Chiaroscuro is a high-contrast lighting technique. Chiaroscuro uses a low key lighting setup, where a key light is used as the sole light source to achieve dark backgrounds with starkly lit subjects.

7 Chiaroscuro Lighting Tips

• Spot Meter for Accurate Exposure
• Use an Artificial Lighting Setup to Create a Chiaroscuro Effect
• Use Available Light for a Simple Chiaroscuro Image
• Use Multiple Light Sources to Vary Your Lighting Effects
• Take Self-Portraits for Practice
• Use Rembrandt Lighting to Take Striking Portraits
• Shoot in RAW to Make the Most of Your Highlights

How will you describe chiaroscuro techniques?

This is an Italian term which literally means ‘light-dark’. In paintings the description refers to clear tonal contrasts which are often used to suggest the volume and modelling of the subjects depicted. Artists who are famed for the use of chiaroscuro include Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio.