The Five Portrait Lighting Patterns
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How short light effects the portrait
• The face appears slim when the shadow is on the broad
side
• It adds character to portraits
• It primarily suits masculine portraits through exploitation
of texture
Short lighting effects depend on:
• The horizontal angle of the light
• The vertical angle of the light (how high or low the light
is in relation to the subject)
• The exact position of the face (especially for Rembrandt
lighting where the nose shadow
must meet the shadow on the broad side of the face to
create the famous Rembrandt
Triangle)
• The distance of the light from the subject
• The quality (hard, soft)
• The amount of fill
• The position of the fill
• The facial features of the subject
Short light requires precise attention to detail when shooting
portraits. It is easy to change the lighting mode to broad lighting by accidentally moving the key light in relation to the subject, but even more so, by the subject subtly changing poses. It only takes a small movement in the wrong direction to affect the desired outcome.
Although this discussion is about "studio lighting techniques," because of its simplicity, short lighting can be used almost anywhere with just about any light source. You can use a speedlight held off camera, sunlight streaming through a window off to the side, a lamp positioned on a table nearby. All will give you the same effect...a contrasty, slimming, flattering look that will make almost anyone look good.
Next month we will explore "Broad Lighting". With broad lighting you get just the opposite effect that you get from Short Lighting...it makes faces look fuller.
If you like this series, let me know. I would love to hear from you.
Model: Dagney Hales
Photo by: Dave Stabley
Model: Gabrielle Dawn Torres
Photo by: Dave Stabley
STUDIO SHOOTS . . . MAY 2015