The 4 PORTRAIT Styles

Loop Lighting Definition:

Loop lighting is probably one of the most common key lighting patterns. We see that it falls right in the middle between flattering flat light to dramatic split light. Loop Light is a nice middle ground where most of the face is still in light but you still have enough shadows to bring in some definition.

Loop Lighting Placement:

Loop Lighting evolves from Butterfly Lighting very simply. If you already know how to get to Butterfly lighting, all you need to do is move your light around the subject until you get roughly 25°-50° to the left or right and angled down to the subject’s face.

The shadow of the nose should NOT connect to the shadow on the cheek.

Loop Lighting Common Uses:

Because the light pattern comes from this angle, it creates a more dramatic look with a shadow that falls off the nose pointing down to one side. The subject will have more light on one side of their face. You can use this to your advantage if the subject has a “good” side or a preferred side of their face by lighting that side.

Butterfly Lighting Definition:

Butterfly Lighting (or Paramount Lighting) comes directly in front and above the subject’s face. This creates shadows that are directly below the subject’s facial features. The most notable shadow, and where this lighting pattern gets its name, is a butterfly shaped shadow just under the nose. It is also called “Paramount Lighting” because this lighting pattern was used heavily in the Paramount movie studio of old Hollywood.

Butterfly Lighting Placement:

Start the key light in the flat light (right in front of the model) position, then raise the light up until you see the “butterfly” shaped shadow under your subject’s nose. Angle the face of your light so it points at your subject. The only difference between flat lighting and butterfly lighting is the height and angle of the Key Light. This creates the same flattering features as flat lighting but includes shadows underneath the nose and chin.

Butterfly Lighting Common Uses:

This lighting pattern is usually used in beauty shots when a reflector is added underneath to soften the shadows.

Rembrandt Lighting Definition:

The master Dutch painter Rembrandt used this style of lighting in many of his paintings thus honoring this widely known lighting pattern in his name. While it is true that many Baroque painters used Rembrandt lighting in their paintings as well, Rembrandt’s name was chosen to define this widely used lighting pattern (Also Vsnderveer lighting just sounds horrible). Rembrandt lighting can be distinguished by half of the subject’s face in shadow except for triangle-shaped light on the cheekbone and eye.

Rembrandt Lighting Placement:

From your Loop Lighting position, move your key light around the subject until the shadow of the nose is touching the shadow of the face. This primarily leaves one side of the face in shadow but keeps a triangle of light on the cheekbone and eye.

Rembrandt Lighting Common Uses:

Rembrandt is a stronger angle than loop lighting, making it look more dramatic. The more shadow we add to our subject and the more we turn our light away from flat lighting the more dramatic our lighting becomes. It is used heavily in all types of portrait photography including athletes.