Light triangle on the face. Lighting schemes in a portrait - classical (Rembrandt) lighting scheme

The most common lighting scheme is called “Rembrandt light”. She received it in honor of the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt Van Rijn, who in most of his portraits used light that creates chiaroscuro on a person’s face in the form of a triangular corner under the eye on the dark side of the face.

Strong contrast between dark and light areas creates volume. And since the artist is deservedly considered a master of light and shadow, his technique began to be used in portrait photography and, of course, became classic.

How to Create Rembrandt Lighting

This type of lighting can be created using one. It must be positioned at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, one and a half meters above the head of the model and about two meters in front of the camera.

Why approximately? Because it partly depends on the lighting source used and the structure of the person's face. It's no secret that eyes can be bulging or deep-set.

To create the images used in this photography lesson, was taken studio flash with standard reflector, with the help of which we got quite hard (sharp) shadows. But it is quite possible to try to recreate the classic lighting model with a different light modifier. A reflector was also used, placed at a 45 degree angle to the flash, to highlight the shadows without losing image detail in the shadows. In addition, a flag was used so that the light from the monoblock did not fall directly on the background.

The main mistake of portrait photographers when mastering Rembrandt's lighting scheme is that the eye from the side of the painting light turns out to be completely illuminated. This suggests that the main light source was too low above the model.

Erroneous Rembrandt lighting

Therefore, through trial and error, you need to try to move the light source higher, while maintaining the position in place studio stand .

If you make the adjustments correctly, you will get an excellent Rembrandt diagram when light touches the eyelids, forms a triangle of light, but no wider than the eye and no longer than the nose. This triangle is called - Rembrandt triangle.

Correct Rembrandt triangle effect

The intensity of the light source did not change, only the height and angle of incidence of the light were changed, but it is clearly visible that changing just one parameter affects the final result. To make sure of this, you need to try installing the light yourself! More practice, friends! Any theory is useful only if it is supported by practice.

Effect

Although only one light source (perhaps with a reflector) is needed to create Rembrandt lighting, the design is effective in its simplicity and effectiveness. Correctly recreating this scheme guarantees a beautiful and high-quality portrait. The scheme is especially good for photographing full or round faces. Thanks to the transition of light into shadow and hiding part of the face in the shadow, the face visually becomes elongated and a certain slimming effect is obtained. That is why it is better not to use Rembrandt light for narrow faces, unless, of course, the task is to convey the strong negative emotions that the model is “experiencing,” because the face will look haggard.

Some photographers believe that Rembrandt lighting is a formulaic light for male portraiture and should not be used in female portraiture. But every rule of photography should be taken with a grain of salt and be thoroughly tested. Rembrandt lighting is no exception! After all, even Rembrandt Van Rijn himself used such light for portraits of women.

Try also to increase the contrasting effect of chiaroscuro by using additional lighting to create a spot of light against the background - emphasizing the dark side of the face, thus creating a feeling of darkness and mystery.

As an example of an atypical use of classical lighting, we can cite this photograph, where it can be seen that a gray light background was taken for the work, the light source was used with a softbox, and fill light was obtained using a reflector. The result is a wonderful, bright portrait of a child with the right classic Rembrandt lighting.

You should have a good understanding of how this effect is achieved so that you can start using it with ease in everyday portrait photography, as in the example above, and also try to reproduce this lighting in different poses of the model.

In future photography lessons, we'll look at other lighting techniques for portraiture. Anyone who is just learning studio skills portrait photography, you will need to familiarize yourself with them to improve your skills.

Greetings readers! In this episode I want to talk about the lighting scheme that I often use in my shooting.
This scheme is called "Rembrandt light". We can find a description of “Rembrandt’s Light” on the Internet. I want to talk about this scheme from my point of view, show its pros and cons, and draw parallels between painting and photography.

A little history. Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669), as we know, is a great and unsurpassed master of light painting. He was a follower of Caravaggio Michelangelo (1573–1610). Caravaggio painted his canvases in the attic, where there was one single small round window under the roof itself, from where daylight came. This window was called the Bull's Eye. It was precisely under this stream of light that Caravaggio placed his models. Essentially, the bull's eye is a prototype of a hard light source.
Illustrations:
1. Caravaggio. David and Goliath.
2. Caravaggio. Madonna with the Snake
3. Rembrandt. Flora
4. Rembrandt. Danae.

