• Broad or short lighting is used in portrait photography.portrait of a woman. b&w portrait image by Elena Platonova from Fotolia.com
  
  Learning to take good photographs, whether professionally or as a hobby, requires utilizing varying forms of light. Once you've learned the basics of proper lighting conditions and how to adjust your camera settings accordingly, you can begin to experiment with these light types. One photography lighting concept to experimenting with is the differences and effects of broad or short lighting in portraits. Learning how to properly use both broad and short lighting will increase the quality of your photos and will hone your skills as you work to become a better photographer.
  
  

Short Lighting

• Short lighting involves setting up lights so that the side of your subject's face or surface that is farthest from the camera receives the most light. This creates the illusion of a narrower, slimmer face and is very useful in portrait photography. The reason for this is that because of the lights' positioning, the face side nearest appears darker and almost "shadowed," whereas the side facing away is illuminated. Short lights are also excellent for emphasizing features to create a dramatic floor. If you want to emphasize wrinkles, freckles, a scar, dimples or chiseled features, short lighting is the ideal option. When using this technique, make sure the majority of the face is in the shadow. Remember the key light (main light) is the dominant light source for this dramatic effect. When posing the subject, turn their face toward the light but not so much that the light falls straight on the face as this will wash out the effect.
  
  

Broad Lighting

• Broad lighting illuminates more of the face---the portion that is facing the camera. This is essentially the opposite of short lighting. This will give the face a fuller appearance and works well when highlighting the subject against a dark background. Have your subject turn their head away from the light, exposing more of the lit face to the camera. This also makes the photo have a flatter appearance; there won't be many shadowing effects.
  
  

Tips

• When posing the subject, try not to turn the head too far away from the light. This will expose the ear and cause it to be highlighted, which will make it the focal point against a darker background. If you're looking to add a more dramatic flair, solely use the key light (main light). When all else fails or you're at a loss for deciding on the proper lighting technique, short lighting is the answer. It's easier to pull off and is generally the preferred method. Remember when posing your subjects that lighting might need to be adjusted. When you're in the middle of a shoot you can accidentally go from broad to short lighting just by moving your subject, so pay attention to your set-up at all times.