Available Light Vocabulary
Hard Light - Hard light is produced by a small, light source. The parallel, direct light is harsh. It creates sharp lines between shadow and dark with little or no transition.
Soft Light - There is a gradual transition from light to dark. The light is scattered and diffused. There are no sharp edges on the shadows.
Diffusion panel - A panel that diffuses light and turns hard light into soft light.
Reflector - Reflective surface used to redirect light towards a given scene or subject.
Butterfly - Lighting technique with the light source placed in front of the face, causing a butterfly shaped shadow under the nose.
Loop - Lighting technique with the light source placed slightly to the side of the face, casting a slight shadow of the nose on the cheek.
Rembrandt - Lighting technique with the light source placed slightly to the side of the face, causing a triangle of light to appear on the cheek.
Split - Lighting technique with the light source placed to the side of the face, causing one side of the face to be dark and the other side to be light.
Rim light - Lighting technique with the light source placed to the back and side, causing the edge of the face to be lit while the rest of the face is dark.
Back light - Lighting technique with the light source placed to the back of the subject.
Broad light - Lighting technique with the subject's face turned slightly to the side, and the side of the face turned toward the camera is in the light.
Short light - Lighting technique with the subject's face turned slightly to the side, and the side of the face turned toward the camera is dark.