But why is Rembrandt the master of light painting? Studying illustrations and paintings, you can see that the shadow side in Rembrandt’s works is more transparent and readable, details and textures are recognizable. This is his skill - detailed drawing of both light and shadows.
Caravaggio's shadow is deeper, sometimes turning black.

So, the key light falls on the object at an angle of 45 degrees, the camera is also at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the light source (I do not believe that this angle should be strictly adhered to, faces and images have different shapes, so small deviations are acceptable).

Reflector". It is with this arrangement of the drawing source that the object will tell as much as possible about its shape and volume. This will happen because we will be able to “acutely” follow the chiaroscuro. An example is shown on the simplest object, a ball.

But by simply using one key light, we can lose texture in the shadows! To prevent this from happening (in order to get closer to Rembrandt’s light), it is necessary to use fill light, highlighting the shadow side. To do this, we use a soft box or reflector, which
we direct it to the shadow side of the object.

If you put soft light in place of the reflector, the transition from light to shadow will be more diffused.
Based on the “Rembrandt Light” scheme, you can create interesting artistic photographs. Change the location of the sources, add backlight - study the resulting image.
It’s very good to start learning how to set up light with this diagram. On the one hand, it is simple and understandable, on the other hand, it requires care in the settings and parameters of the light. A model, posing in such a light, must understand the tasks that the photographer sets for her.

If you can understand these guidelines and learn how to implement them, this will be the start of your journey to great results in portrait photography. In this article we will look at the issue of lighting - what it is, and why it is so important to install lighting correctly.
Lighting can be defined as the play of light and shadow on the face, which ultimately creates the whole image of a portrait. There are four main types of lighting in portrait photography, namely:
Split lighting;
Loop lighting;
Lighting "Butterfly";
Lighting "Rembrandt";
Now let's look at each type of lighting separately. Let's highlight the features of lighting and find out when and what type is best to use.

Split lighting

The name speaks for itself, Split lighting divides the face into equal halves, one half is fully illuminated, the other is in shadow. This type of lighting is most often used to create a dramatic image when photographing a musician or artist. It is believed that Split is a male version of lighting. The serious, strong image that Split gives to a photograph is more suitable for male portraits than for female ones. Of course, there are no clear rules, and gender divisions into female and male, all the information given in this article is given for information and reflection. It can only serve as a starting point; the final decision is yours to make.

To achieve the effect of split lighting, you need to place the light source 90 degrees to the left or right of the subject, so that it is placed slightly behind the head. Where exactly you place the light source depends on the individual features of the face. When arranging lighting fixtures, pay attention to how the light falls on a person. It may be that more light or shadow falls on the eyes, in this case it is better to change the direction of the lamps; if the light falls on the cheeks, it means that all the equipment is displayed perfectly.
Note: in any lighting, the face can be in any position, it can be in a frontal position, ¾, or even in profile. The most important thing is to keep an eye on the light source, which should be directed towards the face to maintain the lighting of the photo. Please note that if a person turns his head, the light will fall differently. At the same time, if the technique is set a little incorrectly, then a slight turn of the head in one direction or the other can correct everything.

What is "blink"?
Notice the photo of the child above. The light source used in the photograph is reflected in the baby's eyes. This is what is called "flare". Without glare, the eyes will appear dark and lifeless. You should always make sure that there is at least one highlight in the eyes. As a rule, it makes the eyes brighter, gives them shine and life.

Loop lighting

Lighting is done by creating a small shadow on the nose or cheeks. To achieve this effect, it is necessary to place the light source above eye level, at an angle of 30-45 degrees relative to the camera (the exact placement depends on the individual characteristics of the person).

Take a look at the image of the newlyweds above, notice how the shadows fall, you can see a small shadow on the left cheek, falling from the nose. Otherwise, the face is illuminated evenly. The light source is located slightly above eye level, this creates soft shadows and pleasant illumination of the face. Loop lighting is perhaps one of the most common types of lighting, due to the fact that it does not require particularly precise settings, and is suitable for almost all people, making them attractive in the photo.

In the diagram, the black rectangle represents the trees in the background of the photograph. The sun is behind the trees, the bride and groom are in the shade. The white reflector to the left of the camera is the light source directing the reflected rays of the sun to the newlyweds. By changing the position of the reflector, its angle of reflection and height, you can change the illumination of the image. For Loop lighting, the angle should be 30-45 degrees compared to the camera. As mentioned earlier, the light source (in this case, the reflector) is located above eye level, thanks to this the shadows lie smoothly, the darkest places on the face are in the corners of the mouth and near the nose. As practice shows, the main mistake beginners make is that they install the reflector too low.

