Different types of lighting setups

Short lighting is the opposite of broad lighting. This is where the shadow falls on the side of the face closest to the camera. This technique is flattering to most facial types, but in particular, it works well to make a full face look thinner. Short lighting is ideal for low-key images, in part because of the heavy contrast it provides. The set up for this is similar to that for broad lighting.

You start with the light source positioned at a forty five degree angle from your subject. Split lighting is where the light source hits the subject from the side at a ninety degree angle.

It creates a split of light and shadow—half of your subject will be in the light and half will be in the shadow. This technique tends to create more dramatic images.

It often makes your subject appear tough and more masculine. This type of lighting also tends to emphasize the texture of the skin and the details of the face. It gives a sense of assertiveness and can also be used to emphasize glamour. You simply put the light source at a ninety degree angle to the direction your camera is shooting, and it should be hitting your subject on their side.

It also helps if the light is slightly behind the subject. The technique can be made more or less dramatic by softer or harder light sources. Sources of harder light will make the shadows more dramatic and the image will be more intense. Backlighting is just what it sounds like—the light source is behind your subject.

It can be used to create silhouettes, or you can combine it with certain atmospheric conditions—like fog—to get more dramatic images. One of the problems with this lighting technique is that you can lose clarity in your subject because it is backlit. That creates a nice glow that is a welcome contrast to the dark background. Rim lighting is where the light hits the subject at an angle, such that it creates highlights along the edges of your subject.

You can create this in the studio with a single light source positioned behind your subject. Then, have your subject turn until the light creates a rim highlight along the edges. Then, you position your subject so the light is above and behind them.

Contrast is a key factor with this technique—with lower contrast the rim effect will be minimized. This technique is named for the distinctive shadow it creates below the nose of your subject. You set this up by placing the light in front of and above your subject. It will create a small butterfly-shaped shadow under their nose. On the plus side, it highlights prominent cheekbones, which is why many women like it.

But, on the negative side, it also emphasizes shadows from deep-set eyes. This lighting technique is also referred to as paramount lighting, and it is flattering to most people, making it a favorite for portraiture photography. Loop lighting is another go-to technique for portraiture photography because it is flattering for almost every subject. It is less dramatic than other lighting types, but it creates more depth than flat lighting. It does all of this by still keeping the subject well-lit.

This creates a loop-shaped shadow—hence the name—under the nose of your subject on the opposite side of their face from the light source. And, you can vary the shape of the shadow by raising or lowering your light source. Soft light is light where shadow edges are soft and open, and there is less contrast. It is achieved with a larger, broader light placed closer to the subject. Overcast days are a great opportunity for outdoor soft lighting.

This type of lighting can be achieved by diffusing your artificial light. This can be achieved in the studio by using a full diffusion panel or softbox that is placed between the light source and the subject.

Window lighting can also be a great source for softer light. Soft light is used mostly for portraiture, macro, and nature photography. It can also be used to make a subject appear more youthful. Hard light is the opposite of soft light—it creates strong shadows and high contrast. It creates more dramatic and edgier images. You can also make the hard light look like a spotlight, and that will increase the shadows in the image.

One of the things to keep in mind though, is that not everyone looks good in hard light. I often get asked whether to go for an joule, joule or joule… Everyone seems to think there's this massive, massive difference between them but actually, there isn't that much between them. I go into this in more detail in the video, but basically the difference between an joule lamp and a joule lamp is only one stop.

It's exactly the same as the change in ratio of stops of ISO for example. So, if we used an dual lamp at f11 then we would need to shoot a dual lamp at f8 to get the same exposure, or increase the ISO from to Joules on lamp heads or power packs are basically the same in f-stops, so compared to a joule lamp, an joule is one stop more powerful, a joule lamp is another stop more powerful and a joule pack is another stop powerful.

You just need to think about it in f-stops. Everything you need to know about flash power, including the relationship between f-stops and studio light power, power ranges and what influences power. On a pack like the broncolor Scoro, I may be able to go from power 10, which would be equivalent to joules of power on a J pack, down to power 9, which would be half of that at joules, and all the way down to as little as 0.

On monobloc lights the range isn't usually as great, but it can still be pretty good. You can see the power range differences between the pack lights and monobloc lights in the video, but overall a pack system usually offers greater versatility when it comes to power range and joules control. One of the common misconceptions about studio lighting is the actual difference in light when changing the power. For example, if you used power 8, many people often think that a one-stop drop in light would need to be power 4 but that's not actually how it works with studio lighting.

This is explained in more detail in the video, but basically to get the same exposure as at f11 and power 8, we would either have to change to f8 and power 7, or f16 and power 9. Unlike speedlites , where simply pressing the shutter button triggers the on-camera flash, studio lights require a triggering device.

This goes on top of the camera, usually sits on the hot shoe, for example, and then when you press the shutter button it sends the signal to the pack or to the receiver and that will fire the flash at exactly the right moment.

