Nikon D750, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 2200, ƒ/4, 1/500

This morning, while eating breakfast at Ken’s House of Pancakes in Hilo, Hawaii, I noticed what appeared to be a mother and daughter together. After analyzing the photograph, I noticed that it caught my eye due to the lighting on the mother’s face.

We refer to Rembrandt lighting, named after the famous painter known for employing this lighting technique in many of his paintings.

There is a little triangle of light on the dark side of the face when the light is 45º to the subject’s side and 45º above the subject.

Tomorrow, the students in the class will learn how to create the triangle on a person’s cheek to create Rembrandt lighting. Rembrandt lighting is my first lesson in lighting, which I think is a great place to start.

To create this triangle, students will use a setup similar to the one shown here. For this shot, I used four lights. The students will only use one.

They will use just one light with a spot grid on it.

Here is the assignment they will get tomorrow. How about you try it yourself?

Rembrandt Lighting Assignment

I gave the class an assignment on making a Rembrandt light portrait using just one light with a 10º or 20º spot grid.

Most of the class has never even turned on a studio strobe before.

Here is the assignment:

Description:
Rembrandt’s portrait uses one grid light

Items:

Subject
Please get the best possible expression. For example, it would be best if you saw a triangle on their cheek. Be sure the triangle includes lighting that highlights their eyes.

Monobloc with 10 or 20-degree grid
You may use any power setting you choose. Ensure the skin tone is displayed correctly and adjust the white balance accordingly.

Camera
Choose the lowest ISO setting for your camera. For example, use a portrait lens with a focal length of 85 mm to 100 mm; if you don’t have a full-frame camera, a 50mm lens will be sufficient.

Backdrop
You may also use a black background. No other lights are to be used in this assignment.

Here is one of the students’shotst from the past: