Rembrandt Lighting
Rembrandt Lighting is a simplistic lighting technique used in photography and cinematography, and is named after a 17th Century Artist, Rembrandt. This Lighting Technique is mostly used when taking portrait photographs and is used to light one half of the face, with a small, unnatural looking triangle, which is lit on the other side of the face. Rembrandt Lighting can be created by using a single source of light, whether that be from an artificial light, such as a lamp, or from a natural light, such as from a window. In order to achieve this form of lighting, the subject must be looking directly at the camera, with the light source placed to the side of them, lighting one side of their face. The light source must be positioned somewhere in between the camera and the subject so that a slight part of the light source reaches the other side of the face, creating the triangle. The light must also be raised up high, just above the top of the subject, casting the shadow and triangular light onto the opposite side of the face. Depending on the desired harshness for the image, move the light source closer for soft shadows, and further away for harder shadows. Overall, the key to capturing an image using Rembrandt Lighting, is to ensure that the closed triangle is visible on the shadowed side of the face. I have included an example of Rembrandt Lighting below.
Loop Lighting
Loop Lighting is used when wanting to cast some shadows on the subjects face, yet not completely casting darkness over the face. This type of Lighting is not about creating a dramatic photo, but about adding depth to an image. Similar to Rembrandt Lighting, this type of lighting also only requires one light source. This light source can either be natural lighting or artificial lighting. When setting up the light source, the light must be placed to the side of the subject and positioned slightly above the subject, so that the subjects face is lit. Depending on the amount of shadows wanted on the subjects face, move the light closer to the subject to cast less shadows, and move the light further away from the subject to cast more shadows on the subjects face. Obviously, the distance between the light source and the subject also change the hardness or softness of the shadows. I have included an example of Loop Lighting below.
Butterfly Lighting
Butterfly Lighting is also most commonly used when photographing portrait images. Like its name, it is used to create a butterfly shape under the subjects nose through the use of shadow. The main use of butterfly lighting is to enhance the facial bones and making facial angles appear sharper, with more depth. An artificial light must be used when using Butterfly Lighting and must be placed directly above the subject, casting the butterfly shaped subject down onto the face. The higher the light, the more prominent the shadows created, making the image appear more dramatic. The subject should be looking directly into the camera and not at an angle, otherwise, this will create a different type of lighting. I have included an example of Butterfly Lighting below.
In order to gain a better understanding of these three lighting techniques, I will create my own examples through practical work using the methods.
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