Now that you understand the basics of studio lighting , you may be asking what studio lighting kit you actually need to get started. At the very least, you can get great creative results using just one studio light — even just one bare bulb studio light!

Once you've got your light, the next step is to think about what type of photography you enjoy. This will help you determine what modifiers , lighting stands and other accessories you'll need. To help give you a better idea of what equipment you may need, I've listed a few of our classes below that use minimal equipment for you to take a look at.

I hope this has helped clear up some of the confusion about studio lighting. We have one of the most comprehensive courses on studio lighting , where you'll find everything from explanations on lighting theory to demonstrations of different modifiers.

Below are just a few of our popular courses related to studio lighting. You must be logged in to post a comment. An introduction to studio lighting. The fundamental workings of studio lights. Watch Now. Join Now. Types of studio lighting. Studio lights. Continuous light.

Read our guide to recessed lighting her e. Track lighting is suspended from the ceiling and consists of several light heads that can change position and adjust the direction along the track. The primary use of track lighting is for accent lighting and task lighting, but depending on the strength of the bulbs, it can work perfectly as general lighting. Discover the different types of track lighting here. This is a prevalent form of task lighting for a kitchen since the areas underneath cabinets tend to be very dark.

Learn about the 12 types of cabinet lighting here. Pendant lighting hangs from the ceiling, providing light directly below it. The most common location for pendant lighting is above a kitchen island or a dining room table. Pendant lights are very decorative, but they offer excellent task and ambient lighting. Like pendant lighting, chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling.

However, unlike pendant lighting, the light that it emits is pointed upward and reflects off the ceiling. Pendant lighting and chandeliers are very similar in terms of their functions. Chandeliers are an excellent example of general lighting. More: 34 chandelier styles for your home. Wall-mounted lighting, many of which are called wall sconces, emit upward or downward light.

The illumination is reasonably localized and on a smaller scale than ceiling fixtures, so it is excellent for task and accent lighting. But depending on the strength of the light, it can be used as general lighting, provided a more relaxing ambiance. Discover the different types of wall-mounted lighting here.

These types of lamps require no installation, aside from plugging them into an outlet. The number of styles and sizes are staggering, and the best thing about them is that they are very portable. Their versatility and accessibility make them very desirable, and they also provide a fantastic amount of task lighting.

More prominent-sized floor lamps can also give off enough light to provide general lighting for the room. Learn more: Floor lamps Table lamps Desk lamps. Lastly, one final consideration is smart lighting for you home. This is a quickly evolving aspect of lighting technology for the home that includes smart lighting generally as well as smart light bulbs. Just like inside your home, you have seemingly unlimited outdoor lighting options. So much so, that we have several dedicated guides to your outdoor lighting options.

Check them out:. Just like the types of lighting and fixtures mentioned above, the kind of lightbulb plays a crucial role in your interior lighting design plan.

Read our detailed light bulb guide setting out 56 different types of light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are very inexpensive and are one of the most commonly used light bulbs. The glow is warm and inviting. Incandescent lights are a very flattering light choice since it compliments most skin tones. This makes them the right choice for a dimming light bulb, especially in the bathroom. Although they are one of the cheapest options on the market, they are not as energy-efficient, and typically last for only hours of use.

A variation of incandescent lights, halogen light bulbs emit the closest replica of natural light, which is white light. These light bulbs are a bit more energy efficient compared to incandescent bulbs, but they are more expensive.

Be careful when mounting these light bulbs, as they burn at much higher temperatures than other types of bulbs. Halogen light bulbs are beneficial for task lights, especially in under-cabinet lights and pendant lights. Like halogen, fluorescent light tries to mimic natural lighting, but they work excellently for ambient lighting. However, because the light can often be too harsh, they are not ideal for use in many rooms aside from basements and attics.

Fluorescent light bulbs are also typically used in commercial lighting for the immense ability to light large spaces. There are many types available on the market that offer different and warmer colors, and they tend to last longer than incandescent lights. A light-emitting diode LED is a technology used in lighting that is very durable and energy-efficient.

Most LED lights will provide directional lighting, which makes them a fantastic opportunity for task lighting, but not general room lighting. There are, however, innovations in LED light, with models consisting of clusters of LED light bulbs to provide broader illumination. These more modern types , however, can be pretty costly. With literally millions of lighting options for your home, where do you start?

Maybe you had a catalog with some options. Now you have access to millions of lighting options with a few clicks on the internet. This is where we can help — we have an extensive guide listing and describing the main online lighting stores. Click here for our list of online lighting stores. It can be an extremely complex part of decorating to understand because there are many factors to follow when planning the best lighting for your home.

And by reading this in-depth guide to lighting, hopefully, you will have a stronger grasp as to how to start designing a well-lit, yet tastefully decorated room. One good approach to creating a good lighting plan inside and outside of your house is to check out examples of different types of lighting and ideas for specific rooms and areas.