March 1, 2023

Portrait Light Patterns w/ Studio Lights

Today’s Agenda:

Portrait lighting set up demonstration.
Practice the 6 portrait light patterns with a partner using window lights.
Make one good portrait example for each of the 6 portrait lighting patterns using studio lights for the Portrait Light Pattern Project.

Portrait Light Patterns Project

First, you can practice the 6 portrait light patterns with a partner using window lights. You can even do this without a camera, just so you know how to position your subject to create the shadow patterns you need.

Make one good portrait example for each of the 6 portrait lighting patterns using studio lights.

Edit your best examples to post on your blog with the pattern + camera settings in the captions.

Butterfly…light is in front and above subject=symmetrical shadow under nose
Loop…light is to one side at about 45 degree angle=small loop shadow on one side of nose
Rembrandt…subject continues to turn away from light=the loop nose shadow will meet the cheek shadow and hopefully produce a triangle of light under the eye on shadow side.
Split…subject continues to turn away from light=one half of the face is in shadow.
Broad…subject turns away from light=broad side of face has light, short side in shadow.
Short...subject turns back towards light=short side of face has light, broad side in shadow.