Lighting is one of the most important elements of photography, especially when it comes to portraits. How you use light can create different effects on the mood, expression, and shape of your subject. In this article, you will learn about some common lighting patterns and how they affect your portraits.
Split lighting is when you position your light source at a 90-degree angle to your subject, creating a clear division of light and shadow on their face. This lighting pattern can create a dramatic and edgy look, emphasizing the contours and textures of your subject. Split lighting can also convey a sense of mystery or tension, as it hides half of the face in darkness. You can use split lighting to create contrast and interest in your portraits, but be careful not to overdo it, as it can also create harsh shadows and highlight flaws.
This type of lighting is great for stylized, dramatic portrait shoots. Pair this lighting with another light on the other side and slightly behind your subject to create a small rim of light around the shadow side to make them stand out from the background! Be careful using this lighting setup on any portrait shoots where you want to be able to clearly see all of your subject's face.
Split lighting is often used to convey a sense of mystery, mood, or even a touch of unease in portrait or storytelling photography. Split lighting can add depth and dimension to a subject, highlighting specific facial features or creating a visually captivating composition. This technique is particularly useful when you want to create a strong sense of symmetry or when you're aiming for a bold and high-contrast look in your photographs.
Loop lighting is when you place your light source slightly above and to the side of your subject, creating a small shadow under their nose that looks like a loop. This lighting pattern is one of the most popular and flattering for portraits, as it creates a natural and balanced look. Loop lighting can enhance the shape and features of your subject, without creating too much shadow or highlight. You can use loop lighting to create a friendly and approachable impression in your portraits, as it suits most face shapes and expressions.
Butterfly lighting is when you position your light source directly above and in front of your subject, creating a shadow under their nose that resembles a butterfly. This lighting pattern can create a glamorous and elegant look, emphasizing the eyes and cheekbones of your subject. Butterfly lighting can also smooth out wrinkles and blemishes, creating a soft and flattering effect. You can use butterfly lighting to create a classic and sophisticated impression in your portraits, especially for women and children.
I love using this lighting for portrait photo shoots where I'm trying to show the beauty of my subject. This could be headshots, modeling portfolios, senior pictures, etc. You'll want the light high enough that there is shadow under the jawline, nose, and potentially cheekbones if your subject's features are sharp enough, but do not go so high as to lose the catchlight's in your subject's eyes or cast shadows on their eyes. Catchlights are the little reflections of your light source you see in a person's eyes. It is crucial in my opinion that there are catchlights in your subjects eyes or they will look lifeless.
Rembrandt lighting is named after the famous painter who used this technique in his portraits. It is when you place your light source at a 45-degree angle to your subject, creating a triangle of light on the cheek opposite the light source. This lighting pattern can create a dramatic and artistic look, highlighting the shape and expression of your subject. Rembrandt lighting can also convey a sense of depth and dimension, as it creates a contrast between light and shadow. You can use Rembrandt lighting to create a powerful and captivating impression in your portraits, especially for men and older people.
Broad lighting is when you place your light source on the same side as the part of the face that is closest to the camera, creating more light on the larger part of the face. This lighting pattern can create a bright and open look, making the face appear wider and more round. Broad lighting can also hide imperfections and shadows, creating a smooth and even effect. You can use broad lighting to create a cheerful and friendly impression in your portraits, especially for people with narrow or long faces.
Sometimes I prefer this lighting on large groups in the studio as it lights up the whole group quite well and hides imperfections.
Short lighting is the opposite of broad lighting. It is when you place your light source on the opposite side of the part of the face that is closest to the camera, creating more light on the smaller part of the face. This lighting pattern can create a dark and mysterious look, making the face appear narrower and more angular. Short lighting can also accentuate the shape and features of the face, creating a dramatic and striking effect. You can use short lighting to create a serious and intense impression in your portraits, especially for people with round or wide faces.
This type of lighting is great for adding drama to a person’s face. It forces the viewer to look deeper into the image. It has been shown that people go to the brightest spot of the image when looking at it first, so naturally this type of lighting is great to pull them. One thing to note this will leave the opposite side of the face in shadow so make sure you have a fill light to bump up the shadow. Too much contrast from lit side to the other is very harsh!
Short lighting is a photographic lighting technique that involves illuminating the side of the subject facing away from the camera. This technique creates a visually striking effect by emphasizing shadows and contouring the subject's features. Short lighting is particularly useful for adding depth and dimension to portraits, as it can make subjects appear slimmer and more sculpted. It's commonly employed in situations where you want to emphasize strong facial features or create a more dramatic and moody atmosphere. This technique is often used in fashion photography, portrait photography, and to convey a sense of mystery or intensity in storytelling images.
I shoot FIRST. This is the prime objective for me. I like to be creative... so I will do any necessary adjustments in RAW post-production.
Being able to light is the most basic yet most without doubt the most important skill a photographer should possess. If you can’t light then you shouldn’t be calling yourself a photographer. Being able to create the look and feel your client needs in any given situation is what your client is one of the reasons a client is paying you, that lighting may be natural, ambient artificial, continuous photographic or flash, regardless you must have understanding and control of it.
I like to use filters and make adjustments in post, use what is given and be creative. Natural light has great advantages early or late in the day, Evan portraits can be fantastic, in raw always.
For portrait photography, it is essential to have a strong grasp of lighting concepts, whether using natural or artificial sources. Being comfortable with the tools you use allows you to focus on making your subject comfortable, which will make for a more pleasing portrait.
There are a million options for lighting and one should mess around with them all to build a technical ability to use them. This way, when you have a paid client in front of the camera, you will be able to adjust lighting for the goal of the portrait. I prefer using even front light for beauty portraits that highlight a clients expression. I also use a key-fill-kick for lighting situations where the client wants to look cool or has a more angular face. Both of these lighting setups are designed to highlight a person’s expression, which is the heart and soul of a portrait.