One Point Lighting

Single Point Lighting is the simplest type of light placement and mimics something we see everyday, the sun. It has the most natural look and can have a dramatic lighting effect, it also draws attention. But it may though give the person you are photographing may look more flat or two dimensional. It’s a bit of a basic lighting due to having the option to choose so many different types of lighting but then only sticking to one light.

One-point lighting, also known as single-source lighting, refers to a lighting setup that uses one primary light source to illuminate the subject. This technique creates strong contrasts between light and shadow, emphasizing texture and form.

In photography, one-point lighting can be achieved using various light sources, such as natural light from a window or a studio light. The placement of the light significantly impacts the mood of the image: for instance, positioning the light at a 45-degree angle can create dramatic shadows and highlights, enhancing the subject’s features. This approach is commonly used in portrait photography to create depth and dimension, while also allowing for creative effects and a more intimate atmosphere.

Several artists and photographers are known for their effective use of one-point lighting to create striking visuals. Here are a few notable figures:

1. Richard Avedon: Renowned for his fashion and portrait photography, Avedon often used single light sources to create dramatic contrasts and emphasize the subject’s features.
2. Gregory Crewdson: Known for his cinematic and surreal images, Crewdson employs one-point lighting in many of his elaborately staged scenes, enhancing mood and atmosphere.
3. Ansel Adams: While primarily known for landscape photography, Adams’s use of light and shadow often reflects the principles of one-point lighting, particularly in his black-and-white work.
4. Clyde Butcher: This environmental photographer uses natural light in a way that highlights textures and contrasts in his large-format black-and-white landscapes.
5. Platon: A portrait photographer celebrated for his iconic images of public figures, Platon often employs strong single-source lighting to create impactful portraits.

These artists showcase how one-point lighting can be effectively utilized to create depth, drama, and emotional resonance in their work.

Two Point Lighting

A two-point lighting set up is when theyre are two lighting sources, which are usually placed at a 45 degree angle point from the subject. One of them is your key light, which is the main light used to illuminate the subject and the second is your fill light which helps to remove harsh shadows on the subject that are created by the key light. 

Two-point lighting is a lighting technique that uses two light sources to illuminate a subject, creating depth and dimension in the image. This setup typically includes a key light and a fill light:

1. Key Light: This is the primary light source and is usually positioned at an angle to the subject. It provides the main illumination and creates highlights and shadows, defining the subject’s features.
2. Fill Light: The fill light is softer and less intense than the key light, positioned opposite the key light to reduce harsh shadows and balance the overall lighting. It helps to illuminate the shadow areas without overpowering the key light.

By using two-point lighting, photographers can achieve a more nuanced and balanced look, enhancing the subject’s three-dimensionality while maintaining a natural feel. This technique is commonly used in portrait photography, film, and video production to create a pleasing and dynamic visual effect.

Several artists and photographers are known for their effective use of two-point lighting to enhance their work. Yousuf Karsh is celebrated for his iconic portraits, often employing two-point lighting to create depth and dimensionality in his subjects. David LaChapelle, known for his vibrant and theatrical style, frequently utilizes two light sources to achieve a balanced yet dramatic effect in his fashion and celebrity photography. Diane Arbus also employed this technique, using it to illuminate her subjects in a way that highlighted their unique characteristics and emotions. Additionally, contemporary photographer Annie Leibovitz often uses two-point lighting in her portraits to create rich textures and striking contrasts, emphasizing the personalities of her subjects. Each of these artists demonstrates how two-point lighting can enhance storytelling and visual impact in photography.

Three Point Lighting

Three-point lighting is a traditional method for illuminating a subject in a scene with light sources from three distinct positions. The three types of lights are key light, fill light, and backlight. Three-point lighting is a standard method regularly used in visual media such as theatre, video, film, still photography, computer-generated imagery and 3D computer graphics. This technique can be used to eliminate shadows cast by foreground elements onto the background, or to draw more attention to the background. It also helps to off-set the single eye nature of the camera, this means that it helps the camera give depth to the subject.

Three-point lighting is a comprehensive lighting technique commonly used in photography, film, and video production to create a well-rounded and balanced illumination of a subject. This setup involves three key light sources:

1. Key Light: This is the primary light source and is usually placed at an angle to the subject. It provides the main illumination and establishes the overall mood, creating highlights and shadows that define the subject’s features.
2. Fill Light: Positioned opposite the key light, the fill light is softer and less intense. Its purpose is to reduce harsh shadows created by the key light, providing a more even illumination without overpowering the key light.
3. Back Light (or Rim Light): This light is placed behind the subject, pointing towards the camera. Its role is to create separation between the subject and the background, adding depth and dimension. It highlights the edges of the subject, enhancing the three-dimensionality of the image.

Together, these three lights work harmoniously to create a balanced and dynamic look, making three-point lighting a versatile technique widely used in portrait photography, interviews, and cinematic lighting.

Several artists and photographers effectively utilize three-point lighting to enhance their work:

1. George Hurrell: A renowned Hollywood portrait photographer, Hurrell is famous for his glamorous and dramatic portraits of stars in the 1930s and 1940s, using three-point lighting to create striking highlights and shadows.
2. Annie Leibovitz: Known for her iconic celebrity portraits, Leibovitz often employs three-point lighting to create depth and dimension, effectively highlighting her subjects against various backgrounds.
3. Joel Grimes: A commercial photographer known for his dynamic and dramatic portraits, Grimes uses three-point lighting to achieve a strong sense of depth and to make his subjects stand out.
4. Philippe Halsman: A master of portrait photography, Halsman often used three-point lighting in his innovative and playful portraits, capturing the personalities of his subjects in engaging ways.
5. David Bailey: A legendary fashion and portrait photographer, Bailey frequently employs three-point lighting to create well-defined and impactful images that highlight his subjects’ features.

These artists showcase the effectiveness of three-point lighting in creating visually compelling and dynamic portraits across various genres.