Rembrandt Lighting

Rembrandt Lighting is just one of the known basic lighting setups used by photographers. Named after the famous Dutch painter; Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, who was widely recognised for his consistent use with this type of lighting.

There are 2 key principles that Rembrandt lighting complies by. One of these is lighting on one side of the face; which in turn produces a shadow on the other side of the subjects face, and a triangular area of lighting often labeled a 'triangle shadow' or a 'chiaroscuro' as it is more commonly known by photography enthusiast. With 'true' Rembrandt lighting the chiaroscuro should be no wider than the eye, whilst the length should be limited to the size of the nose.

Rembrandt lighting is constructed utilising just one light source, typically placed at a 45 degrees offset from the subject lighting the side of the face furthest from the camera's view; just above eye level in order to produce the chiaroscuro.

Occasionally, a reflector or a dimmed light source operating at lower power may be implemented to slightly illuminate dark shadows surrounding the subjects face.. This is labeled as the 'key light' in photography terminology.