Lighting setup
Loop lighting
Loop is the most-used portrait lighting pattern in the world. Key light 30–45° to the side of the subject, slightly above eye level, producing a small loop-shaped shadow of the nose that never touches the mouth. It flatters almost any face and works with one light plus a bounce.
Setup
- Place the key. 60cm+ softbox or window 30–45° off the camera-subject line, slightly above eye level.
- Watch the nose shadow. It should be a small loop pointing toward the mouth, not touching it. Too high — shadow disappears. Too low — shadow reaches the lip.
- Add fill. White bounce on the shadow side, chest height, angled up. Keeps shadows soft without flattening.
- Expose. ISO 100–400, f/2.8–f/5.6, 1/125–1/200.
When to use it
Everything: corporate headshots, family portraits, wedding formals, personal brand, editorial. It's the safe default when you don't know the subject's face yet.
FAQ
What is loop lighting?
A portrait pattern with the key light placed 30–45° to the side and slightly above eye level. It leaves a small loop-shaped shadow of the nose on the cheek that never touches the mouth.
Loop vs Rembrandt lighting?
Same family. Loop is a smaller angle (30–45°) and leaves the shadow separate from the mouth; Rembrandt pushes to 45°+ and the nose shadow meets the cheek shadow to form a triangle.
Why is loop lighting so popular?
It flatters more face shapes than any other pattern — soft but with dimension. It's the default for headshots, weddings, families, and personal-brand shoots.
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