The most common lighting scheme is called "Rembrandt light". She received it in honor of the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn, who in most of his portraits used light, creating chiaroscuro on a person's face in the form of a triangular corner under the eye on the dark side of the face.
The strong contrast between dark and light areas creates volume. And since the artist is deservedly considered a master of light and shadow, his technique began to be used in portrait photography and, of course, became a classic.
How to Create Rembrandt Lighting
This kind of lighting can be created using one . It must be positioned at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, one and a half meters above the head of the model and about two meters in front of the camera.
Why about? Because partly depends on the light source used and the structure of the person's face. It is no secret that the eyes can be bulging or deep set.
To create the pictures used in this photography lesson, was taken studio flash with standard reflector, with the help of which rather hard (sharp) shadows were obtained. But it is quite possible to try to recreate the classic lighting model with a different light modifier. A reflector was also used, placed at a 45 degree angle to the flash, to highlight the shadows and not lose image detail in the shadows. In addition, a flag was used so that the light from the monoblock did not fall directly on the background.
The main mistake of portrait photographers when mastering the Rembrandt lighting scheme is that the eye from the side of the key light is completely illuminated. This indicates that the main light source was placed too low above the model.
Mistaken Rembrandt lighting
Therefore, through trial and error, try to move the light source higher, while maintaining the same position. studio rack .
If corrected correctly, you get a great Rembrandt scheme when light, touches the eyelids, forms a light triangle, but not wider than the eye and not longer than the nose. This triangle is called Rembrandt triangle.
The correct effect of the Rembrandt triangle
The intensity of the light source did not change, only the height and angle of incidence of the light were changed, but it is clearly seen that changing just one parameter affects the final result. To verify this, you must try to install the light yourself! More practice friends! Any theory is useful only if it is fixed by practice.
Effect
Although only one light source (perhaps with a reflector) is needed to create Rembrandt lighting, the scheme is effective in its simplicity and efficiency. The correct recreation of this scheme guarantees a beautiful and high-quality portrait. The scheme is especially good for photographing full or round faces. Due to the transition of light into shadow and hiding part of the face in the shadow, the face becomes visually elongated and a certain weight loss effect is obtained. That is why it is better not to use Rembrandt light for narrow faces, unless, of course, the task is to convey strong negative emotions that the model “experiences”, because the face will look haggard.
Some photographers believe that Rembrandt lighting is a template light for a male portrait and should therefore not be used in female portraits. But every rule of photography must be taken with a grain of salt and must be thoroughly tested. Rembrandt lighting is no exception! After all, even Rembrandt van Rijn himself used such light for female portraits.
Try also to increase the contrast effect of light and shadow by using additional lighting to make a spot of light in the background - to emphasize the dark side of the face, thus creating a sense of darkness and mystery.
As an example of an atypical use of classic lighting, you can take this photo, where you can see that a gray light background was taken for work, the light source was used with a softbox, the fill light was obtained using a reflector. The result is a wonderful light portrait of a child with the right classic Rembrandt lighting.
You should have a good understanding of how this effect works in order to start applying it with ease in everyday portrait shots, as in the example above, and also try to reproduce this lighting in various poses of the model.
In the following photography tutorials, we will look at other ways of lighting when portraits. Anyone who is just learning the skills of a studio portrait photography, you will need to familiarize yourself with them to improve your skills.
If you can understand these recommendations and learn how to implement them, this will be the beginning of your path to high results in portrait photography. In this article, we will look at the issue of lighting - what it is, and why it is so important to properly set the lighting.
Lighting can be defined as the play of light and shadow on the face, which ultimately creates a coherent image of the portrait. There are four main types of lighting in portrait photography, namely:
Split lighting;
loop lighting;
Lighting "Butterfly";
Lighting "Rembrandt";
Now let's look at each type of lighting separately. Let's highlight the features of lighting and find out when and what type is better to use.
