Light Basics and Vocabulary (FIXED)

The Five Basic Lighting Techniques

Butterfly (or Paramount) -- 

1. What effect does it create? It produces a symmetrical, butterfly-like shadow beneath the subjects nose.

2. Why use it? It emphasizes high cheekbones and good skin, but it's less used in men because it hollows out the cheekbones and eye sockets too much.

3. How many lights or light sources? It uses four light sources.

Loop -- 

1. What effect does it create? It has a minor variation of Paramount lighting.

2. Why use it? It's ideal for people with average, oval-shaped faces.

3. How many lights or light sources? It uses three light sources.

Rembrandt--

1. What effect does it create? It creates a dramatic light to illuminate your subjects.

2. Why use it? To accentuate the shadow-side highlight.

3. How many lights or light sources? It uses three light sources.

Split --

1. What effect does it create? Illuminates half the face of the person. 

2. Why use it? Helps narrow a persons face, and for a weak fill. 

3. How many lights or light sources? 4 lights, with 2 sources.

Broad and Short --

1. What effect does it create? It illuminates the broad side of the face. Short light is when most of the broad side of the face is hidden from the light.

2. Why use it? To narrow the face the short is the best option. The broad is good for making a face look more full. 

3. How many lights or light sources? 2 light sources. 

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Fill light - Used to light shadows and control Contrast and Lighting ratios.

Key light (main light) -

Hair light - an accent light focused on the top of the head

Background light - Reveals the character of the background and helps separate it from the subject.

Shadowless -  reveals or conceals stylish and dramatic features.
Hard light - a direct source that produces highlights and dark shadows.

Soft light - indirect light that produces soft shadows and subtle highlights.

Grey card - a reflectance card used instead of a subject for a reflected light meter reading.

Reflector - Bowls that shape and intensify a lights beam.

Diffuser - A material placed in front of the light to soften highlights and shadows. 

Intensity - the "strength" of an incident light

3:1 lighting ratio - a one stop ratio

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Five Characteristics of Light

Direction: Which side is the light coming from?
Intensity: How bright is each light source?
Color: Is it a warm, natural, or dark color?
Contrast: Is the difference in shadows and highlights subtle or sudden?
Hardness: Are the edges of the shadows soft or hard?