Lighting "Rembrandt"

Lighting is named after the artist Rembrandt, who used this type of lighting in his paintings. Here is a self-portrait of Rembrandt, and the distribution of light and shadow in the painting is the same as with the same type of lighting. In this case, a triangle of light falls on the face, approximately equal to the height of the nose and the width of the eyes. It is best to place the light source at the level of the cheeks, and it must be installed in such a way that the light falls on the eye located on the dark side, otherwise it will come out lifeless, there will be no shine in it. Rembrandt's lighting is quite dramatic, and it is best used when photographing men, or in cases where drama is appropriate.

When lighting Rembrandt, the subject should turn slightly away from the light. The light source is located above head level. The shadow of the nose falls on the lower part of the cheek. This type of lighting is not suitable for every face type. If a person has well-defined cheekbones and a generally very expressive face, then Rembrandt-type lighting is suitable for him, but if a person has a small nose and a flat bridge of the nose, it is better to choose a different type of lighting. If you are using a beam of light coming from a window, make sure that the light does not fall on the floor; if this happens, then cover the bottom of the window with a cloth so that the light comes from above and falls directly on the subject. As in other cases, the choice of lighting is up to you and depends on the person you are photographing.

Butterfly lighting

Butterfly lighting is so named because the shadow formed under the nose is shaped like a butterfly. When using this type of lighting, the light source is placed directly in front of the subject's face, above eye level. The photographer takes pictures from below the light source. This type of lighting is often used for glamor photo shoots of stars, as with its help the face is beautifully illuminated and appears thinner and longer. Butterfly lighting is also suitable for shooting adults, since thanks to direct lighting it does not emphasize wrinkles and makes them more invisible.

As shown in the diagram, the light source is located behind the camera, above the eye level of the subject being photographed (depending on the shape of the person's face). Sometimes they also use a reflector, which is placed under the chin. People with defined cheekbones will get the perfect image of their face when photographed with Butterfly lighting. Round or wide faces will look longer and more petite. To create a butterfly effect, professional studio lighting is better suited; sunlight or flash light may not be enough to create the desired effect.

Wide illumination

This is not so much a specific style of shooting as a general manner of lighting. Almost any of the lighting presented above can be wide.
The subject's face is slightly turned ¾ away from where the camera is positioned. This slight rotation creates a larger area of illumination on the face, while the shadow side is smaller. Wide lighting is sometimes used for high key portrait photography. This type of lighting visually makes a person’s face wider, which is what gave the type of lighting its name. Due to its nature, lighting is best used when photographing a very thin person, or a person with a face that is too elongated to widen the model’s face. Most people still want to appear slimmer, so be careful when choosing this type of photography, and never use it on chubby people.

To create broad lighting, it is best to turn your face slightly away from the light source. The light falls well on most of the face, the shadow falls on the part of the face that is away from the camera. In a nutshell, you get the most illumination from the closest part of your face.

Short lighting

Short lighting is the opposite of wide lighting. As you can see in the example in which this type of lighting was used. The light source is placed on a more distant side, that is, the part of the face that is closer to the camera remains in shadow. Most often, short lighting is used when shooting with low key, or for dark portraits. This lighting gives the portrait a sculptural look, creating something like a 3D effect. Short lighting slims the face well, which means it is suitable for overweight people or people with a round face.

There are several nuances that should be constantly monitored in order to get a great portrait. These nuances include: the ratio of light and shadow, the lighting of the subject, the position of the face, and the angle of view. You should familiarize yourself with these aspects of portrait photography in order to be able to vary them professionally in the future. This particular article will describe such an aspect as portrait light, namely, what it is, why it is so important in photography, and how to use it.

Portrait light can be defined as follows: it is a varied relationship (play) of light and shadow, due to which new forms are created. And the shape is created by the shadow on the face. There are four main types of light in portraits, namely:

breaking light
"a loop"
Rembrandt light
"butterfly"

There is also a short light and a wide light, but these are more about shooting style and can also be used in combination with any of the lights mentioned above. It’s worth taking a closer look at each type of portrait light.

