Portrait light basics And Vocabulary

 

Butterfly 

• What effect does it create?
• Shadow underneath her nose and chin  
• Why use it?
• To get the whole face lit and to hide the neck .
• How many lights or light sources?
• One Light Source

Loop

• What effect does it create?
• Loop shadow on side of the cheek 
• Why use it?
• its the most subtle 
• How many lights or light sources?
• 4 light sources

Rembrandt

• What effect does it create?
• A small triangle on her cheek 
• Why use it?
• Makes images appear both natural and compelling .
• How many lights or light sources?
• Two Light Sources 

Split

• What effect does it create?
• Half the face is illuminated and the other half is dark 
• Why use it?
• To create a mysterious effect 
• How many lights or light sources?
• One light Source

Broad and Short

• What effect does it create?
• Broad side of face is being lit 
• Why use it?
• to make a face look fuller and to eliminate eye glass glare
• How many lights or light sources?
• One Light Source

Part 2

Fill light - Light used to lighten shadows and control the contrast 

Key light - The main light used to light up the picture

Hair light - A light that lights up the top of the head 

Background light - Helps separate the background from the subject

Shadowless - Light that causes shadows to not appear

Hard light - A strong Light that casts shadows 

Soft light - Light that wraps around objects and creates shadows with soft edges

Grey card - provides reference for exposure

Reflector - reflects light 

Diffuser - Spreads out light to create soft light

Intensity - How intense/ strong light is

2:1 lighting ratio -  The ratio describing the power of light

Part 3

Direction: The direction of light
Intensity: Brightness of the light
Color: Color of Light
Contrast: Transition of light and shadows
Hardness: How the shadows look like