It’s easy to get confused by the different types of lighting, especially if you’re a beginner, but lighting schemes—combinations of light and shadow that affect the appearance of an object—can help. Photographers and cinematographers often use them in their work, so these studio techniques and lighting arrangements can be useful for 3D work as well.
Direct light
To illuminate a model, the most obvious thing to do is to simply direct the light directly at their face. This will make it evenly lit, bright, but flat. All shadows and textures will disappear from the illuminated area, and the contours of the nose and cheekbones will be poorly visible. But the same result can be achieved in the editor by placing the light opposite the face. This lighting is useful if you want to show not a detailed face, but, for example, a bright pattern on clothing.
“Butterfly”
If you raise the light higher and move it slightly away from the model, her face is noticeably transformed. It looks much slimmer. This effect is created by the shadows under the cheekbones. They also clearly outline the nose and chin. The “butterfly” is often used when photographing models for magazines and posters. The second name for this technique is “Paramount.” It got its name from the television company of the same name, which liked to film its actresses from this flattering angle.
Light above the subject
If you set the light even higher, the shadows from the brow ridges will hide the eyes, and the lower part of the face will disappear altogether. The face will immediately take on a gloomy, villainous appearance. If the light is not too powerful, the eyes will not disappear completely in the shadows, but dark circles will appear under them. This lighting is suitable for depicting a tired or depressed character.
Lighting from below
Another idea for creating a gloomy atmosphere is to place the light source below the object. Such light seems unnatural and disturbing, because we are used to light sources being above us, not below us. The lower part of the face, the nasolabial folds, and the space under the eyebrows are highlighted. This gives it a strange and even frightening appearance.
Side or split lighting
For this technique, the light source should be placed to the side of the object. Then one side will be brightly lit, while the other will be completely hidden in shadow. This technique is useful if the model is positioned near a window and only half of them is illuminated. In cinema, this technique is used to add mystery to a character or show their secretiveness.
Light behind the subject
If you place the light source behind the subject, you won’t be able to see the details or textures of the model, but its outline will be clearly visible. In photography, this type of lighting is called “backlighting.” But if you add a couple more light sources in front, you will get both a defined outline and visible details.
Rembrandt lighting
This technique was used by the famous Dutch painter in his paintings. There is a theory that Rembrandt placed the subjects of his works by the window in the same room. And in similar poses. This is why he developed his own characteristic style of light painting. This lighting scheme makes the model’s face much deeper, more expressive, and more dramatic.
It is also called “45 degrees.” This is the angle at which the light source is located. This way, part of the face is fully illuminated, while the other part is in shadow, but with a characteristic triangle of light on the cheek. This is a convenient type of lighting that can be used to imitate both sunlight and indoor lamps.
We have described the most popular lighting schemes, but there are many more. These are not strict instructions that cannot be deviated from, but they will be a useful basis for starting a project.