Portrait Light Basics and Vocabulary

Rembrandt Light

1. What effect does it create?
This lighting creates a small triangle on the cheek of the subject, opposite the side where the light is located.

2. Why use it?
This lighting should be used when looking for a dramatic look. 

3. How many lights or light sources?

This lighting only uses a single light source. 

Split Light

1. What effect does it create?
This creates a split on the face, with half of the face lit and the other half shadowed. 

2. Why use it?
This can be used to create a split personality or dramatic look. 

3. How many lights or light sources?
This light pattern requires only one light on either the right or left side of the face. 

Broad Light 

1. What effect does it create?

The lighting creates a little bit of mystery with the small portion of the face that is hidden, or in shadow. 

2. Why use it?

This lighting can be used to either light most of the face, or hide a small portion of it. 

3. How many lights or light sources?

This lighting pattern uses only one source of light, with the larger portion of the subjects face, facing the light. 

Butterfly Light

1. What effect does it create?

This lighting creates a shadow under the nose and chin. 

2. Why use it?

This lighting can be used to hide the neck, or portions of the face that are not wanted to be seen. 

3. How many lights or light sources?

This lighting only uses one source of light, placed higher than the subjects head, but can also be combined with other light sources to lessen the shadows under the chin.


Loop Light

1. What effect does it create?

The effect of this type of lighting is to light the majority of the face and leave a very small portion on the side of the face shadowed. 

2. Why use it?

This can be used for a unique type of look, because it varies from that of the classic types of lighting. 

3. How many lights or light sources?

One light source is used for this type of lighting, a little to the side of the subjects face. 

Types of Lights and Concepts Definitions: 

Fill light- light used to soften shadows

Key light- main source of light in a photograph

Hair light-  accent used to light the top of the head, sometimes a back light with delusions of grandeur and fancy-colored gels.

Background light- light set up behind subject to create separation from the background

Shadowless- a photo that is completely lit, and has no shadows

Hard light- type of light that cast strong, well defined shadows

Soft light- creates shadows with soft edges

Grey card- a 18% reflectance card used instead of a subject for a reflected light meter reading 

Reflector- reflective surface used to redirect light 

Diffuser- device that spreads the light out evenly, and reduces harsh shadows 

Intensity- The "strength" of the incident light independent of subject reflectivity

2:1 lighting ratio- the ratio of key light plus fill vs. fill light only

Five Characteristics of Light Definitions:

Direction: Where is the light coming from—the front, the side, or behind?

Intensity: How bright is each light source?

Color: What color is the light—white, red, blue…?

Contrast: Is the transition from the highlights to the shadows subtle or sudden?

Hardness: What do the edges of the shadows look like?