Rembrant Lighting:
Why? It is both natural and compelling while being dramatic
What? Half the face is more illuminated than the other, a triangle of light is on one of the cheeks under the eye.
How? Light held diagonally above the face.
Loop Lighting:
Why? Flatters faces, and elongates the face.
What? Creates shadow loops from the light around the face.
How? Hold light to the side of the face and move the light away so that there is a bit of a shadow under the nose to the side.
Split Lighting:
Why? Very dramatic, slimming for male faces and noses.
What? Lights up one half of the face.
How? Hold the light on one side of the face.
Butterfly Lighting:
Why? To flatter a females face, used in Hollywood.
What? Casts a shade under the eyes, chin, nose, and cheek bones.
How? Hold the light above the face down on the face.
Rim/Profile Lighting:
Why? Enhances texture, creates a glowing effect.
What? Light is behind the subject and creates a glowing effect around the subject, light around it.
How? Hold the light in front of the subjects face, so that it bounces off.
Why? It is both natural and compelling while being dramatic
What? Half the face is more illuminated than the other, a triangle of light is on one of the cheeks under the eye.
How? Light held diagonally above the face.
Loop Lighting:
Why? Flatters faces, and elongates the face.
What? Creates shadow loops from the light around the face.
How? Hold light to the side of the face and move the light away so that there is a bit of a shadow under the nose to the side.
Split Lighting:
Why? Very dramatic, slimming for male faces and noses.
What? Lights up one half of the face.
How? Hold the light on one side of the face.
Butterfly Lighting:
Why? To flatter a females face, used in Hollywood.
What? Casts a shade under the eyes, chin, nose, and cheek bones.
How? Hold the light above the face down on the face.
Rim/Profile Lighting:
Why? Enhances texture, creates a glowing effect.
What? Light is behind the subject and creates a glowing effect around the subject, light around it.
How? Hold the light in front of the subjects face, so that it bounces off.