Rembrandt Lighting USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Rembrandt Lighting Rembrandt lighting is a classic portrait lighting technique characterized by its dramatic and directional illumination, named after the renowned Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn, who often used similar lighting in his portraits. Rembrandt lighting is achieved by positioning the main light source, typically a soft or diffused light, to one side of the subject and slightly above eye level, creating a triangular highlight on the cheek opposite the light source and a small triangle of light beneath the eye on the shadow side of the face.

The hallmark of Rembrandt lighting is the presence of this distinctive triangle of light beneath the eye, which adds depth, dimension, and mood to the portrait while accentuating the contours of the face and creating a sense of three-dimensionality. Rembrandt lighting is a popular choice for portrait photographers seeking to evoke a sense of drama, mystery, or emotional intensity in their images, and it is widely used in studio and environmental portrait photography, as well as in cinematic and fine art portraiture.