Digital Photographer - UK (2019-12)

Split lighting takes its name from the positioning of

the key light, illuminating only half of the face

Split light

Split lighting employs a more dramatic look,

by splitting the face in two and using the light

to illuminate one half, with the option to add in

a fill or reflector to soften the shadow side. It

typically has more contrast than the previous

lighting setups and can

be achieved with one light

source, making it a good

one to practise with minimal

kit. Or, like the other lighting

techniques used here, a

background, rim or hair

light can be added to create

a dynamic image.

To achieve this look, the

light should be placed to

either side of the face and

angled towards the subject, literally lighting

part of the face and splitting it either down

the middle or to one cheek. Feathering the

light will change the light pattern on the face

and determine exactly where the face moves

from light to shadow. Remember you can also

control the depth and hardness of the shadow

by changing the distance between subject and

light, and changing modifiers.

A type of split lighting that is often

discussed is broad and short light, a term that

refers to the lighting style by

the side of the face that is

lit. Broad light has the flash

light the side of the face

that is closest to the camera,

while short light is used on

the ‘short’ side – the side

furthest away. This relies on

the model not being direct

to the camera and having

one side facing towards the

light and one away.

Which one you use is a personal preference,

but broad light tends to widen the face and be

less flattering than short light. This technique

is sometimes hard to spot in images where

the light is softened and fill or bounce is used,

as the shadows become much more subtle.

Above

In practice

In this studio

example the side

of the face closest

to the camera

is clearly lit, and

although in profile,

the shorter side is

in shadow

Below

On location

This short light example is

less severe. The short side

of the face is hit by the key

light, but it is feathered to

wrap around into the broad

side of the face, rather than

splitting the light down the

centre of the nose

Broad light

tends to widen

the face and be

less flattering

than short light

Split lighting takes its name from the positioning of

the key light, illuminating only half of the face

Split light

Split lighting employs a more dramatic look,

by splitting the face in two and using the light

to illuminate one half, with the option to add in

a fill or reflector to soften the shadow side. It

typicallyhasmorecontrastthantheprevious

lightingsetupsandcan

beachievedwithonelight

source,makingitagood

onetopractisewithminimal

kit.Or,liketheotherlighting

techniquesusedhere,a

background,rimorhair

lightcanbeaddedtocreate

adynamicimage.

Toachievethislook,the

lightshouldbeplacedto

eithersideofthefaceand

angledtowardsthesubject,literallylighting

partofthefaceandsplittingiteitherdown

themiddleortoonecheek.Featheringthe

lightwillchangethelightpatternontheface

anddetermineexactlywherethefacemoves

fromlighttoshadow.Rememberyoucanalso

control the depth and hardness of the shadow

by changing the distance between subject and

light, and changing modifiers.

A type of split lighting that is often

discussedisbroadand short light, a term that

refers to the lighting style by

the side of the face that is

lit. Broad light has the flash

light the side of the face

that is closest to the camera,

while short light is used on

the ‘short’ side – the side

furthest away. This relies on

the model not being direct

tothe camera and having

one side facing towards the

light and one away.

Whichoneyouuse is a personal preference,

butbroadlighttends to widen the face and be

lessflatteringthanshort light. This technique

issometimeshardto spot in images where

thelightissoftenedand fill or bounce is used,

astheshadowsbecome much more subtle.

Above
Inpractice
Inthisstudio
exampletheside
ofthefaceclosest
tothecamera
isclearlylit,and
althoughinprofile,
theshortersideis
inshadow

Below

Onlocation

Thisshortlightexampleis

lesssevere.Theshortside

ofthefaceishitbythekey

light,butitisfeatheredto

wraparoundintothebroad

sideoftheface,ratherthan

splittingthelightdownthe

centreofthenose

Broadlight

tends to widen

the face and be

less flattering

than short light