Split lighting
The name says it all, split lighting divides the face into equal halves, one half is fully lit, the other half is in shadow. This type of lighting is most often used to create a dramatic image when photographing a musician or artist. It is believed that Split is a male version of lighting. The serious, strong image that the split gives to the shot is more suitable for male portraits than for female ones. Of course, there are no clear rules, and gender divisions into female light and male, all the information given in this article is given for review and reflection. It can only serve as a starting point, the final decision is yours.
To achieve the effect of split lighting, you need to place the light source 90 degrees to the left or right of the subject, so that it is placed slightly behind the head. Where exactly you place the light source depends on individual features faces. When exhibiting lighting fixtures watch how the light falls on the person. It may be that more light or shadow will fall on the eyes, in which case it is better to change the direction of the lamps, if the light falls on the cheeks, then all the equipment is set perfectly.
Note: in any light, the face can be in any position, it can be in a frontal position, in ¾, or even in profile. The most important thing is to keep an eye on the light source, which should be directed at the face in order to keep the photo illuminated. Keep in mind that if a person turns his head, then the light will fall differently. At the same time, if the technique is slightly inaccurate, then a slight turn of the head to one side or the other can fix everything.
What is a "glare"?
Take a look at the photo of the baby above. The light source used in the photo is reflected in the baby's eyes. This is what is called "flare". Without glare, the eyes will appear dark and lifeless. You should always make sure that there is at least one glare in the eyes. As a rule, it makes the eyes brighter, gives them shine and life.
loop lighting
Lighting is done by creating a small shadow on the nose, or cheeks. To achieve this effect, it is necessary to place the light source above eye level, at an angle of 30-45 degrees relative to the camera (the exact placement depends on the individual characteristics of the person).
Take a look at the image of the newlyweds above, notice how the shadows are falling, you can see a small shadow on the left cheek, falling from the nose. Otherwise, the face is evenly lit. The light source is located slightly above eye level, this creates soft shadows and pleasant illumination of the face. Loop lighting is perhaps one of the most common types of lighting, due to the fact that it does not require very precise settings, and suits almost all people, making them attractive in the picture.
In the diagram, the black box represents the trees in the background of the photo. The sun is behind the trees, the bride and groom are in the shade. The white reflector to the left of the camera is the light source that directs the reflected sun rays to the newlyweds. By changing the position of the reflector, the angle of its reflection and the height, it is possible to change the illumination of the image. For lighting the Loop, the angle should be 30-45 degrees from the camera. As mentioned earlier, the light source (in this case, the reflector) is above eye level, thanks to which the shadows fall smoothly, the darkest places on the face are in the corners of the mouth and near the nose. As practice shows, the main mistake of beginners is that they set the reflector too low.
Lighting "Rembrandt"
Lighting is named after the artist Rembrandt, who used this type of lighting in his paintings. Before you is a self-portrait of Rembrandt, and the distribution of light and shadow in the picture is the same as with the same type of lighting. In this case, a triangle of light falls on the face, approximately equal to the height of the nose and the width of the eyes. It is best to place the light source at the level of the cheeks, and it must be installed in such a way that the light falls on the eye located on the dark side, otherwise it will come out lifeless, there will be no shine in it. Rembrandt lighting is dramatic enough to be used when photographing men, or where drama is appropriate.
With Rembrandt lighting, the subject should turn slightly away from the light. The light source is located above the level of the head. The shadow from the nose falls on the lower part of the cheek. This type of lighting is not suitable for every face type. If a person has well-defined cheekbones and the face as a whole is very expressive, then Rembrandt-type lighting suits him, but if a person has a small nose and a flat bridge of the nose, it is better to choose a different type of lighting. If you are using a beam of light coming from a window, make sure that the light does not fall on the floor, if this happens, then cover the bottom of the window with a cloth so that the light comes from above and falls directly on the model. As in other cases, the choice of lighting is up to you and depends on the person you are shooting.
