Where the shadow falls
Rembrandt and low-key put one side of the face in shadow. That reads as serious, calm or cinematic.
Light Lab
Portrait lighting setups, compared on one face
One face, one black top, one grey backdrop. The only thing that changes from picture to picture is the light. The first picture is the standard light every shot gets; the other eleven are the lights you can choose under Lighting in the studio. Each one says what it does and when it is worth picking.
Examples
Twelve lights, one face
The standard light first, then the eleven studio lights. Each link opens the studio; choose the light under Lighting when you shoot.
Standard light
What every Shot gets when you choose no light: soft and even, few shadows, a mid-grey backdrop. Use it when the outfit or the face should carry the picture.
Try it in the studio
Rembrandt
One hard light high at camera-left: the far side of the face falls into shadow and the backdrop darkens. Use it for a serious, painterly portrait. The small triangle of light under the eye is faint here.
Try it in the studio
Rim
Two lights behind draw a bright edge around the hair and shoulders against a darker backdrop. Use it to make dark hair or dark clothes stand out from the background.
Try it in the studio
Low-Key
One focused light and deep shadow everywhere else: the backdrop goes almost black. Use it for drama, evening looks and moody profile pictures.
Try it in the studio
High-Key
Bright light from the front and both sides, a white backdrop and almost no shadow. Use it for a clean, friendly portrait that feels light and open.
Try it in the studio
Soft Window
Daylight as if from a large window at camera-left: the backdrop brightens on that side and the light fades gently across the face. Use it for natural, calm portraits.
Try it in the studio
Side Light
One light at camera-left at eye height. On this photo the change is mild: a little more contrast and skin texture than the standard light. Pick it for a slightly harder look without a dark backdrop.
Try it in the studio
Side Back
A light behind at camera-left outlines the hair, cheek and shoulder on that side while the front of the face stays a little dimmer. Use it for depth without going dark.
Try it in the studio
Back Light
A strong light right behind the head: a halo around the hair and a backdrop that glows. Use it for a soft, dreamy, backlit look.
Try it in the studio
Top Light
Light from almost straight above: bright hair and forehead, soft shadows under the brows and nose. Use it for a stage or spotlight feel.
Try it in the studio
Bottom Light
Light from low in front lifts the shadows upward against a darker backdrop. The effect is subtle on this photo; pick it for a theatrical or eerie mood.
Try it in the studio
Silhouette
The backdrop is bright and the front of the person is not lit: the outline reads, the face stays dark. Use it for mystery, covers and pictures where the face should not be the subject.
Try it in the studioIdeas to compare
What a light changes
Light sets the mood before anything else in a portrait. Three things to watch when you compare the pictures:
How bright the backdrop is
High-key turns the backdrop white, low-key and Rembrandt darken it, and back light makes it glow behind the head.
Whether the outline lights up
Rim, side back and back light draw a bright edge around the hair and shoulders, which lifts you off a dark background.
How it works
How the lab was made
A controlled test: one variable per picture.
One base photo
The female demo avatar, a synthetic person and not a customer, was photographed once with the standard light: close-up, grey seamless backdrop, neutral expression.
One relight per light
The finished photo was relit once for each light. Each edit changes only the light; the face, pose, top and crop stay as they were.
Reviewed by eye
We kept the lights that look clearly different from the base photo. Nine looked almost the same, and Split drew its dividing line through the top and the backdrop like a filter, so the studio does not offer those.
In the studio
Choosing a light in the studio
A light is added to a single Shot: the Shot is made as usual, then one edit relights it. The Generate button shows the price of both before you start. Photo Sets do not relight yet.
Lighting
On the Shoot screen, the Lighting section shows the standard light and five featured lights as photo cards: Rembrandt, Rim, Low-Key, High-Key and Soft Window.
All lights
Opens the full panel with all eleven lights from this page, each with its preview photo.
The same person
On both demo avatars the face stayed the same person in every light we kept. Check your own result before you download it.
Questions
Which light is best for a profile picture?
For a friendly, open picture: the standard light, High-Key or Soft Window. For a more serious or creative one: Rembrandt or Low-Key. Rim works well when your hair or clothes are dark.
Is this a real person?
No. The face is one of PublicSelf's synthetic demo avatars. Your own Shots use your own reference photos.
Does a light change my face?
It should change only the light. In this test the face stayed the same person in all twelve pictures. If a result drifts, generate it again or keep the standard light.
Why are Split, Butterfly and Loop missing?
In our test nine lights looked almost the same as the standard light and Split looked like a filter, so the studio does not offer them. They come back once they render clearly.
What does a light cost?
A Shot with a light costs the Shot plus one relight edit. The Generate button shows the full price before you start. The standard light adds nothing.
Try it yourself
Try a light in your own shoot
Make one Shot with the standard light, then the same Shot with Rembrandt or High-Key, and compare. You get 10 free credits to start.