Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If lighting terminology has ever felt overwhelming, this is your cheat sheet. In this video I explain 15 foundational lighting terms to help you better speak the language of light.
Use this list to help you follow lighting breakdowns, analyze portraits, and speak the language of light with confidence.
The Job of the Light (Purpose in Setup)
1. Key Light (Main Light)
Primary light shaping subject and defining direction.
2. Fill Light
Controls shadow density and overall contrast.
3. Rim Light (Kicker)
Edge light separating subject from background.
4. Background Light
Illuminates or shapes tone of background.
How the Light Looks (Feel & Tonality)
5. Broad Light
Side facing camera is illuminated.
6. Short Light
Side turned away from camera illuminated.
7. High Key
Predominantly lighter tonal values in image.
8. Low Key
Predominantly darker tonal values in image.
Lighting Patterns (Based on Nose Shadow)
9. Paramount Lighting
Nose shadow falls directly underneath nose. Sometimes called "butterfly" lighting.
10. Loop Lighting
Small nose shadow loops onto cheek.
11. Rembrandt Lighting
Triangle of light under shadowed eye.
12. Split Lighting
Face evenly divided light and shadow.
Reflections & Highlights
13. Catchlights
Reflections of light source in eyes.
14. Specular Highlights
Bright reflections on shiny surfaces (jewelry, skin, sunglasses)
15. Quality of Light
Hard or soft light character and transition.
Understanding these terms won’t instantly make you a lighting expert but they will help you analyze, recreate, and communicate light more clearly.
If you want to go deeper into breaking down and recreating lighting step-by-step, check out my classes linked below:
Seeing the Light
Analyze and reverse engineer lighting
learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/product/seeing-the-light
Master Studio Lighting
Build confidence through in-depth understanding in 10+ hour course.
learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/product/master-studio-lighting
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Profoto Pro-D3 1250Ws Monolight
https://prf.hn/l/K9ENnmk/
Profoto Softlight Kit
https://prf.hn/l/rpZO1J5/
Profoto 1x4' RFi Softbox, Strip
https://prf.hn/l/7gzpRAa/
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera
https://prf.hn/l/w94R48j/
Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Lens
https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
#lindsayadler #lightingtutorial #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
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__________________________________
📸 More from Lindsay Adler:
Instagram: @lindsayadler_photo
Website: lindsayadlerphotography.com
Education: learnwithlindsay.com
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
If lighting terminology has ever felt overwhelming, this is your cheat sheet. In this video I explain 15 foundational lighting terms to help you better speak the language of light.
Use this list to help you follow lighting breakdowns, analyze portraits, and speak the language of light with confidence.
The Job of the Light (Purpose in Setup)
1. Key Light (Main Light)
Primary light shaping subject and defining direction.
2. Fill Light
Controls shadow density and overall contrast.
3. Rim Light (Kicker)
Edge light separating subject from background.
4. Background Light
Illuminates or shapes tone of background.
How the Light Looks (Feel & Tonality)
5. Broad Light
Side facing camera is illuminated.
6. Short Light
Side turned away from camera illuminated.
7. High Key
Predominantly lighter tonal values in image.
8. Low Key
Predominantly darker tonal values in image.
Lighting Patterns (Based on Nose Shadow)
9. Paramount Lighting
Nose shadow falls directly underneath nose. Sometimes called "butterfly" lighting.
10. Loop Lighting
Small nose shadow loops onto cheek.
11. Rembrandt Lighting
Triangle of light under shadowed eye.
12. Split Lighting
Face evenly divided light and shadow.
Reflections & Highlights
13. Catchlights
Reflections of light source in eyes.
14. Specular Highlights
Bright reflections on shiny surfaces (jewelry, skin, sunglasses)
15. Quality of Light
Hard or soft light character and transition.
Understanding these terms won’t instantly make you a lighting expert but they will help you analyze, recreate, and communicate light more clearly.
If you want to go deeper into breaking down and recreating lighting step-by-step, check out my classes linked below:
Seeing the Light
Analyze and reverse engineer lighting
learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/product/seeing-the-light
Master Studio Lighting
Build confidence through in-depth understanding in 10+ hour course.
learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/product/master-studio-lighting
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Profoto Pro-D3 1250Ws Monolight
https://prf.hn/l/K9ENnmk/
Profoto Softlight Kit
https://prf.hn/l/rpZO1J5/
Profoto 1x4' RFi Softbox, Strip
https://prf.hn/l/7gzpRAa/
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera
https://prf.hn/l/w94R48j/
Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Lens
https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
#lindsayadler #lightingtutorial #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
📸 More from Lindsay Adler:
Instagram: @lindsayadler_photo
Website: lindsayadlerphotography.com
Education: learnwithlindsay.com
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
