Studio - Lighting Styles

Lighting Styles

There are 7 main lighting styles that are used in Studio photography and I'm going to look at them in this post. 

REMBRANDT lighting is achieved by placing a single main or ‘key light’ at a high angle, approximately 45 degrees from the model or subject.  The model turns away from the light slightly, so that one half of the face is shadowed, with a triangle of light on the far cheek, just under the eye.   The shadow side can be lightened by using a ‘fill light’ roughly half the strength of the main or key light, or by using a reflector on the far side of the model. 

This is what a basic 'Rembrandt' lighting set up would look like: 

SPLIT lighting uses one strong light positioned directly to one side of the model to create a dramatic portrait, where one side of the face is lit and the other is completely in shadow.  Split lighting is usually used with the subject facing square to the camera. It is a moody ‘accent’ lighting option and is often used when a dramatic feel to the image is required. 

This is what a basic 'Split' lighting set up would look like: 

BROAD lighting - The subject is posed such that the main light is directed at the side of the face that is closest to the camera.  This can sometimes add weight to the face and may be unflattering in some instances, but would be an ideal style of lighting for a thin model. 

This is what a basic 'Broad' lighting set up would look like: 

SHORT lighting in basic terms is where the side of the models face that is furthest from the camera, gets the main light.  The side of the face closest to the camera will get less light.  This lighting set up may slim the face. 

This is what a basic 'Short' lighting set up would look like: 

BUTTERFLY lighting – positioning your main/key light with a Softbox directly in front of the models face, but raised to above head height, creates a butterfly lighting effect – a soft shadow under the nose and/or cheekbones.  It can be softened with a ‘fill’ light or by the model holding a reflector, making this a very glamorous beauty light for women. 

This is what a basic 'Butterfly' lighting set up would look like: 

LOOP lighting – To create this effect you would adjust the main/key light so that the shadow of the nose forms a little loop under the models cheek.  This is an alternate to ‘butterfly’ lighting, is easy to create and suits most faces. 

This is what a basic 'Loop' lighting set up would look like: 

RIM lighting is achieved by positioning a rim light behind the model (must not be visible) and facing the camera so that it illuminates the edges of the model, visually separating it from the background and emphasising the models shape.  Due to the highlight around the hairline, this is also known as HAIR lighting. 

This is what a basic 'Rim or Hair' lighting set up would look like: 

PARAMOUNT lighting is a combination of all of the above lighting styles.  It is also sometimes referred to as Butterfly as it often leaves a shadow under the nose.