Types and Techniques of Lighting
Direction and Position of Light
The most basic element that determines the three-dimensionality of the subject.
Front light, shining from the front of the subject, almost no shadows so it looks flat but details are clearly visible
Side light, shining from the side, maximizes texture and three-dimensionality, suitable for dramatic portraits/landscapes
Backlight, shining from behind the subject, the person’s expression becomes dark but the silhouette and lines are emphasized
Top lighting, shining from above the head, gives a sublime or isolated feeling, casts shadows around the eyes
Uplighting, shining from below to above, creates a bizarre or intimidating atmosphere like a horror movie
Rim light, shining diagonally from behind to create a band of light along the subject’s edges, essential for separating the subject from the background
Kicker, similar to rim light but shining a bit more from the side to emphasize the contours of the cheek or shoulder
Texture and Contrast of Light
Controls the density and edges of shadows.
Hard lighting, small and strong light source, razor-sharp shadow edges and strong contrast, intense masculinity or noir
Soft lighting, large and diffused light source, shadows spread softly, used in beauty editorials or baby photos
Diffused light, like light passing through clouds or curtains, spreads gently overall with no glare
Chiaroscuro, a Baroque painting style that dramatically emphasizes the contrast between light and dark
High contrast, very bright highlights and very dark shadows, leaves a strong impression
Low contrast, little difference between light and dark, giving a calm and vintage feel
Studio and Portrait Lighting Setups
Standardized lighting arrangements used by professional photographers in studios.
Three-point lighting, the most stable and three-dimensional 3D/broadcast standard lighting using key light + fill light + backlight
Rembrandt lighting, a classic and atmospheric technique that creates an inverted triangle of light on the cheek on the shadow side
Butterfly lighting, shining from above and in front to create a butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose, makes the face look slimmer and glamorous
Split lighting, divides the face exactly in half into bright and dark, giving the impression of two different faces
Loop lighting, the most standard and common portrait lighting that creates a small loop-shaped shadow next to the nose
Broad lighting, brightly illuminates the wider side facing the camera, making the face look wider
Short lighting, brightly illuminates the narrower side opposite the camera, making the face look slimmer and more three-dimensional
Environmental and Special Rendering Effects
Advanced techniques that add a sense of space and realism.
Volumetric lighting, a visible beam of light cutting through fog or dust, giving a sacred and majestic feeling
Global illumination, realistic 3D lighting where light bounces off walls or floors to gently fill the entire space
Subsurface scattering, light passing through skin, leaves, or jelly to create a reddish, translucent effect as if the inside is glowing
Caustics, shimmering mesh patterns of light created by refraction on a glass of water or the bottom of a swimming pool
Lens flare, hexagonal light orbs that appear on the lens when facing a strong light source, giving a cinematic feel
Bokeh, out-of-focus background lights forming soft, round blobs
Ambient occlusion, emphasizes the subtle, dense shadows that form in tight corners to bring out detail