Studio lighting setups
There are 5 main setups for portrait lighting. These setups can be enhanced and varied by the use of reflectors and fill lights (for contrast control) and accent lights (hair light).
Butterfly lighting:
This is a very flattering and soft light (with soft box). The shadows fall underneath the eyebrows, nose and chin.
Short lighting:
The Main Light is offset to the side from 30-60 degrees and the subject turns a little towards the light. This results in a shadow on the side of the face nearest the camera and makes the face look thinner. Ideal for round faces.
Broad lighting:
The Main Light is offset to the side from 30-60 degrees and the subject turns a little away from the light. This results in a shadow on the side of the face furthest from the camera and makes the face look broader. Ideal for narrow faces.
Rembrandt lighting:
The main light is offset around 60 degrees and elevated so as to leave a triangle of light on the side of the face opposite the Main Light position (the face may be looking straight at the camera or at an angle depending on the position of the light). Typically the triangle of light exposes the eye and the cheek but does not fall below the bottom of the nose. This lighting can be quite dramatic and is particularly suitable for accentuating the ruggedness of the male face. The lighting setup is similar to short lighting with an elevated Main light and normally with the light at a greater angle from the camera position.
Back lighting:
The Main Light is setup slightly behind the subject (out of view of the camera) and a large reflector is positioned in front of the subject. This results in strong edge lighting of the subject and a very soft lighting of the face. Metering for this form of lighting requires a reading with the meter dome pointing at the Main light to obtain “correct” hair lighting, or at the reflector to get “correct” face lighting. Normally a setting between the 2 gives the desired results. It is rarely used in normal studio portraiture but does give great reflections in the eyes if the reflector is big enough and can be used effectively in close-up portraits.
