Light distribution mode of butterfly lamp

Butterfly lighting is one of the basic lighting methods for portrait studio shooting. Butterfly light, also known as Paramount light, is a common lighting method used by female movie stars in early Hollywood film companies to shoot movies or stills. The specific method is as follows:

Specifically, butterfly light is the main light source above the lens optical axis (in front of the model's face), and it is projected to the human face at 45 degrees from top to bottom. The nose is affected by the light level, and there is a shadow below it, similar to a butterfly. Butterfly light is more suitable for people with angular faces in the west. The height of bones brings a small area of light and shadow contrast, which can make the face look softer.

The height of the main lamp is the most important thing for photographers to control when shooting with butterfly light. The position of the main light relative to the model will directly affect the size of the butterfly shadow under the nose. Butterfly shadow has a relatively safe "standard" for beginners' reference: generally speaking, when the shadow of the tip of the nose is located between the lower end of the nose and the upper lip, the portrait as a whole looks more harmonious.

1. The shadow area is small, the characters are relatively gentle, sunny, gentle and delicate. But be careful not to adjust the main light level greatly. When the light level is too high and too close to the model, the model's nose shadow will be large and heavy, which will destroy its facial structure and make the face look too thin.

2. The light quality of the main light has a direct influence on the butterfly light effect. The main light is hard light: the butterfly-shaped shadow formed under the nose is thick, the boundary between light and shadow is very obvious, and the facial contrast of the characters is large and the three-dimensional sense is strong. When the main light is soft light: the butterfly shadow under the nose is relatively shallow, the boundary between light and shadow is weak, and the three-dimensional sense is weakened.