portrait lighting
there are four lighting patterns and two lighting style
lighting patterns
Split Lighting
Split lighting is like splitting the face in the middle using light. Half of the face is lighted and the other side is dark. Only a little light is set to the darker side of the face for eye recognition. This is mostly used for dramatic scenes so this is a perfect portrait lighting for actors, actresses, prisoners etc. This portrait lighting gives the illusion of making the subject thinner by making only half of the subject visible. It is a masculine lighting.
Butterfly Lighting (Paramount/Glamour)
This lighting was famous in the 1930's for portrait photography. This lighting is recognized by making a butterfly shaped shadow beneath the nose. So the light must be above the subject's head. Unlike split lighting, butterfly lighting is a feminine lighting.
3. Loop Lighting
Loop lighting is characterized by a shadow going to the right side of the nose but not too long to form a triangle shadow. Light is then put on the upper left side of the subject to make this lighting.
4. Rembrandt Lighting
This lighting is inspired by one of the greatest Dutch painter and printmakers in the European art, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. His paintings are mostly portrait with a unique lighting just like Split lighting but showing a triangle shaped shadow on the darker side of the face. It was then applied to portrait photography. It is used by famous people who are to be respected because this lighting signifies formality.
and these are the two lighting styles
1. Short Lighting
The part of the subject that is away from the camera is lighted.
2. Broad Lighting
The larger part of the subject’s face is lighted.