Natural Light Tip - Rembrandt Style Lighting

Natural light photo of a woman

Lighting and/or the use of light does not have to be difficult. In this photo we were in a room that was brightly lit by the sun. I should note it was indirect sunlight, versus harsh sunlight lighting the room. I am using the curtain to block a little of the light hitting her (camera left arm), and turned her sideways, giving the triangle patch under her camera right eye.

This is called rembrandt lighting, and I use it all the time and it never fails me. If I faced her towards the window it would also be soft and flattering but you would lose dimension, and a little drama in her face.

Unfortunately in the following diagram I was unable to find something to illustrate the sun so I replicated it using a strobe. .

It is an easy way to show depth and contrast in your photo.

The program I am using for my lighting diagram is called Set.a.Light by Elixxier.

Happy shooting!