Broad lighting

Broad Lighting When photographing a portrait subject, broad lighting is the technique whereby you place the main light on the side of the face which is facing the camera and light source.

BROAD LIGHTING - Broad lighting occurs when the main light illuminates the side of the subject's face that is turned toward the camera.
The BROWNIE is the original consumer camera, developed by George Eastman in 1888.

Broad Lighting
Conventional portraiture often positions the model in a pose such that their bodies are not facing the camera directly, but are turned to one side or the other.

-Broad lighting - portrait lighting in which the main light source illuminates the side of the face closes to the camera.

For broad lighting, the catch light should be approximately in the 11 o'clock position. The main light for short lighting should create a catch light at approximately the 1 o'clock position.

But you also have to factor in personal preference. Some photographers prefer soft, broad lighting, while others are drawn to more contrast. Knowing which lighting tool does what, however, helps you to define the look you're after.

See also: Back, Subject, Lighting, Photograph, Camera