Matakuliah : U0183 / FOTOGRAFI 2
Tahun
: 2006
Pertemuan 04
Basic Lighting Patterns for Portraiture
1
Class 4 – Overview of covered materials
-
Overview of basic head (HP) and body position (BP)
-
Introduction portraits & portraiture photography
-
Understanding “Broad” vs. “Short” lighting for portraits
-
Lighting patterns
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Introduction to portraiture
Portraits & Portraiture
What is portraiture?
A portrait is an attempt to display a certain character in a person
through a painting or photograph.
The picture should in a way describe in a story telling way of the
person
Because certain character display is needed, often times lighting is
required to successfully elaborate or characterize these feelings
(E.g.. Sense of mystery , purity , humor , etc)
Character display maybe taken in candid or posed although would
be much easier posed when lighting may be involved
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Lighting for portraits
Basic head & body position review
When taking a photograph of a person it is crucial that we study
the person’s facial characteristics first before deciding on what sort
of lighting is suitable.
Do not forget the head position that suits certain face structures
Do not forget to display the right body position and angles to
accentuate height and width of the model
Placing the lights in certain order as to improve or correct certain
facial characteristic
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Lighting for portraits
Broad Lighting
Similar to the name , Broad lighting employs the use of lighting to
be place near where the camera is facing
Depending on the accessory used, broad lighting in general will
create a more flat look on the model creating more volume on
subject’s facial features
Suits thin faces and off the camera head positions (e.g. , ¾ or
profile shot)
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Lighting for portraits
Broad lighting example
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Lighting for portraits
Short Lighting
The opposite of Broad lighting, This particular lighting will
create more dimensions on the face as well as create the
feeling of less volume
Suitable to more “volumed” facial structures as well as
more frontal head positions
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Lighting for portraits
Short Lighting Example
Profile Hp + ¾ BP
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Lighting patterns for portraits
The 4 Basic Lighting Patterns
- The Paramount / Butterfly Pattern
- The Loop Pattern
- The Rembrandt Pattern
- The Split Pattern
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Lighting patterns for portraits
Characteristic of Paramount Lighting
Main light position
:
0 degrees front of the model positioned higher that the
model’s face at least 30 degrees
Shadow criteria
:
Straight shadow under the nose, forming a half butterfly
shape
Effects on the face
:
The lighting pattern will tend to broaden the face causing the face
structure to be full in volume, suits thin build face structure
Texture details
:
Minimum texture is obtained due to the shadow that falls behind the
model
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Lighting patterns for portraits
Paramount / Butterfly Lighting
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Lighting patterns for portraits
Characteristic of Loop Lighting
Main light position
:
30 degrees to the side of the model positioned slightly higher than
The model’s face at about 15 degrees
Shadow criteria
:
Formed shadow on the side of the nose, resembling an arch or a loop
shape
Effects on the face
:
Depending on short or broad lighting that is used, this lighting
pattern could cause shadow to cover some parts of the face causing
less volume.
Texture details
:
A little texture is visible as the side lighting will create shadow areas
On uneven surfaces.
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Lighting patterns for portraits
Loop Lighting Example
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Lighting patterns for portraits
Characteristic of Rembrandt Lighting
Main light position
:
45 degrees to the side of the model positioned slightly higher than
The model’s face at about 15 – 20 degrees
Shadow criteria
:
Formed shadow on the side of the face, creating a triangle shape on
one side of the model’s cheek
Effects on the face
:
This lighting will cause the model to have a narrow face as this
lighting will cover almost half of the face in shadow areas.
Texture details
:
This side light will create more apparent textures. Especially on
uneven surfaces that is illuminated by this main light.
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Lighting patterns for portraits
Rembrandt Lighting Example
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Lighting patterns for portraits
Characteristic of Split Lighting
Main light position
:
90 degrees to the side of the model and positioned on the same
plane of the model’s face at about 0 – 5 degrees
Shadow criteria
:
Formed shadow on the side of the face, covering one side of the face
completely. This lighting is also known as the Yin Yang lighting,
especially among Chinese photographers
Effects on the face
:
This lighting will cause the model to have a even narrower face than
the Rembrandt. This lighting covers half of the face in shadow areas.
Texture details
:
Textures will appear very apparent in comparison to the other 3
lighting pattern.
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Lighting patterns for portraits
Split Lighting Pattern Example
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