Portrait Fundamentals: Lesson 7 Portrait Lighting Patterns

This is a FREE lesson from our Portrait Photography Fundamentals online photography course.

Lighting patterns play a crucial role in portrait photography. Understanding the different types of portrait lighting patterns and how to use them effectively can help photographers create stunning portraits with depth and dimensionality. Lighting patterns refer to the way light falls on a subject’s face and the resulting shadows and highlights.

By adjusting the position and intensity of light, photographers can create a wide range of lighting patterns, each with its own unique look and feel. In this lesson, we will discuss the most popular lighting patterns used in portrait photography and provide tips for achieving them.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, mastering these portrait lighting patterns will help you take your portrait photography to the next level.

A lighting pattern is determined by the direction of light, which you learned about in lesson five, and is how the light and shadow come into play on the subject’s face.

There are four common portrait lighting patterns used by photographers:

• Split lighting
• Rembrandt lighting
• Loop lighting
• Butterfly lighting

Portrait photography relies heavily on lighting. For great shots, you need to understand portrait lighting patterns. Here are six of them, complete with lighting diagrams so you can replicate the patterns in your own studio.

1. Split Lighting

Split lighting splits the face into equal halves with a half-shadow effect that creates drama. To achieve split lighting, put the light source 90 degrees to the left or right of the subject. In true split lighting, the only part of the “shadowed” face that should be lit is the eye.

Make sure at least one of the eyes contains a catchlight to avoid lifeless eyes.

2. Loop Lighting

Loop lighting positions a small shadow from the subject’s nose across their cheek. To create loop lighting, place the light source slightly above eye level and about 30-45 degrees from the camera. Over time, you’ll get better at identifying the perfect loop-light position from the get-go.

The shadow of the nose and cheek should not touch, creating a small shadow pointing slightly downward.

3. Rembrandt Lighting

Rembrandt lighting creates a clear triangle of light on the subject’s cheek. The shadow of the nose and the cheek should meet, which creates the little triangle. Rembrandt lighting is more dramatic than loop lighting, so it works well for moodier portrait sessions.

To create this pattern, place the light off to the subject’s side and ask your subject to turn slightly away from the light. The light should be above their head, so the nose shadow falls down towards the cheek.

4. Butterfly Lighting

Butterfly lighting is named for the butterfly-shaped shadow created under the nose. It is commonly found in fashion magazines, creating a glamorous photo with shadows under the cheeks and chin. To create this pattern, place the light source above the camera and slightly to the left or right of the subject.

Make sure the light source is high enough to avoid creating unflattering shadows.

Short and Broad Lighting

There are also two lighting styles: broad and short lighting, which can be applied along with most of the patterns.

Short lighting is when the subject’s face is angled towards the light source, creating a shadow on the far side of the face. Broad lighting, on the other hand, is when the subject’s face is angled away from the light source, creating a shadow on the near side of the face.

Use short lighting when the subject has a round face to add depth and dimension to the portrait. Use broad lighting when the subject has a narrow face to create a more flattering look.

In the notes that accompany this lesson, you’ll find one lighting pattern covered on each page so you can print them out and take them as cheat sheets (only available if you have purchased the course)

Portrait Lighting Patterns: Techniques and Styles

When it comes to portrait photography, lighting is a crucial factor that can make or break your shot. Knowing different portrait lighting patterns and techniques can help you create stunning images that highlight your subject’s best features and convey the mood you’re going for.

Below, we’ll delve deeper into the topic of portrait lighting patterns and explore the different techniques and styles you can use to enhance your portraits.

Lighting Setup for Portrait Photography

A lighting setup for portrait photography can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. At the bare minimum, you’ll need a light source and a subject. However, if you want to achieve more elaborate lighting patterns, you’ll need additional equipment like reflectors, diffusers, and backdrops.

Types of Portrait Lighting Setups

There are different types of portrait lighting setups, including natural light, studio lighting, and artificial lighting.

Natural light can create beautiful, soft portraits, especially during the golden hour, when the sun is low in the sky. However, it can also be unpredictable, and you’ll need to work quickly to capture the best lighting conditions.

Studio lighting, on the other hand, gives you complete control over your lighting setup, allowing you to further enhance the mood and style of your portrait photography, you can experiment with different types of portrait lighting setups. Some common studio lighting setups for portraits include the classic three-point lighting, high-key lighting, and low-key lighting.

The Classic Three-Point Lighting Setup

The classic three-point lighting setup consists of a key light, fill light, and hair light.

• The key light is the main light source and is typically placed at a 45-degree angle to the subject.
• The fill light is placed opposite the key light to fill in any shadows created by the key light, and the hair light is placed behind the subject to create separation between the subject and the background.

High-Key Lighting and Low-Key Lighting

High-key lighting involves using bright lighting to create a light, airy, and bright mood in the portrait. Low-key lighting, on the other hand, uses darker lighting to create a moody and dramatic effect.

These techniques can be used to add depth and dimension to your portrait photography, and they can be easily adapted to suit different styles and moods.

Consider the Type of Light You’re Using

When setting up your portrait lighting, it’s important to consider the type of light you’re using. Studio lighting typically uses artificial light sources, such as strobes or continuous lights, but natural light can also be used. Natural light can create a soft, flattering effect, but it can be difficult to control and is often inconsistent.

To ensure consistency in your portrait lighting, it’s important to use a color-corrected light source.

Color temperature is measured in Kelvin, and different light sources have different color temperatures. For example, tungsten light bulbs have a warm color temperature of around 3200K, while daylight has a cooler temperature of around 5500K. Using a color-corrected light source will help ensure that the colors in your portrait are accurate and true to life.

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In this comprehensive video tutorial, you’ll learn how to make use of natural light as well as on and off camera flash for making stunning portraits on location.

We’ll cover:

We take you on location to three locations using two models and a married couple where you’ll see exactly how we shoot in different lighting conditions. You’ll learn how to properly meter for one or more flashes, inside and outdoor settings and a sunset.

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Conclusion

In summary, portrait lighting patterns and techniques are essential for creating stunning portraits that capture the mood and personality of your subject. Experimenting with different styles of lighting setups, such as three-point lighting, high-key lighting, and low-key lighting, can help you achieve the desired