{"id":23607,"date":"2016-07-25T07:00:10","date_gmt":"2016-07-25T11:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=23607"},"modified":"2022-08-03T14:20:34","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T18:20:34","slug":"key-lights-fill-lights-hair-lights-different-lighting-uses-studio-strobes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/key-lights-fill-lights-hair-lights-different-lighting-uses-studio-strobes\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Lights, Fill Lights, Hair Lights and More: Types of Photography Lighting Strobes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Light is a requirement in photography. Heck, without light, you have no photograph. There are many different ways to light a subject as you shoot in a studio and as you begin to work with lighting patterns and light setups, you will find that there are many different lighting uses for photography strobes<\/strong> in a studio. Let\u2019s jump into some of the main types of uses when shooting any type of people images in the studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Key Light?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"02-Key-light\"
Image by Dawn Wayand<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A key light can be better described as your main source of light on a set. It should also be the light with the highest intensity of all of the lights being used. Your key light will be what shapes your subject in the image and should fall on your subject\u2019s face no matter the position your subject is posed. It can be positioned to the side, at an angle above or below or straight on your subject depending on the desired result you are looking to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Positioning Your Key Light<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"03-Key-Light-Result\"
Key lights without fill can cause harsh shadows depending on the modifier and positioning used.<\/em> (Image by Dawn Wayand)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

You will want your key light to be close to your subject, but just far enough out of the frame of your image. A good starting point is usually to the right of the camera at a 45-degree angle, but it really depends on the result you are aiming to achieve. Just remember, the key light should light your subject\u2019s face, so it may need to be repositioned throughout a shoot depending on a desired pose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Fill Light?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A fill light is a light source used to fill in shadows caused by other lights (mainly a key light), but without creating harsh shadows of its own. This is why your fill light should always be diffused. You have several options for a fill light source depending on your budget, the size of your space and the key light modifier you are using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"04-Key-and-Fill-Light\"
Fill light (left) and key light (right)<\/em>. Photo by Dawn Wayand<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fill Light Sources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n