Loop Lighting Pattern

[SilverBullet07]

I posted this over in the Protrait Critique section but did not get any feedback. Maybe not many people there work with lighting...Mods can delete the one there if you choose....


Ok I don't want anyone making fun of Tiffiny? Her emotions are very delicate.....LOL.

Any way, I'm trying to learn the different lighting patterns and purchased this mannequin head so I would have relistic features to practice with. I guess this would be the right area to post in.

My first pattern is loop lighting

I was hoping to receive the following critiques on this loop lighting pattern

1) Is it a correct loop pattern?
2) Does the lighting ratio look correct?
3) What could I do to make to bettter?



Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 195 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired


Setup:




Thanks

[sybren]

I have no idea what this "loop pattern" is you're talking about. The photo seems quite underexposed to me.

[Benji]

It appears that the main light was positioned too high. I say this because of the shadows in her eye sockets. It is also possible she has eye shadow painted on to make her look more glamorous and the dark areas around her eyes are eye shadow not a shadow from the lights. On "real" people we could tell if it was too high by the catchlights (or lack thereof) in the subject's eyes, but when the catchlights are painted on (like in your model) it is nearly impossible to know whether the main light was positioned correctly.

The loop pattern you have demonstrated is called short loop because the shadow on her face is closest to the camera. This will slenderize the face. Had the main light been at camera left it would be a broad loop pattern. Broad lighting tends to make the face look more broad, hence the name. Broad lighting is used when your subject has a thin face.

Benji

[SilverBullet07]

Thanks Benji for the reply. I was trying to get the short loop pattern like you say. My model has acrylic eyes and it catches the catch lights from the flash.

The first try, The key light was 4' away from model and 3 or so feet higher the model head.


This next try, The key light was 3' away and 2' higher the models head. I also added a background stobe.

Flash Exposure Comp: + 2/3



Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 135 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired


Flash Exposure Comp: +1


Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 135 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[SilverBullet07]

Here is a another try to capture Rembrandt Lighting

I was hoping to receive the following critiques on this lighting pattern

1) Is it a correct Rembrandt pattern?
2) Does the lighting ratio look correct?
3) What could I do to make to bettter?



Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 130 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired
Flash Exposure Comp: 0




Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 120 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired
Flash Exposure Comp: +1/3

[mrdale]

Here are a couple of web sites that might help you visulize light placement.

Foundations of Lighting Placement

light_cage

[SilverBullet07]

Thanks for the info. I find that it hard to get the lighting right just using stobes and umbrellas. It woul be nice to have modeling lights when your first learning...

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by mrdale

Here are a couple of web sites that might help you visulize light placement.

Foundations of Lighting Placement

light_cage

Thanks for those links!

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Thanks for those links!

Yes, what she said
Thanks for these links very informative.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet07

Here is a another try to capture Rembrandt Lighting

I was hoping to receive the following critiques on this lighting pattern

1) Is it a correct Rembrandt pattern?
2) Does the lighting ratio look correct?
3) What could I do to make to bettter?

No. In short Rembrandt the traingle shaped patch of light on the cheek should be completely encased in shadow. See my example below.

You must also keep in mind when using soft light sources it will be nearly impossible to get perfect Rembrandt lighting on some faces. This is because the candidate for perfect Rembrandt lighting must have high cheekbones, a slender face and a fairly narrow jawbone, and some people simply do not have all of these characteristics.

Benji