How to make butterfly lighting?

Butterfly lighting is a popular lighting technique in portrait photography that creates a distinctive, flattering shadow under the subject's nose, resembling the shape of a butterfly. It’s known for its ability to highlight the cheekbones and jawline, giving the face a sculpted, elegant look. The technique is often used in fashion and beauty photography, but it can also be used in home decor or DIY projects. Here's how you can create butterfly lighting, whether you're taking a photo or using it for other design purposes.

Steps to Create Butterfly Lighting in Photography:

1. Set Up Your Key Light

The key light is the main light source in butterfly lighting. To achieve this effect, place your light source directly in front of the subject, but slightly above their head.

• Positioning: The light should be positioned around 45 degrees above the subject's eye level and slightly off-center (either left or right), but still in front of the subject. This will cast a shadow under the nose, creating the characteristic "butterfly" shape.
• Distance: The light should be far enough away that it illuminates the entire face without being too harsh or too soft.

2. Use a Soft Light Source

For the most flattering effect, use soft lighting. A harsh light will create deep shadows, while soft light produces smooth, gentle shadows, which is more flattering for portraits.

• Softbox or Umbrella: A softbox, umbrella, or a diffuser will help soften the light and reduce hard shadows. These tools distribute the light evenly and create a gentle wraparound effect on the subject's face.
• Natural Light: If you're using natural light, position the subject near a window with sheer curtains or use a reflector to soften the light coming from the window.

3. Adjust the Angle of the Light

Butterfly lighting relies heavily on the angle at which the light hits the subject’s face. The goal is to create shadows under the nose, so the light should be positioned in such a way that it creates a symmetrical butterfly-shaped shadow beneath the nose.

• Angle Adjustment: Move the light higher or lower, depending on the subject's features. If the shadows aren’t pronounced enough, slightly raise the light. If they’re too harsh, lower it or move it further away.

4. Add Fill Light (Optional)

While the key light creates the butterfly effect, a fill light can help soften the shadows and balance out the light across the face, especially around the eyes and chin.

• Fill Light Position: If you're using a fill light, place it below or to the side of the subject, but keep it less intense than the key light. A reflector can also be used to bounce light back onto the face to reduce shadow contrast.
• Reflector: A reflector (silver, white, or gold) can be used beneath the subject’s face to bounce light into the shadows without adding direct lighting. This will keep the shadows from becoming too deep.

5. Check the Shadows

The hallmark of butterfly lighting is the butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose. This shadow should be relatively small, delicate, and symmetrical. Adjust the position of the key light until the shadows look just right.

• Small Shadows: The shadow should not be too pronounced or large. The goal is a small shadow under the nose, while the rest of the face is softly lit.

Example Setup:

1. Key Light: Softbox or umbrella light placed at a 45-degree angle above and in front of the subject.
2. Fill Light: A reflector or a secondary soft light placed beneath the subject to fill in the shadows.
3. Background: A simple, neutral-colored background is ideal for a clean and polished look.

Using Butterfly Lighting in Interior Design:

While butterfly lighting is commonly associated with photography, you can also use this lighting technique in interior spaces to create a soft, flattering ambiance for areas like hallways, entryways, or living rooms.

1. Wall-Mounted Lighting: Install wall-mounted sconces or pendant lights at a 45-degree angle above a specific spot or feature (e.g., a piece of artwork or a sculptural object). This creates shadows on the wall below, mimicking the butterfly lighting effect.
2. Adjustable Ceiling Lights: Use adjustable ceiling lights to direct the light at a slight downward angle, creating the characteristic butterfly-shaped shadow while illuminating the room.

Tips for Butterfly Lighting in Photography:

• Camera Settings: In portrait photography, use a shallow depth of field to keep the focus on the subject’s face and highlight the shadows under the nose. Set the camera’s aperture to a lower f-stop (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4) to achieve a soft background blur.
• Model Positioning: Have your model look directly into the light or slightly off-center to create a flattering effect. Avoid having them look up or down too much, as this will alter the shadow placement.

Conclusion:

Butterfly lighting is a powerful technique that can be used to enhance portrait photography, adding a professional and glamorous touch. By carefully positioning the light above and in front of the subject, using soft lighting, and adjusting angles to achieve the characteristic "butterfly" shadow under the nose, you can create an elegant, flattering effect. This technique can also be adapted for use in interior lighting design for a softer, more artistic atmosphere in any room.