TECH SUPPORT Photo Glossary Q. What is butterfly lighting? A. Sometimes called glamour or beauty lighting, this technique for portrait lighting puts the main light directly in front of and very slightly above the head. It is flattering because it creates very few shadows in a full-face (not in profile) composition. This lack of shadows can minimize a large nose, wrinkles, or blemishes, which shadowed light can call attention to by rimming them in black. And because the light shines directly into the eye sockets, the eyes have presence—and catchlights—even for subjects with deeply set sockets. Why “butterfly?” Because of the slight double-wing shadow the technique throws under the nose. |
