
Lightning Overview of lighting for Portraiture
There is no wrong or right way to light a scene, unless of course you are going for a certain look. Then, it is important to understand basic lighting direction and light quality.
Basic lighting direction:
- Short lighting: Occurs when the subject’s chin is angled toward the light source
- Flat lighting: Occurs when the subject’s chin directly faces the light source
- Broad lighting: Occurs when the subject’s chin is angled away from the light source
Basic light quality (determined in relation to the subject):
- Soft lighting: Shadows have a soft edge
- Hard lighting: Shadows have a sharp, defined edge
- Diffused lighting: Light is spread out and less reflective
- Specular lighting: Tends to reflect highlights on skin
Pye Jirsa
Founding Partner of Lin and Jirsa Photography and SLR Lounge.
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