Rembrandt Lighting BRIDGETOWN CAMERA CLUB Lighting

 Rembrandt lighting in photography is an easy way to create more dramatic, but natural images with minimal equipment. It is mostly used in portrait photography, as well as film making.

 Origins of Rembrandt lighting This type of lighting originates with Dutch master painters such as Rembrandt van Rijn. Rembrandt introduced the art world to his signature form of lighting subjects in his paintings. The style of lighting was copied by filmmakers and photographers, and named after Rembrandt.

Rembrandt self-portrait  How to achieve Rembrandt lighting?

 Rembrandt lighting usually uses one light and a reflector or two separate lights. It is characterized by a lit-up triangle underneath the subject’s eye on the less illuminated area of the face (fill side). This is known as the Rembrandt triangle.  Traditionally, the triangle should be no wider than the subject’s eye and no longer than the nose. But many filmmakers adjust this rule slightly. You can alter the dramatic quality of this technique by adjusting the distance between the lights and the subject. Example of Rembrandt lighting using one light  Set up example

Here’s a basic Rembrandt lighting illustration of how to set up the shot. • Step 1: First, place your light source (key light) at a 45-degree angle with respect to the model’s nose. If using window light, you probably need to move the model around to achieve this. • Step 2: Make sure the light is just above the subject’s head, angled down. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments to the light by raising or lowering it as needed throughout the shoot. (Again, with window light, you will need to move the model.) Reflector • Step 3: Adjust the light position, height, and orientation (or get the model to move their head). A triangle of light should be visible under the model’s eye opposite to the side where the key light is. • Step 4: If using a reflector, position it on the opposite side of the subject at about the same height as the light source. You can make a reflector with some cardboard and a bit of tin foil. Key light • Step 5: The photographer’s position is between the reflector or and the light source. The subject should be directly in front of you, but facing a bit towards the light source. Window  Rembrandt lighting tips

• Use "window light" for a softer light that works to enhance the effect • Cloudy days work best, especially when the sun is low • Place your subject closer or further from the light source to control the amount of light • Underexpose your image a little to enhance the low-key effect. This will make the image more dramatic and help with excluding the background.  More examples

• As you can see, the effect can vary depending on the softness/harshness of the light. It can also be influenced by how close the camera is to the model. • Just a note that all the examples used so far were filched off the internet. If you Google “Rembrandt Lighting” you can find lots more examples and suggestions for how to achieve it.  Still-life

• What if I don’t have a model/don’t want to do a portrait? Rembrandt lighting can be used on other subjects, such as still life images.

• The important thing to look for is the way the light shows the form of your subject. Use window lighting to one side of your subject. You will still be looking for a low-key effect so that some of your subject and a lot of the background is in the shadows.

Jan Davidsz de Heem, Dutch, 1606 - 1683/1684, Vase of Flowers, c. 1660, oil on canvas

Low-key still-life images using window light, by George Stewart  More examples of still-life subjects

Flower in window light, very direct light. Doesn’t show shape or form.

Flower moved so light is from the Test shot with ‘normal’ Low-key image of same set-up side. Little more exposure – this is the effect we want to low-key. Shows create. shape and form of ✓ the petals. ✓

Images by Jennie Stock  Other subjects

Bronzewing in • You can use side-lighting on animals, such as much softer light. Light is coming birds and dogs. This is a bit more tricky as you from the side and have much less control over the light or what highlighting the shape of the bird. your subject is doing. ✓

Bronzewing in direct light, good for showing colours on wings. Traditional bird shot Low-key image of same with light from behind species, with lighting from the ✓ photographer. Shows left-hand side. Shows much feather detail and more shape and form of the colour but not much bird. shape or form. Images by Jennie Stock Have fun

WE WILL PRACTICE SOME LIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER AS MODELS BUT THE LIGHTS ARE PROBABLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO GET QUALITY IMAGES TONIGHT. A SUGGESTION FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO TRY A REMBRANDT LIGHTING PORTRAIT BUT DON’T HAVE A MODEL AVAILABLE – PERHAPS BUDDY UP WITH ANOTHER CLUB MEMBER (OR A FEW) AND USE EACH OTHER AS MODELS. IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS AND NEED HELP CONTACTING OTHER MEMBERS, PLEASE ASK A COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR HELP.