Butterfly type lighting
Butterfly type lighting, so named because the shadow formed under the nose resembles a butterfly in shape. When using this type of lighting, the light source is placed directly in front of the model's face, above eye level. The photographer shoots from below the light source. This type of lighting is often used for glamorous celebrity photo shoots, as it illuminates the face beautifully and makes it look thinner and longer. Also, butterfly lighting is suitable for shooting adults, because thanks to direct lighting it does not emphasize wrinkles and makes them more invisible.
As shown in the diagram, the light source is located behind the camera, above the eye level of the subject being photographed (depending on the shape of the person's face). Sometimes a reflector is also used, which is placed under the chin. People with pronounced cheekbones when shooting with Butterfly lighting will get a perfect image of their face. Round or wide faces will look more elongated and petite. To create the effect of "butterfly" is better suited professional studio lighting, sunlight, or flash light may not be enough to create the desired effect.
wide coverage
It's not so much a particular style of shooting, but the general manner of lighting. Almost any of the above lighting can be wide.
The subject's face is rotated slightly ¾ from where the camera is positioned. Such a small rotation creates a large area of illumination on the face, the shadow side is smaller. Wide lighting is sometimes used for high key portraiture. This type of lighting visually makes a person's face look wider, which gave the type of lighting its name. Due to its nature, lighting is best used when photographing a very thin person, or a person with a too long face to expand the face of the model. Most people want to appear slimmer, though, so be careful when choosing this type of shot, and never use it on chubby people.
To create a wide coverage, it is best to turn the face slightly away from the light source. The light falls well on most of the face, the shadow falls on the part of the face that is away from the camera. In short, you get the most light near the face.
short lighting
Short lighting is the opposite of wide lighting. As you can see in the example in which this type of lighting was used. The light source is placed from a more distant side, that is, that part of the face that is closer to the camera remains in shadow. Most often, short lighting is used when shooting with a low key, or for dark portraits. Such lighting gives the portrait a sculptural look, creates something like a 3D effect. Short lighting is good for slimming the face, which means it suits overweight people, or people with a round face.
The scheme is called Rembrandtian because Rembrandt's paintings often feature this type of lighting, as can be seen in his self-portrait above. Rembrandt lighting is defined by the presence of a light triangle on the cheek. In contrast to the loop light, where the shadow from the nose and cheek does not close, here they merge together, which creates a light triangle on the shadow side on the cheek under the eye. To create a correct scheme, you must make sure that there is a glare from the light source in the eye on the shadow side, otherwise the eyes will be "dead", without a pleasant shine. Rembrandt's lighting is more dramatic, as the chiaroscuro pattern creates a more restless mood in the portrait. Use it appropriately.
To create Rembrandt lighting, the model needs to be slightly away from the light. The source should be above the top of the head so that the shadow from the nose falls on the cheek. Not every face is suitable for this scheme. If it has high or prominent cheekbones, the scheme may work. If the model has a small nose or a flat nose bridge, this lighting can be difficult to achieve. Again, remember that you don't have to make this particular circuit with this particular model. Choose what will emphasize the advantages of the model and present it in the most beneficial way. Then the lighting will work as it should. If you are using a window as a light source and the light from the window hits the floor, you may need to cover the bottom of the window with a gobo or panel to achieve this type of lighting.
4. Butterfly pattern
This pattern is aptly named "butterfly" for the shape of the nose shadow that is created. if the light source is placed above and directly behind the camera. Basically, with this scheme, the photographer is under the light source. The "butterfly" scheme is often used to shoot glamor, emphasizing the cheekbones of the model. It is also suitable for photographing older people, since, unlike other schemes, it emphasizes wrinkles less.
