Butterfly lighting is a lighting technique used from portrait shoots in a studio and one that photographers should know about, especially if you want create beautiful portrait image. Butterfly lighting got its name from the butterfly shaped shadow it creates under the portrait subject’s nose. Butterfly lighting is also called Paramount lighting or Glamour lighting.
It is used in beauty and portrait shoots that require soft flattering light, which you can use to highlight your subject’s cheekbones and create shadows under the neck.
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Equipment Needed For Butterfly Lighting
- LIGHT : Butterfly lighting requires a key/main light which can either be from natural source such as the sun and artificial source such as the strobe, speed light, etc.
- TRIPOD STAND: To ensure the right positioning of your flash for butterfly lighting, you will most likely need a stand. This is to help with positioning and to get the right angel before shooting your subject
- TRIGGER: You need a good flash trigger for this kind of lighting which can be either cable or wireless trigger to achieve your desired result.
- CAMERA AND LENS : You can use a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflector) or mirrorless camera with a good butterfly lighting setup, meaning that capturing butterfly lighting is not centered on only a particular type of camera. The most preferable lens to choose for butterfly lighting is 50mm etc., as the case might be .
It is important to note that as photographers you need to know the kind of lighting that suits your subject and the kind of light that best fits the scenario you’re trying to create. The secret to butterfly lighting and any other type of lighting is constant practice which would over time, help you become better at it.
