PORTRAIT EXPOSURE
| RATIO | FILL | KEY | EXPOSURE |
| 1:1 | f Stop X Large Soft Box Only | --- | Incident Reading |
| 2:1 | f Stop X | Same as Fill | Incident reading, Fill & Key Together |
| 3:1 | f Stop X | f X + 1 stop | " |
| 4:1 | f Stop X | f X + 1 1/2 Stops | " |
| 5:1 | f Stop X | f X + 2 Stops | " |
| 6:1 | f Stop X | f X + 2 1/3 Stops | " |
| 8:1 | f Stop X | f X + 2 2/3 Stops | " |
| Type Light | Incident/Reflected | Vary From Combined Key/Fill Exposure | Comments |
| Hair Light | Inc | +/- 1/2 Stop | Aim Dome at Light from Subject Head |
| Background Light | Refl | +/- 1/2 Stop | Add or Subtrac Exposure for Effect |
| Accent Light | Inc | +/- 1/2 Stop | Aim Dome at Light from Subject Position |
| Combined Key | Inc | Same or 1/2 Stop Less | |
| Double Key | Inc | Read as One Light | |
AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Department of Photographic Technology
PORTRAIT LIGHTING
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SHADOWLESS
Shadowless lighting is the function of the fill light in classical studio portraiture.
This type of lighting will sometimes be used in high key photography of children.
Shadowless lighting will occasionally be used for adults who are extremely thin and who look unhealthy in ordinary photographs.
Shadowless lighting will be encountered in outdoor portraiture in early morning, late afternoon, and in open shade. It can be very attractive, especially when combined with high contrast color films or with under exposure and over development of black and white films.
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BUTTERFLY OR HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR LIGHTING
This lighting pattern is widely used in glamour photography as extremely attractive to the right kind of face.
Butterfly works well with the slightly rounded face and the nose which is somewhat "flared" such as some Asian, African American, or English/Irish immigrant types.
While this pattern is not often used for men, on certain facial types it works well.
It isn't possible to use short butterfly lighting but the same result is achieved by increased lighting ratios.
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LOOP OR PARAMOUNT LIGHTING
This lighting pattern is by far, the most popular of all portrait lighting patterns. It was so commonly used by Hollywood's Paramount Studios that its name was lent to the style.
Loop may be used either as a broad or short lighting pattern.
The most common error, which is to be avoided at nearly all costs, is to let the shadow drift laterally (horizontally) rather than downward progressing.
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450 OR REMBRANDT LIGHTING
Rembrandt lighting is very well loved by photographer but is somewhat less useful than Loop.
Men with interesting roundness and shape to their faces profit from this lighting style.
45 is often used in glamour lighting but frequently at a lower lighting ratio such as 1:2 or 1:3.
In character and theatrical portraiture with higher than normal ratios often improve the effect.
This lighting pattern lends itself well to both broad and short lighting, regardless of the use of specular or more diffuse lighting instruments such as umbrellas and light boxes.
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SPLIT LIGHTING (SOMETIMES CALLED SLASH OR HATCHET LIGHTING)
Split lighting is sometimes used appropriately at lower lighting ratios to impart great dignity in both men and women (especially older women) in more formal environments.
Split lighting is often used with high ratios for glamour, figure, theatrical, and character portraiture.
an excellent use for split lighting is in a compound key where a short split is placed underneath a stronger loop or 45 lighting. This will emphasize the shape of the face without an otherwise strong statement.
