Sometimes, improving your studio portraits isn’t about adding more lights—it’s about making better use of the ones you already have. This highly useful tutorial covers five essential lighting patterns in portraiture and compares the setups. In this in-depth yet quick guide, Pye Jirsa delivers clear and practical demonstrations designed to produce bold, impactful results without overcomplicating your workflow.
Pye makes the process easy to grasp with clear lighting diagrams and practical demonstrations. He doesn’t just show how to set up each lighting pattern—he compares their outcomes, highlighting how subtle changes in light placement can completely alter the mood, depth, and impact of a portrait. Through practical demonstrations, Pye explains how different patterns suit various scenarios, whether you're shooting bold, edgy fashion or soft, elegant wedding portraits.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the five patterns covered:
- Split Lighting: Adds drama and intensity by dividing the face into light and shadow.
- Loop Lighting: A classic and flattering pattern that creates a soft shadow under the nose.
- Rembrandt Lighting: Dramatic and moody, with its signature triangle of light under one eye.
- Butterfly Lighting: Highlights cheekbones with a shadow under the nose, ideal for beauty photography.
- Broad Lighting: Softens features by lighting the side of the face closest to the camera.
This tutorial is a perfect reminder that even a single light, used creatively, can produce fresh, bold results. Whether you're aiming for dramatic portraits or soft, approachable looks, these patterns will give you the tools to experiment and expand your work in studio lighting scenarios.
Which lighting pattern do you use most often, and which of these new patterns would you try next?
