green cast. If you use a California Sunbounce to fill your subject with a more
natural, crisper light, readjust your white balance as the color temperature will
be lower (and more flattering).
Lighting Patterns.
There are basically four types of lighting used in glamour portrait photogra-
phy: Paramount lighting, loop lighting, split lighting, and Rembrandt lighting.
Paramount Lighting.Paramount lighting is a traditionally feminine pat-
tern achieved by placing the main light high and directly in front of the sub-
ject. This produces a small, symmetrical, butterfly-shaped shadow under the
nose. (Consequently, the lighting pattern is also called butterfly lighting.) The
actual shadow should terminate between the upper lip and the nose itself.
Paramount lighting flattens features and reduces textures while giving a
broader look to narrow faces. This lighting style is best for women with strong
cheekbones and great complexions; it is typically avoided for male subjects.
56 LIGHTING FOR GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAPHY
Playboy Playmate Holley Dorrough
was photographed by Tom Suhler.
Tom illuminated Holley with one
Hensel Integra 500 Pro Plus mono-
light fitted with a medium Chimera
Super Pro Plus softbox. Notice the
shadow under the side of Holley’s
nose, which is characteristic of the
loop lighting pattern. When working
with blonde haired models and
dark backgrounds, an accent light
for the hair isn’t always necessary.
(CAMERA:Nikon D3 fitted with Nikon
70–200mm f/2.8 lens. SETTINGS:
75mm effective focal length,^1 / 250
second shutter speed, f/7.1, white
balance at 5880, ISO 200)