optional). The camera will be positioned in front of the subject, while the light will be directly next to the subject. The subject's face should be angled slightly towards the light. The camera, subject and the light should be set up in such a way that a 90 degree angle can be formed by tracing a line from the light to the subject, and from the subject to the camera. 

Examples

Butterfly Light

Butterfly lighting was the staple lighting technique for photographers in the 1930's. It was named after the butterfly shaped shadow that appears under the subject's nose. This lighting technique is very common, although it compliments subjects with lean faces with high cheek bones the most. You will need one light and stand or one main light source, one reflector, one camera, one tripod (optional), and one backdrop (optional) to achieve this lighting technique. The camera will be positioned in front of the subject, while the light is behind and above the camera facing down, directly into the subject's face. The reflector will be under the subject's face, bouncing the light up into the lower portions of the face. 

Examples

Loop Light

Loop lighting is one of the most common techniques as it is flattering on most subjects. The term 'loop lighting' was derived from the small shadow under the subject's nose that is shaped like a loop. For loop lighting, you will need one light and stand or one main light source, one camera, one tripod (optional), and one backdrop (optional). This lighting technique is very similar to butterfly lighting in how it is set up. The light is raised above the subject's head and angled downward, although it is moved to the side. The only other difference between loop lighting and butterfly lighting is that butterfly lighting uses a reflector, while loop lighting does not. 

Examples

Three-Point Light

Three-point lighting is essentially what it reads as- three different light sources. The purpose of this technique is so that the photographer can control shadows and balance the contrast of their image. For three-point lighting, you will need three lights (key light, fill light, and back light), three light stands, one camera, one tripod (optional), and one backdrop (optional). The key light is the main light- it is the most influential. It will need to be place to one side of the subject, so that the facial features have some shadow. The fill light is the secondary light. It is usually not as bright or strong as the key light, and is used to fill in any deep shadows in order to create a softer looking image. The back light is placed behind the subject. It is used to create soft highlights and provides definition of the subject. It helps separate the subject from the background. 

Examples

Silhouette Light

Silhouette lighting uses all backlighting. Silhouette photography usually does not have much detail about the subject, aside from the general outline. In order to achieve a successful silhouette photo, the background needs to be lighter than the subject. This technique is used to create a more dramatic image, and the image is often understood as an ambiguous, anonymous figure. For this technique, you will need one light and stand or one main light source, one camera, one tripod (optional), and one backdrop (optional). The subject should be positioned in front of the light or light source. The camera should take the photo positioned in front of the subject.

Examples

Split Lighting: In Class Collaboration