The butterfly pattern is created by a light source just behind the camera and slightly above the eyes or head, depending on the type of face. Sometimes the scheme is supplemented with a reflector right under the chin, the model can even hold it herself. This scheme is suitable for models with beautiful cheekbones and a narrow face. A round or wide face will look better with a loop scheme or even side light. This pattern is more difficult to create with light from a window or reflector. Often, to make shadows more pronounced, a more powerful and directional light source, such as the sun or a flash, is needed.
In classic portrait photography, there are several fundamental principles of lighting that you need to know and control during the shooting process and understand which one to apply in order to convey the right mood, the right image or the most flattering presentation of the model in the portrait.
It is worth remembering these rules in order to easily follow them, and most importantly, to know when and how to break them. Learn these 6 rules and they will be your milestones on the road to great portrait photography. And do not forget that the best training is to mix theory with practice.
What are lighting modes in portrait photography? We can say that this is a play of light and shadow, which can change the perception and shape of the face. In simple terms, what shape the shadow will lie on the face depends on the method of lighting. There are four most common bases for human lighting:
- side lighting;
- classical lighting;
- Rembrandt lighting;
- butterfly.
In addition to the main 4 types, it is worth adding two additional modes that are more style elements and can be used simultaneously with the basic lighting modes in a portrait: these are wide and narrow lighting.
Let's look at each type of lighting separately.
1. Side lighting (Split Lighting)
In this mode, the light "breaks" the face into two equal halves, one of which is in the light, and the second in the shadow. This type of lighting is more suitable for men, it is often used when shooting portraits of musicians or artists, because it adds drama to the portrait. There are no hard and fast rules for which type of lighting to use, only recommendations based on average perception. You need to know these rules so that you can use them as a basic starting point.
To achieve this effect, you should put it 90 degrees to the left or right of the subject, and perhaps even a little behind the head. The location of the light in relation to the subject depends on the shape of the person's face. Watch how the light falls on the face and adjust accordingly. The light from the shadow side should only fall on the eyes and shape the face in such a way that the light-shadow border runs clearly in the middle. If, as you rotate around the person's face, you see that the light falls more on the cheek, it is possible that the model simply does not fit this scheme, in which there should be a perfect breakdown of the light.
NOTE. Keep in mind that in order to maintain a coherent lighting pattern, your light source must move depending on whether the model moves. Whether you're taking a frontal shot, ¾ of a face, or even a profile, the light has to "follow the pattern." If the model simply turns its head, the whole picture will change. You have to adjust the lighting by moving the source or slightly turning the model in the desired direction.
What is a glareand why is it needed?
Pay attention to the reflection of the actual light source in the model's eyes. Highlights look like white specks in the eyes of the child in the photo above. If you look closely, you can see the contours of the devices that were used when shooting the portrait.
For example, the photo shows a bright spot of a hexagon with a dark center. This is the light that was used -
This effect is called glare. Without a glare, the eyes of the model become dark and look unimpressive. When shooting, make sure that at least one eye captures the full glare. Note that the highlight also slightly changes the color of the iris and the brightness of the eyes in general, which enhances the feeling of vitality and adds sparkle to the eyes.
2. Classic lighting (Loop Lighting)
Such lighting is considered classical, which creates a small shadow from the nose on the cheeks, thus forming a light-shadow loop. To get this, you need to position it a little above eye level, and at about a 30-45 degree angle from the camera (depends on the person, you have to learn to read people's faces).
Look at this image and notice how the shadows are falling. On the left and right, small shadows near the nose can be seen. They are always left, just make sure that the shadow is slightly directed downwards. To do this, position the light source not too high, as this can lead to unwanted shadows on the face and loss of glare in the eyes of the models.
Classical lighting is considered the most popular lighting model for portrait photography because the pattern of light and shadows it creates is the best and brings out the best in most people.
In the diagram, a strip of trees is indicated by a black background, which is located behind a couple, while the sun hides behind the greenery. With the help, there was enough light on the faces. If you slightly change its position, you can choose different lighting options.
