In my Studios we adjusted our lighting to make a Rembrandt effect. Although not perfect, this demonstrates what the Master Rembrandt perfected in his art and what continues to be one of the favourite techniques in Studio Portrait Photography! Large soft box to right or left at about 45 degrees. Then one instructs the client to turn her nose towards the light until you get the apple on the opposing cheek just slightly lit up. Now a bit about The Master’s technique!

Rembrandt lighting is a lighting technique that is often used in Studio Portrait Photography. I use three lights to give a little more separation from the black background but it can be achieved using one light and a reflector, or two lights, and is popular because it is capable of producing images which appear both natural and compelling with a minimum of equipment. Rembrandt lighting is characterized by an illuminated triangle under the eye of the subject, on the less illuminated side of the face. It is named for the Dutch painter Rembrandt, who often used this type of lighting. Amazing how he saw this with just brush, paint and light!

Normally, the key light is placed high and to one side at the front, and the fill light or a reflector is placed half-height and on the other side at the front, set to about half the power of the key light, with the subject, if facing at an angle to the camera, with the key light illuminating the far side of the face.

The key in Rembrandt lighting is creating the triangle or diamond shape of light underneath the eye. One side of the face is lit well from the main light source while the other side of the face uses the interaction of shadows and light, also known as chiaroscuro, to create this geometric form on the face.The triangle should be no longer than the nose and no wider than the eye. This technique may be achieved subtly or very dramatically by altering the distance between subject and lights and relative strengths of main and fill lights.