The definition of a break light is fully reflected in its name; in other words, it divides the face into two equal parts, plunging one part into shadow and illuminating the other. This light is often used to give a photograph a dramatic effect, great for portraits of musicians and artists. Breaking light is generally considered more suitable for male portraits than for female ones. But it is worth remembering that there are no strict rules. However, a beginner should still follow some tips until he can play with light on his own.

To achieve the effect of breaking light, you need to place the light source to the right or left of the subject, and if possible, slightly behind his head. The position of the light source directly depends on the face of the person being photographed. You should pay close attention to how the light falls and adjust the source positions accordingly. Ideally, the breaking light allows only the shadow side eye to be illuminated. If, at any position of the source, the light hits the subject’s cheek, then perhaps the face is simply not suitable in shape for the dividing light.
Important: all types of lighting can be used regardless of the position of the face (full face, half full face, and even profile). You just need to remember that the light source must be located relative to the face in accordance with the selected type of lighting. If the position of the face changes, then the type of light will change. So this can be used as an advantage: if you need to change the type of light, then you can not move the light source, but simply ask the person to change the position of their face a little.

What is a "blink"?

The reflection of the light source can be seen in the child's eyes in the photo above. It looks like a small white dot, but if you look closer, you can even see that this dot is shaped like the light source used in this photo shoot.

In this case, the bright dot has the shape of a hexagon with a black spot inside. It was this shape of light that was used (a small hexagonal softbox on a Canon camera).
This effect is called "flare". Without it, the eyes in the photo will appear dark and lifeless. You need to make sure that at least one eye will have a highlight that will “revive” the face. If you look closely, you will notice that the glare also illuminates the iris and the eye as a whole. With the flare effect, the person's eyes in the photo are full of life.

"A loop"

A type of light called "loop" creates a shadow of the nose in the cheek area. To create the Loop effect, you need to set the light source slightly above the eye level of the person being photographed, and position it 30-45 degrees from the camera (but you should also take into account the characteristics of each individual face, and for this it is worth learning to read people's faces).

In the photo above, you can see how the shadow falls and you can see the faint shadows of their noses on people's cheeks. In this type of light, the "loop" shadows of the nose and cheeks do not touch. It is necessary to create a small shadow that is slightly directed downwards. Many people set the light source too high, thereby creating strange shadows and losing highlights. Loop light is the most used and famous type of light in photography because it is easy to create and the end result is admired by most people.

In the diagram above, the black background is the trees behind the people. The sun comes out from behind the trees, but the people are completely in the shade. A white reflector, which is used on the left side of the camera, directs the light onto the subjects' faces. The reflector may be in the sun or in the shade, but in any case it will be able to catch the desired light. By changing the angles and position of the reflector, you can vary the types of light in photography. For the “loop” you need to place the reflector 30-45 degrees from the camera. It should also be slightly above the subjects eye level so that the shadow or loop of the nose is tilted towards the corner of the mouth. The most common mistake made by beginners is incorrect position of the reflector; by placing it below eye level, they thereby direct the shadow upward, rather than downward, as required. This illuminates the tip of the subject's nose and the desired effect is lost.

Rembrandt light is named after the famous artist Rembrandt, who used this kind of lighting quite often when painting his paintings. You can verify this by looking at his self-portrait. Rembrandt's light creates a triangle of light on the cheek. Unlike the loop, where the shadows of the nose and cheek do not touch, in this light they are connected in such a way that a small triangle remains on the subject's cheek. To create Rembrandt light, you first need to make sure that the eye on the shadow side is illuminated or catching light, otherwise it will come out lifeless in the photo. Rembrandt light gives a dramatic effect to a photograph, just like breaking light, it reflects the mood and deep feeling of the subject in the photograph. It should be used correctly.

To create Rembrandt light, the object must be turned slightly away from the light. Place the light source above the level of the subject's head. So that the shadow from the nose falls on the cheek. Not all people's faces are suitable for creating this type of light. If a person has high and distinct cheekbones, then the photo will turn out well. If the subject has a small and flat nose, most likely this light will not be suitable at all. And again, it is worth remembering that this type of light in photography should not be used if a person does not like the result and there is no suitable mood that he wants to convey. If you use natural light from a window, and it, in turn, is located all the way to the floor, you will need to cover the lower part with a gobo to achieve the desired lighting.

