Use a three-point system for photo lighting.
Whether you are taking a special picture of a graduate or new baby or doing some informal photos at home, one pro technique will help you get a good looking picture. Three-point lighting is a way not only to light your image, but also show it at its best. Using three lights (key, fill, back), you'll create a contoured and rich image.
Instructions
1. Pick up three clamp lamps at a local hardware or home improvement center. You will also need three bulbs, a strong one for the main (or key) light, and two slightly weaker ones for the other two lights (fill and back). A 150 watt bulb makes a strong key light, but don't exceed the maximum wattage capacity of the clamp lamp.
2. Set up your subject or sitter in an open area. You will need some space behind the camera. Hang a sheet or backdrop behind the subject if you want a neutral background.
3. Set the key light. The key is the strongest of the lights, and should be to the left or right of the camera at about a 45-degree angle relative to the subject, slightly above it and pointed directly at the subject. Don't go lower than the subject or you will get strange under-lighting effects. A few shadows will be on the subject; they can help define the shape of the subject and add some nice contrast. Clamp the light to anything you can find around the home such as a high chair, a door or a standing lamp.
4. Set up the fill light on the other side of the camera, so to the left if the key is to the right, or vice versa. As with the key, start with a 45-degree angle from the subject and slightly above it. The idea is to shed a bit of light on the areas the key won't reach and to make the shadows less extreme. The fill should not overpower the key light and obliterate all the shadows; if it does, move it farther away.
5. Put the back light behind the subject. Raise it up above your backdrop (if you are using one), and place it directly behind the subject to start. A ladder is a good object to clamp it to, or hang the back light from a light fixture on the ceiling. The idea of the back light, which is sort of ornamental, is to give a special touch or a little light on the edges of the subject. There is no formula for this; move it around to try different things. It will help if you have a friend standing where the camera is to give you feedback. Sometimes you can create nice reflections of light off of the subject to add contrast.
Tags: back light, behind subject, 45-degree angle, fill back, left right, lights fill, lights fill back
