Right
Contrast & drama
In this traditional example
of Rembrandt, the
shadows are hard and
dark, creating contrast
and a well-defined
triangle under the eyeInset
A direct comparison
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 shadowPossibly the most
iconic of these setups,
Rembrandt lighting is
used to create mood
and drama
Rembrandt
lighting
A term that is banded around a lot is
Rembrandt lighting. But what actually is it?
Again something that can be created with
only one flash, this technique takes its name
from Dutch painter Rembrandt, who was the
master of the chiaroscuro technique (one that
uses bold contrasts of bright light and dark
shadows, typically with dark backgrounds),
which he used in his paintings.
The interesting and signature part of
Rembrandt lighting is how the light hits the
(traditionally) short side of the face – the one
furthest from the camera. The light is used
to create a triangle on the shadow side of the
face, just under the eye, on the opposing side
to the key light.
You can create this by positioning the light in
a set position in relation to the model, then as
long as the model stays in the same position
the shadow will remain and you can move to
take an image from the angle you desire.
The light needs to be placed to the side
of the model, at a wider than 45-degree
angle, with respect to the model’s nose. The
light should be angled down and above the
subject. Use the modelling light to see where
the shadows fall. You will need to refine the
position of the light and angle of the model
to get this precisely. The triangle should
be visible under the eye and not break the
shadow cast by the nose – it should form a
clearly defined triangular shape.
As this setup lends itself to hard light, you
can experiment with modifiers that create it, or
small light sources. And, of course, if you want
to soften out this look you can experiment
with fill or reflectors to bring up the shadows.
Although dark backgrounds are typically
used, you can use lighter ones, left unlit, that
will have spill light from the key, or add a
background light to create separation of the
subject from the background.Broad lighting
Rembrandt lighting
Right
Contrast & drama
In this traditional example
of Rembrandt, the
shadows are hard and
dark, creating contrast
and a well-defined
triangle under the eyeInset
A direct comparison
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 shadowPossibly the most
iconic of these setups,
Rembrandt lighting is
used to create mood
and drama
Rembrandt
lighting
A term that is banded around a lot is
Rembrandt lighting. But what actually is it?
Again something that can be created with
only one flash, this technique takes its name
from Dutch painter Rembrandt, who was the
master of the chiaroscuro technique (one that
uses bold contrasts of bright light and dark
shadows, typically with dark backgrounds),
which he used in his paintings.
The interesting and signature part of
Rembrandt lighting is how the light hits the
(traditionally) short side of the face – the one
furthest from the camera. The light is used
to create a triangle on the shadow side of the
face, just under the eye, on the opposing side
to the key light.
You can create this by positioning the light in
a set position in relation to the model, then as
long as the model stays in the same position
the shadow will remain and you can move to
take an image from the angle you desire.
The light needs to be placed to the side
of the model, at a wider than 45-degree
angle, with respect to the model’s nose. The
light should be angled down and above the
subject. Use the modelling light to see where
the shadows fall. You will need to refine the
position of the light and angle of the model
to get this precisely. The triangle should
be visible under the eye and not break the
shadow cast by the nose – it should form a
clearly defined triangular shape.
As this setup lends itself to hard light, you
can experiment with modifiers that create it, or
small light sources. And, of course, if you want
to soften out this look you can experiment
with fill or reflectors to bring up the shadows.
Although dark backgrounds are typically
used, you can use lighter ones, left unlit, that
will have spill light from the key, or add a
background light to create separation of the
subject from the background.Broadlighting
Rembrandt lighting