Lighting is one of the basic elements used in photography. It informs dimension and shape as well as sets the mood for the picture. This means that understanding various photography lighting techniques is very important if you want to capture better images.
However before we dive into the 8 secret photography lighting techniques, below are the three principles of light that are used when taking pictures;
- Light travels in a straight line
- The closer the source of the light is to the subject, the brighter it will be
- The larger the source of the light is in relation to the subject, the softer it will be
As a photographer, you can use these characteristics of light to capture creative well exposed images to wow your friends or clients.
Creative Photography Lighting Techniques For Better Images
There are three basic types of light used in photography;
- Key light: This is the primary light and it is usually the brightest. It is positioned at 45-degrees angle to the camera. The key light also creates a shadow on the opposite side.
- Fill light: The fill light is used to “kill” the shadows cats by the key light. It is therefore softer and is positioned on the opposite side of the camera to the key light.
- Backlight: This light is used to separate the subject from the background. Back light is also referred to as the hairlight. This is because it hits at the head from behind giving an image the sense of depth.
The three types of lighting form the traditional three-point lighting. Photography being a creative venture, you can change positions or omit, dim or brighten some of the lights to bring dynamic in your photos.
In this article we will be discussing the best photography lighting techniques to make your pictures look better.
1. Rembrandt Lighting
Rembrandt lighting technique takes its name from a Dutch painter Rembrandt Hamernszoon. His unique painting style resulted in one half of the face fully illuminated while the other was partially shadowed. A section of the cheek is highlighted forming an inverted triangle.
This lighting technique requires one light and a dark background. The light source should be placed above the subject’s head. Experiment the angle of the subject’s head in relation to the light source so that the triangle is no longer that the nose or wider than the eye.
Rembrandt lighting is used by photographers to bring the chiaroscuro effect in an image. This is a dramatic effect which can be used in all types of photography where parts of an image have sharp contrast between highlights and shadows.
2. Split Lighting
While rembrandt lighting is set to hit the subject at 45-degrees, split lighting hits the subject at 90-degrees. In this photography lighting technique, half of the face is well lit while the other is in the shadows.
Split lighting can be said to derive its name from how it separates the lit side from the shadow in a straight line from the forehead, the nose and the chin.
To achieve this effect, the source of light is placed to one side of the subject while the camera is placed directly in front.
Split lighting brings a masculine effect to your images but to make it more dramatic, you should make your photo black and white.
3. Loop Lighting
If we were making a list of the easiest to execute photography lighting techniques then loop lighting would take home a trophy. Loop lighting derives its name from how the subject’s nose form a loop-shaped shadow under one of the nostrils.
To achieve this effect, the light source is placed about 40-45-degrees above the subject’s eye level. This will cast a shadow towards the mouth but should not touch the shadow on the cheeks.
Loop lighting is used by photographers to show accurate skin tones thus making the image look gorgeous.
4. Butterfly Lighting
Do not make a mistake by confusing butterfly lighting to loop lighting just because both cast a shadow under the nose. When you use butterfly lighting technique, the subject creates a small shadow under the nose that resembles a butterfly.
The set-up for a butterfly lighting technique is quite simple as the light source is placed behind the camera and above the eye level of the subject.
Butterfly lighting can also be used to emphasize deep set of eyes, cheek bones and jawline. It is also flattering to different skin types.
5. Clamshell Lighting
In clamshell lighting technique, you just add a reflector to the butterfly lighting set. That is, the main source of the light is behind and above your camera then a reflector is placed on the laps of your subject. This will fill all the shadows cast on the face flattering the whole face.
This lighting technique is used by photographers for taking beauty shots.
6. Broad Lighting
Broad lighting is a technique in which a larger part of the subject’s face is well exposed to light while a small portion is in the shadow.
The source of the light is place on either sides of the face with the most exposed side closer to the camera.
This photography lighting technique is used to make slim faces appear bigger and to empasize marks on the subjects face by turning towards the camera.
7. Short Lighting
This is the opposite of broad lighting technique. In this case, the camera is closer to the side of the face that is in the shadows.
This effect makes the face appear narrower than it actually is. Short lighting technique is also used to hide the marks that may appear on the face of the subject.
8. Rim Lighting
This is the last photography lighting technique to be featured in this article. Rim lighting can be said to be a combination of rembrandt light and backlight.
This is because the light is placed at about 45-degrees angle behind the subject.
Rim lighting is used to show the outline of the subject thus ideal for athletes whose body has contours that can be highlighted.
Conclusion On The 8 Secret Photography Lighting Techniques
Of course there are many more photography lighting techniques out there. These are just a few which I think are kept a secret by the best photographers. You can use some of these image lighting techniques and see how drastically your photography will improve.