With the classical method of lighting, it is installed at an angle of 30-45 degrees. away from the camera and just above the models' eye level. This must be monitored so that the light-shadow loop does not touch the nasolabial fold. A common mistake among beginners is that the reflector is placed too low, illuminating the lower part of the face a lot, which creates an unflattering picture for the person being portrayed.
3. Rembrandt lighting
The lighting bears the name of the famous artist because Rembrandt often used such a pattern of light in his paintings. For example, in this self-portrait.
Lighting Rembrandt is identified with a triangle of light on the cheek. Unlike the lighting loop, where the shadows of the nose and cheeks should not be touched, in Rembrandt lighting you only need to get a small triangle of light in the middle of the cheek. When creating proper shadows, make sure that enough light falls on the eye in the shadow side of the portrait, otherwise it will look lifeless. Rembrandt lighting is considered dramatic, because due to the "split" in the chiaroscuro, a special mood is created in the portrait, which can contribute to the tragic expression of the face.
To create Rembrandt lighting, you need to turn the model slightly away from the light. The source should be located above the person's head so that the shadow from the nose falls down towards the cheek.
Not all faces are suitable for such a scheme. If the model has high or prominent cheekbones, Rembrandt lighting can produce interesting results. A small nose and a flat bridge of the nose will significantly complicate the work of the photographer and it is unlikely that the desired effect will be achieved. The use of this or that lighting scheme depends only on the model that is being shot and on the mood that the photographer wants to convey in the picture.
If you use light from a window that is closer to the floor, you can cover the bottom of the window to try and get Rembrandt type lighting.
4. Butterfly Effect (Butterfly Lighting)
Such lighting is aptly named "butterfly" or "butterfly" for a reason. With outlines of chiaroscuro, it resembles the shape of a butterfly, because it creates such shadows under the nose of the model that resemble wings. The main light source is placed higher and directly behind the camera. This scheme is often used for glamor photography, and it is also optimal when you are photographing older people, as it focuses less on wrinkles.
The butterfly effect is created by having a light source behind the camera and just above the subject's eyes. As additional equipment, sometimes a reflector is used, which is placed below the model's face to highlight the shadows under the model's chin. This lighting scheme is suitable for faces with pronounced cheekbones or objects with delicate features. For a round or wide face, it is better to use a standard (classic) lighting scheme or even Rembrandt type lighting.
The scheme is difficult to reproduce if only a light disk is available - then it will be difficult to cope with it without an assistant.
5. Wide coverage
Wide lighting is not a particular lighting scheme, but rather a shooting style. Any of the above light patterns can be captured using a wide or narrow lighting method.
Wide is such an option when the face of the object is slightly turned away from the center and light falls on most of it. The shadow side, respectively, will be smaller.
Wide lighting is sometimes used when shooting portraits in high key. This type of lighting visually slightly expands the face (hence the name). It is better to use for those who have a very narrow oval face, thin pointed features. Most people want to look slimmer in portraits, so be careful when photographing chubby faces. Simply put, wide lighting focuses on most of the face.
To create wide illumination, the model should be turned away from the light source. Note that on the side of the face that is closest to the camera, the light is just the right amount of light to form the correct shadows on the part of the model's face farthest from the camera.
6. Narrow lighting
This method is the opposite of wide coverage. As can be seen from the example, the model must be positioned in such a way that most of the face is in shadow. This technique is most often used when shooting portraits in a low key. At the same time, the faces become more sculpturally defined, which gives the image volume. This is a very flattering way of lighting for most people.
The face is turned towards the light source. Note that the part of the face that is turned away from the camera also has very significant shadows. Narrow lighting shows the viewer a shadow pattern that needs to be controlled.
Putting it all together
Once you learn to recognize and reproduce each of the different lighting patterns, you will understand how and when to apply them. Light and shadow are a very important tool for a photographer when shooting a portrait. Studying the faces of people, practicing, you will figure out which lighting schemes will be best for a particular type of face and convey a certain mood, you will find your own unique style.
