Learn the 4 traditional lighting patterns for portraits!

Have you ever paid attention to the lighting patterns in the face of models in magazines? Learning these basic lighting patterns  that will make a difference in your portraits. You can obtain different effects when using controlled lightning equipment because they can be managed and changed. The key is to know how to control them in order to make the portraits as perfect as they can be.

We only used one light so there is no second light, the shadow looks very deep. 

The magic behind photography is exploring the shapes that light and shadows make on surfaces. When starting exploring with different light effects on peoples’ portraits, we recommend to initiate with only one light source. 

When it comes to portraits, the light should always be located above the shoulder of the person. In order to capture the perfect reflection on the eyes, the light settings should not be too intense.

Just remember: when you have the light too low the shadows are not flattering.

Butterfly/Paramount

Let's start with the first effect. This pattern is super flattering for face shapes. The shadow projected is right below the nose, creating a butterfly shape. This technique don’t generate many shadows, which is very favorable. To obtain the Butterfly effect the photographer needs to make sure that the light bulb is above the camera lense. This effect is the most used for beauty shots.

The Loop

These can be difficult to differentiate sometimes from the Butterfly. You must learn to detect it. SHADOW FROM THE NOSE DOWN UNDER THE CHIN, PREDOMINENT ON ONE SIDE. 

 This pattern creates a little loop right next to the nose. Flattering as well. And the light is not right above your head but at one side (right or left).

Rembrandt

This is a very interesting one. It was named after a painter named Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Whenever you see one of his masterpieces, pay attention and you’ll be able to recognize if he used this pattern on his painting. This effect has a special characteristic because it creates a triangle shape on the cheek opposite from the light. (size can vary).

Split

With this technique you can create very moody photographs. You are able to control the saturation and exposure so it’s not too dark. Due to the fact that we are only using one light source, the shadow created will look very deep on the face. To obtain this effect make sure the light covers half of the face of the person, while the other half will generate a shadow. A very important aspect to keep in mind while doing the pattern is to avoid losing the sparkle on the eye.

Photography doesn't have limits. There are infinite possibilities of capturing intriguing photos. We recommend you start practicing with light position and bounces to make sure you can control the shadows. Depending on the face shape of the person you can make the most of these effects.

Very cool isn't it? Now practice them, and discover all the possibilities that these patterns can give you. Remember to practice them with one light first and then get second lights or bounces to control the fill on the shadows. Also after practicing you will notice that some face shapes look beautiful in some patterns and in others not so much. So it is all about learning and discovering the light and shadows!