SPLIT, BROAD AND SHORT TECHNIQUES
Hey FashionPhotographyBlog.com readers! Welcome back.
Today we’ll cover the other three basic techniques for lighting – split, short and broad lighting. If you missed yesterdays’ basic techniques of Paramount, Loop and Rembrandt lighting, you can find them here.
Let’s jump right in!
LIGHTING TECHNIQUES
Split Lighting: Slight lighting literally divides the subject’s face in half. It’s also known as side lighting. Because of the nature of this type of lighting, it’s great slimming light. Keep in mind that in lighting from the side, it will show any texture (and imperfections). Aka- this is not ideally the light to be used on a very zitty person.
Split/side lighting is exactly as it sounds – Place the key light at your subjects side. It will illuminate half of their face and leave the other half in shadow.
If you don’t want as extreme a shadow as pictured above, use a bounce fill or fill light to bring in detail on the shadow side.
Split Lighting Diagram
These next two lights are not exactly a lighting pattern, but terms that deal with the subject and the lights orientation to the camera. The two lighting scenarios below deal with the subject being 3/4 to the camera.
Broad Lighting: Broad lighting will create a “broad” or “wide” face. This is because the part of the face that is lit (the part of the face that is facing the camera) is wider than the section of the face that is in shadow. Don’t use this type of light on heavier people, it will make them look bigger than they are. It’s ideal for thin people.
To achieve this, place the light opposite the direction of your subject’s face. For example, If the subject is looking to the left of the camera, place the light to the right of the camera.
Short Lighting: Short lighting will create a narrower looking face. This is because the part of the face that is in shadow (the part of the face that is facing the camera) is wider than the section of the face that is lit. This type of light is great for heavier people! It creates a thinning effect which makes it really flattering lighting.
To achieve this, place the light in the same the direction of your subject’s face. For example, If the subject is looking to the left of the camera, place the light to the left of the camera.
If you want to know more about Kickers, Rim, Hair, and Background lights, check our post on Types of Light.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email.
– Alana
IMAGE SOURCE:
Feature image & image 1: photography by Alana Tyler Slutsky from her Surrealia series. To view the rest of the photos from this series visit her website.
Image 2-8: Alana Tyler Slutsky
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