Someone with a very round face will probably want to appear slimmer and will be happy if the portrait emphasizes the refinement of the face. You will be able to use correct scheme, if you will be faced with the task of removing anger or taking a group photo. When you learn how to read and recognize images, master the quality of light, be able to control the correct position of light sources and know the ratios and proportions, you will be perfectly prepared for professional work.
Learning to control light is much easier if the source can be moved. But the same lighting rules apply when the main light source is the Sun or a window. Having trained with, you will begin to involuntarily apply the rules of work with natural light and easily, the only difference is that you will not twist the source around the model, but rotate the model so as to get the lighting you need. You will have to move the model or change the position of the camera in order to change the direction of the light and use the shadows to create the image you want, but as practice shows, it's worth it!
artpaladin V
Every photographer knows that light is the main tool in creating a great portrait. Under the cut, I propose a simple classification of studio lighting schemes that will help you achieve the best results.
key light
The main and powerful light source that creates hard shadows (reflector with shutters) or soft shadows (diffuser, softbox, umbrella, reflector).fill light
Additional lighting sources with softboxes, diffusers, etc. You can also use reflectors, backlight, backlight for a fill effect. Often sashes are used so you can control which areas to light and which to leave in the dark.The order of exposure of light in the studio
First of all you have to set the background light and then set the back light. This order will allow you to see the effect produced by these lights. The next step is to install a fill and then a key light. It is also important to know what effect each of the light sources gives, for this, turn the flashes on and off one by one. And you will definitely get a result that will satisfy you.There are several types of lighting for the face of the model: wide light and short light (front, side, and their various options)
Wide light - full illumination of the side of the face facing the camera
Universally positioned key light for formal photography. A light source is placed near the camera to illuminate the side of the face facing the camera. The shadow is minimized. This is the most suitable type of lighting for normal and narrow faces.This type of light is named after the Paramount studio and is also known as: butterfly, Hollywood or glamorous light. This is a soft and "feminine" key light, aimed directly at the face of the model and allows you to idealize her skin as much as possible. The key light is placed to the right above eye level, filling in the same place, but below the key light. You can also use a reflector on the side of the model. So we will form a symmetrical shadow from the nose, which should not be more than half the length of the lips.
This light scheme allows you to create a beautiful shadow on the model's cheek, which is closest to the key light. The key light should be lower than when used in the Paramount setup and positioned closer to the background. The fill light should be at the same level as the camera, above the key light, and opposite. Lighting Loop helps to widen the face and is suitable for working with narrow faces with ruddy skin. The loop from the nose area should not touch the shadow area of the side of the face. This is the most interesting lighting scheme. This lighting scheme creates an interesting 3D effect on the model's face and body.
Short light - full illumination of the side of the face that is not directed towards the camera
Partial (narrow) illumination of the side of the face that is facing the camera. Such schemes are useful when you are photographing wide faces. This is a very interesting and dramatic lighting scheme as the viewer sees more shadows. Also, such light sharpens facial features a little.Light sources are in 3 quarters: the universal location of the key light is suitable for different types of faces. Minimal illumination visually narrows the face. This is an acceptable lighting solution, even if the model turns her head to the side during the shot.
Dramatic, "masculine", mood light. A very interesting light scheme where the key light source is placed at cheek level. This is not a bright light. A typical light triangle is obtained on the shadow side of the face.
This type of lighting creates an effect similar to a burning candle: only one part of the face is illuminated. The key light is at the level of the nose. The fill light can be raised or moved closer to the camera. It is very effective for significantly "narrowing" the face, nose, hiding any facial imperfections.
Illumination of the profile/contour of the model. The key light (when photographing the model's profile) is placed behind the subject (the person is looking at a reflector or key light source). Edge profile. You have to create the outline lighting with the key light. Using the key light to highlight the haircut, raise the light source a bit to achieve the effect.
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