"Butterfly"

This type of portrait light, called “butterfly”, is so called because the shape of the shadow that is under the nose is similar to the shape of an insect. The butterfly is created by positioning the light source above and directly behind the camera. In this light, the photographer shoots directly under the light source. Typically, the butterfly is used in photo shoots for glamor magazines and to create shadows under the cheeks and chin. Also, this type of light, such as “butterfly”, is ideal for photographs of older people, as wrinkles become less noticeable.

The “butterfly” is created by a light source located behind the camera and above eye or head level (depending on the individual). Sometimes they resort to using a reflector, which is placed under the subject's chin; in most cases, the subject holds it himself! Photos with this light captivate people with the effect of clear cheekbones and a thin face. For people with round, wide faces, a loop or breaking light is more suitable. And such a portrait light as a “butterfly” is more suitable for people with clearly prominent, high cheekbones and a thin face. This light appears harsher when using a window or reflector separately. Often hard light from a window or flash is needed to create a more defined shadow under the nose.

Wide light is less a type of lighting for a subject and more a style of lighting. Loop, Rembrandt and breaking light can be either wide or short.
Wide light is when the face is turned slightly off-center and the side of the face facing the camera is illuminated. The illuminated side of the face appears visually wider than the side that is in the shadow. We often use wide light in High Key portraits. This style of light makes the face appear wider, and is ideal for portraits of people who have narrow and thin faces. However, most people want to appear slimmer in photographs, so it is best not to use this kind of light for people with wide, round faces.

To create a wide light, the face must be turned away from the light source. In this case, the side of the face facing the camera is most illuminated, and the shadow falls on the other side of the face, which is turned away. To put it simply, a wide light shines on more of the face.

Short light is the exact opposite of wide. In the example you can see that the side of the face facing the camera is in shadow. This light is often used in Low Key portraits. Most of the face is in shadow, the portrait resembles a sculpture, the face looks slimmer, and many people are delighted with the result.

In the case of short light, the face is turned towards the light source. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the side of the face that is turned away from the camera is the most illuminated, while the shadow falls on the side of the face that is closer to the photographer. To put it simply, when there is a short amount of light, a shadow falls on most of the face.

Let's put it all together!

Once a photographer has learned to recognize and create different types of light, he can begin to learn when to use them. By analyzing the face of the subject being photographed, the photographer learns how to choose the right type of light that is most suitable for a particular person and the portrait as a whole, and also take into account the mood. A person with a small round face who wants to look thinner in his portrait will not be suitable for the light that was ideal for a rock band, where people looked malicious and bloodthirsty.
Taking photographs is much easier if the main light source can be moved. But what to do if the light source is the sun or a window - everything is a little more complicated here. All that is required in this case from the photographer is to change the position of the subject depending on the light source in order to obtain different shadows and light on the face. Or change the camera position. In short, it is necessary to move objects that can move in relation to the light source if the latter is stationary.

Practical lessons

To begin with, you should find an object to photograph (a living person, a dog will not do), and then start practicing in different types of light in.
« Butterfly»
« A loop»

Don't forget about the wide and short light styles and practice each light with two styles. There is no need to worry about other parameters at this particular moment. It is worth focusing on learning and applying only the types of light in portrait photography. Light sources can be a window, a bare floor lamp, or the sun. It is better to use flash for professional photographers, since only at the end of the photo can you see the play of light and shadow on the face. You can start by studying wide and short light by placing the subject directly in front of you.

The article was prepared based on materials from the site

The most common lighting scheme is called "Rembrandt light". She received it in honor of the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt Van Rijn, who in most of his portraits used it, creating chiaroscuro on a person’s face in the form of a triangular corner under the eye on the dark side of the face.

How to Create Rembrandt Lighting

Why approximately? Because it partly depends on the lighting source used and the structure of the person's face. It's no secret that eyes can be bulging or deep-set.

To create the images used in this one, I took it with a standard one, with which I got quite hard (sharp) shadows. But it’s quite possible to try to recreate the classic lighting model with a different one. It was also used, placed at a 45 degree angle to the flash, to highlight the shadows and not lose image detail in the shadows. In addition, a flag was used so that the light from the monoblock did not fall directly on the background.

Erroneous Rembrandt lighting

Therefore, through trial and error, you need to try to move the light source higher, while maintaining the position in place.

Correct Rembrandt triangle effect

Effect

In future photography lessons, we'll look at other lighting techniques for portraiture. Anyone just learning studio skills will need to familiarize themselves with them to improve their skills.