What is profile, or rim lighting, and how, and why is it used to create classical lighting portraits
Profile, or rim lighting is a form of classic portrait lighting that uses rim lights, and fill lights that are positioned behind the subject of a portrait in order to highlight half of the subjects face. When using profile lighting, the subject should only show half of their face, and have their head turned at a 90 degree angle from the camera. The key light must be completely out of view and blocked by the subject of the portrait while facing 45 degrees off of the subjects face. You can also use a fill light to see the shadows behind, and all around the subject, and lighten the dark half of the subjects face in order to enhance the portrait. The purpose of profile or rim lighting is to brighten the back of the subject in order to separate them from the dark and shaded background. Profile and rim lighting is also used to enhance and highlight the edge of the subjects face, nose, and the back of their hair and neck. You can position the camera facing half of the subject at eye level, while the rim light is placed behind, or beside the subject of the portrait. Profile, or rim lighting is overall used to create a dramatic, darkened, and beautiful classic lighting portrait that can convey many unique emotions, and reveal many different moods, and reactions.