Lighting Questions: How to create rim light effect?

dr_who · 21st of January 2008 (Mon)

I've been playing with my studio setup (just a few flashes and 2 umbrellas), and I can pretty much execute the basic light setup for porttraits. What I'm interested is the rim light effect I see in so many arty photos and magazines. I fail to creat that thin, yet soft line of light.

Please see this photo from Lorek's post. I'm not asking the exact effect to create this, just to demostrate what I mean by saying rim of light. Would've asked in G&N section, but I can't post there.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...ighlight=lorek

Any pointers to books or articles are appreciated as well.

JMHPhotography · 21st of January 2008 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_who

I've been playing with my studio setup (just a few flashes and 2 umbrellas), and I can pretty much execute the basic light setup for porttraits. What I'm interested is the rim light effect I see in so many arty photos and magazines. I fail to creat that thin, yet soft line of light.

Please see this photo from Lorek's post. I'm not asking the exact effect to create this, just to demostrate what I mean by saying rim of light. Would've asked in G&N section, but I can't post there.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...ighlight=lorek

Any pointers to books or articles are appreciated as well.

When all else fails, look at the light pattern and study direction. The photo appears to be lit from the camera left, and behind the model.

dr_who · 21st of January 2008 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by forkball

When all else fails, look at the light pattern and study direction. The photo appears to be lit from the camera left, and behind the model.

Nice hint! What I can't figure out is how to light just a thin line of the skin, yet manage to be so smooth. I tried various things, but I always light up a large area of the skin.

bolantej · 21st of January 2008 (Mon)

there was a thread where someone (I think it was Lorek) tested lighting with an egg, to gain a better understanding without wearing out a model. I'd try that until you get what you want.

Headcase650 · 21st of January 2008 (Mon)

The light has to be close to the subject so it will fall off over a shorter distance. Then meter for the part of the subject thats closest to the light. I hope that makes sense.

JMHPhotography · 23rd of January 2008 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_who

Nice hint! What I can't figure out is how to light just a thin line of the skin, yet manage to be so smooth. I tried various things, but I always light up a large area of the skin.

Well if I were to guess... I'd say that flagging the light off would be an effective way to do this.

freebird · 23rd of January 2008 (Wed)

Yes what forkball said. Thats the way I have seen it done.

Harleypugs · 23rd of January 2008 (Wed)

Make a straw snoot for your flash....

What is that you ask?

http://lightingmods.blogspot.com/200...id-part-1.html

21st of January 2008 (Mon)	#1
dr_who Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 291 IMAGE EDITING OK	Lighting Questions: How to create rim light effect? I've been playing with my studio setup (just a few flashes and 2 umbrellas), and I can pretty much execute the basic light setup for porttraits. What I'm interested is the rim light effect I see in so many arty photos and magazines. I fail to creat that thin, yet soft line of light. Please see this photo from Lorek's post. I'm not asking the exact effect to create this, just to demostrate what I mean by saying rim of light. Would've asked in G&N section, but I can't post there. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...ighlight=lorek Any pointers to books or articles are appreciated as well. __________________ 5D, 50mm F1.4, Sigma 24-70, EF 70-200mm F2.8 IS

21st of January 2008 (Mon)	#4
bolantej Goldmember Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CAlifornia Posts: 3,774 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lighting Questions: How to create rim light effect? there was a thread where someone (I think it was Lorek) tested lighting with an egg, to gain a better understanding without wearing out a model. I'd try that until you get what you want.

21st of January 2008 (Mon)	#5
Headcase650 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,631 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lighting Questions: How to create rim light effect? The light has to be close to the subject so it will fall off over a shorter distance. Then meter for the part of the subject thats closest to the light. I hope that makes sense. __________________ 60D, Canon 18-135 IS, Sigma 10-20 hsm, 24-70 2.8 hsm, 70-200 2.8 hsm, 430EX II, and all the other stuff that goes along with it.

23rd of January 2008 (Wed)	#7
freebird Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,344 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lighting Questions: How to create rim light effect? Yes what forkball said. Thats the way I have seen it done.

23rd of January 2008 (Wed)	#8
Harleypugs I love camera porn.....makes me hawt.... ;-) Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kennesaw GA Posts: 6,471 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lighting Questions: How to create rim light effect? Make a straw snoot for your flash.... What is that you ask? http://lightingmods.blogspot.com/200...id-part-1.html __________________ 5dMKIII - 70-200 2.8 IS MKII - 60D/grip - 580 EX II - G9 Elinchrom 600 RX for sale: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...ight=Elinchrom

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