Photography and filmmaking lighting positions will affect the overall look and feel of your final project. The subject matter and desired composition of a project will influence how you wish to position lighting equipment. While there are numerous lighting position types, several positions are most commonly used and are appropriate for a wide variety of projects.
Split Lighting
Split lighting is a dynamic way to illuminate your subject. This lighting position can be used in portraits, item photography and abstract photography. The goal of split lighting is to highlight one side of the subject while creating interesting shadows on the opposite side. To accomplish a split lighting position, place the camera directly in front of the subject and set up a key light on either side of the subject. Place a dim fill light in front of the subject. The fill light can be positioned above or below the subject, depending on the final look you wish to achieve. Fill lights in this type of lighting position will help add character to the final photograph.
Three-Point Position
The three-point lighting position is a standard setup that photographers and filmmakers use. This type of lighting position can be utilized for a wide variety of purposes, and when executed correctly it will render realistic and visually appealing photographs. The first step in this lighting position is to establish the key light. The key light is the main lighting source, meaning that it is the brightest. Position the key light at an angle; never put it directly in front of your subject. The next step is to position the fill light. The fill light reduces shadows created by the key light and helps produce a natural glow on the subject. The fill light should be placed on the opposite side of the subject to counterbalance the shadowing effects of the key light; however, the fill light will be dimmer than the key light.
The last light within this type of setup is the backlight, which is also known as a rim light. The backlight is positioned behind the subject to create a rim of light around the edges of the subject. This prevents the subject from blending into the background, and gives the photograph depth.
Butterfly Lighting
The butterfly lighting position is commonly used in studio photography, and it highlights the upper portion of a subject while creating shadows on the lower part of the subject. To establish this lighting position, adjust the key light so it is slightly offset from the subject and raise the light so it is pointing down on the subject. Adjust the height of the key light to achieve the desired shadow effect. If you find that this position creates too many shadows, or if you wish to highlight a specific shadow, use a fill light to eliminate unwanted shadows. Position the fill light so it is on one side of the subject and shooting its light beam up toward the subject.
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