Loop Portrait Lighting
Loop portrait lighting is one of the more popular lighting techniques because it is used mostly for average and oval shaped facial profiles.
The other types of lighting are:
Loop lighting makes a small variation on paramount lighting and brings the main light (key light) down a little bit to produce a “loop” rather than a “butterfly” pattern under the subject’s nose.
Lighting Setup
As a slight variation of the Paramount lighting technique, the key light here is lowered slightly and moved a bit further to the side of the subject.
This produces a small “loop” shadow on the subject’s face.
The shadow starts from underneath the nose and pulls down toward the subject’s mouth.
This lighting technique is commonly used as it is flattering for mostly average and oval-shaped faces.
The fill light is meant to bring a bit more light to the shadow side of the face.
Be careful that the fill light is not too strong that it produces its own shadow.
Please also keep in mind that in portrait photography, the magic is in the eyes. Keep the eyes evenly lit and ensure that the viewer is drawn to them.
Love your camera. Love yourself. Love your photos.