Let there be Light: Lighting Patterns for Everyday Use
October 12th, 2007 by Chris CallawayWhat do you do when someone asks you to take there picture for them. Do you simply point and shoot, or do you create a photograph by framing and directing your new models? Either way, quicly applying a basic knowledge of lighting patterns can significantly help your snap shooting abilities and make
pictures pop.
Lighting patterns have been used in paintings for centuries. Painters and photographers use lighting patterns to give shap to there models with the use of shadows caused by light direction.
Once you have a good understanding of the four basic lighting patterns you will be able to quickly decide which pattern could potentially help your model. Photographically, lighting patterns can help slim or broaden models. For example, a split lighting technique can dramatically reduce the size of a person by revealing only half of the person making the person seem much smaller. Lighting patterns also be used to create a mood or dramatize a subject. The shadow on the face caused by the directional light is what creates a lighting pattern.
The four basic lighting patterns are a Paramount, Loop, Rembrant, and Split.
Paramount:
A Paramount is created when the light source is straight on the subject from above or behind the camera. The light would be at about 6:00. This light direction causes a shadow just under the nose. The shadow resembles an upside down triangle. The length of the shadow depends on the height of the light source. Therefore, if the sun is high in the sky, and almost directly above the subject, the shadows will be long. Remember that if you do have a high light source to keep the models chin up to avoid shadows in the eyes, find a piece of white material to hold under models face to reflect light back into those deep shadows. Paramounts are great for narrow faces, because nearly the entire face is lit making the models face to seem wider.
Loop:
Loops are created when the shadow on the models face travels to either side resembling a loop effect. That’s caused by the light being slightly off camera at 7:00 or 5:00. Loops are great all face types and add a bit of charm to a photo.
Rembrant:
This pattern was made famous by Rembrant himself. He used this light on nearly everyone of his subjects. Rembrants are used to create a mood or a dramatized effect often used in comic books and old detective movies. This pattern helps slim down broad faces and can look very beautiful if used correctly. Rembrants occur when a loop travels even further across the face connecting to the shadow on the edge of the face near the ear. That means the shadow side of the face is nearly completely covered except for a small triangle of light just under the eye. The light direction must be coming from a 8:00 or 4:00 position off camera.
Split:
The split lighting pattern is the most dramatic of them all. The light is coming directly from 90 degress left or right off camera. At theis point, one half the models face will be completely covered in shadow. Very, dramatic, and great for really broad faces.
Hopefully these tips will help improve the lighting and quality of your next digital photos.
About the Author: Chris Callaway is a Photo Editor with ScanDigital. Chris is a graduate of the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography. He has worked closely with well-known photographers Roberto de Este, John Russo and Richard Radstone.