How to Set Up Rim Lighting for Photography

Rim lighting is a technique used to give shape to objects in a photograph by backlighting the subject. When it is used in a subtle manner, rim lighting can be barely detectable. When rim lighting is used as an effect, it gives the subject a lighted halo around them and an ethereal look. Rim lighting is most often used to define shapes against a background, but it can also be used to highlight subtle effects of a photograph such as tiny hairs like those on the rim of a flower.

Instructions

Setting up Rim Lighting

1

Place your photographic subject in the environment in which it will be photographed. After you have chosen your background and positioned your subject, the first lighting step you should take is to add rim lighting.

2

Decide how much rim lighting you need in your shot. Subtle rim lighting effects are barely noticeable and serve simply to define the photographic object against the background, especially if the background and subject are both dark-colored. Heavy rim lighting effects will appear as a halo. If you adjust several lights and apply a heavy rim lighting effect around the whole perimeter of the subject, the subject will appear to have an outer glow.

3

Position your lights to create the desired amount of rim lighting. To create a rim lighting effect, the light must come from above the subject, and it must be directed toward the camera. For a more diffused effect, you can use a reflective surface to direct the light. If you've ever been to see a professional portrait photographer, you may have noticed some umbrella-shaped diffusers positioned around the room. These are commonly used to diffuse and even out rim lighting.

4

Adjust your look by playing with the angles and intensity of the lights. Once the light is above your photographic subject and pointed at the camera, the light can be positioned within a 40-degree circular range to further define the desired rim lighting look. Rim lighting can also be achieved below the subject by placing the light below and toward the camera, which creates an eerie, ghostly effect, like the lighting that appears in creepy horror movies.

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Rim lighting is a technique used to give shape to objects in a photograph by backlighting the subject. When it is used in a subtle manner, rim lighting can be barely detectable. When rim lighting is used as an effect, it gives the subject a lighted halo around them and an ethereal look. Rim lighting is most often used to define shapes against a background, but it can also be used to highlight subtle effects of a photograph such as tiny hairs like those on the rim of a flower.

Instructions

Setting up Rim Lighting

1

Place your photographic subject in the environment in which it will be photographed. After you have chosen your background and positioned your subject, the first lighting step you should take is to add rim lighting.

2

Decide how much rim lighting you need in your shot. Subtle rim lighting effects are barely noticeable and serve simply to define the photographic object against the background, especially if the background and subject are both dark-colored. Heavy rim lighting effects will appear as a halo. If you adjust several lights and apply a heavy rim lighting effect around the whole perimeter of the subject, the subject will appear to have an outer glow.

3

Position your lights to create the desired amount of rim lighting. To create a rim lighting effect, the light must come from above the subject, and it must be directed toward the camera. For a more diffused effect, you can use a reflective surface to direct the light.

Enhance your photography skill,The Top Secret Photography Techniques

. If you've ever been to see a professional portrait photographer, you may have noticed some umbrella-shaped diffusers positioned around the room. These are commonly used to diffuse and even out rim lighting.
4

Adjust your look by playing with the angles and intensity of the lights. Once the light is above your photographic subject and pointed at the camera, the light can be positioned within a 40-degree circular range to further define the desired rim lighting look. Rim lighting can also be achieved below the subject by placing the light below and toward the camera, which creates an eerie, ghostly effect, like the lighting that appears in creepy horror movies.

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