5 Advanced Lighting Techniques For Amazing Pictures

The key to photography is to be able to represent true life but also to emphasize the personality of the subject. Often times dull pictures kill the personality, but here are some advanced lighting tips to help you liven up your photographs.

1: Understanding Broad Lighting and Short Lighting

Broad lighting is when the main light is toward the side of the face that is facing towards the camera. It isn’t as popular as short lighting because of the flattening effect it has on the subject. Short lighting is when the main light illuminates the side of the face that is turned away from the camera. More of the details and contours of the face are emphasized this way and in addition it has a narrowing effect on the face.

2: Use Loop Lighting to Slim the Face

In loop lighting the main light is lowered and on the side of the subject which creates a loop on the side of the face away from the light. The fill light will be mounted at the camera and will not be bright enough to cast any shadows of it’s own.

3: Paramount Lighting Creates Dramatic Effects

Paramount lighting is known for it’s shadow beneath the nose that creates a butterfly-like shadow. It is primarily used on women and not so much on guys because of the shadows it cast on subjects with deeper set eyes. The main light is placed high and above the subjects face directly in front of the subject. The fill light is placed directly below the main light at the height of the subject’s head. It is wise to use a fill card to reflect light into the deep shadows that will appear on the neck and a hair light to illuminate the details of the subjects head.

4: Use Rembrandt Lighting Accentuate Masculine Portraits

In Rembrandt Lighting the main light is more to the side then the above 3 lighting techniques. The fill will be on the same axis as the camera and subject. The hair light will be moved close to the subject to accentuate the highlights of the hair. Use a standard background light. Kickers should be used to define the sides of the face. If everything is done right a a slight triangular shape should appear on the subjects shaded side of the face.

5: Split Lighting For More Slimming Effects

Split lighting will light up only one side of the face narrowing the face and nose. The key light can be all the way perpendicular to the subject or even slightly behind them. The fill light should be used as normal as well as the hair light and background light.

When placing lights be aware of your subject and be careful not to over light your subject. Adjust the lights and monitor the effects until you reach the ideal lighting situation. If you don’t shoot in a studio these lighting techniques are good to be aware of. Often times nature will provide similar lighting situations if you have the eye for it and a fill flash handy.

By: William B Cotter

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Bill Cotter is an author about phoenix wedding photographers. Bill writes about phoenix wedding photography for www.memoriesputtomusic.com.