MAIN LIGHT ( KEY)
CREATING A MULTI-LIGHT PORTRAIT
Plenty of outstanding portraits have been
created with a single source of light. A single strobe, a
lighting modifier, and a couple of reflectors give you plenty of
options. Nevertheless, many photographers prefer the lighting precision and greater sense of depth possible
with a multi-light setup. In this section we'll build up the
portrait lighting one light at a time.
THE COMPONENT
LIGHTS
Main Light
The main or key light is the primary and,
usually, the strongest light. It is responsible for providing
shape and form. In the example to the left, our subject is
lighted solely by the main light. As this main light is quite
contrasty, the image shows stark areas of highlight and shadow,
and would benefit from some fill lighting.
FILL LIGHT
Fill Light
The fill light provides light to "fill in"
shadow areas created by other lights. In general, fill lights
should provide an even, non-directional light that adds little
character or shadows of its own. The fill light is nearly
always weaker than the main light. The example to the left shows
our subject lighted solely by the fill light. This is a very
flat light.
MAIN & FILL LIGHTS COMBINED
Main and Fill Lights
Combined
The image to the left shows the result of
combining the main and fill lights. In this example the main
light is approximately 1.25 f-stops more intense than the fill
light. Used with a much lighter background, this lighting
combination is useful for basic school and business photos.
KICKER LIGHT (RIM, EDGE)
Main & Fill with Left & Right Kickers
Kicker lights, also known as rim lights,
accent the edges of the subject. Kickers are usually placed
just out of view and, behind and slightly to the right or left
of the subject. A gobo is often placed between the kicker light
and the camera lens to minimize flare. The image to the left
shows our subject lighted with the main and fill lights as
above, but with the addition of a kicker to the left and
right. From the camera position, kickers set to the same
output as the main light will appear noticeably brighter. The
kickers in this example are delivering less light than the main
light, yet the area they light appears brighter than the front
of the face. This occurs because the kickers are positioned
such that a greater portion of the reflected light is the form
of direct reflection.
HAIR LIGHT
Hair
Light Added, One Kicker Removed
The hair light is used to enhance hair
texture and provide separation from the background. Notice how
the hair, which nearly blended into the background in the
previous images, is now visibly separated and more attractive in
the example on the left. This example differs from the previous
one in the addition of the hair light and the removal of the
camera-left kicker.
Hair lights can add wonderful impact, but
should be removed or used judiciously for people with thinning
hair or bald pates.
BACKGROUND LIGHT
Main, Fill
& Hair (No Background Light)
Main, Fill, Hair & Background Light
The background light is used to illuminate the
background. Background lighting may be even or graduated,
color neutral or colored with the addition of gels. In the
examples above, we have the same lighting (main, fill, & hair), but
in the image on the right a background light is added. Notice
how the background light helps separate the subject from the
background.
