Lighting & Flash — 8 Terms Defined

Background Light Lighting & Flash f-stops (EV) A light aimed at the backdrop rather than the subject, controlling how bright or dark the background renders.

Backlighting Lighting & Flash Placing the main light source behind the subject, so it faces the camera rather than illuminating the subject's front.

Barn Doors Lighting & Flash Four hinged flaps mounted on the front of a light to cut its beam into a rectangle.

Beauty Dish Lighting & Flash cm A shallow metal parabolic reflector with a central deflector, producing light that is soft in transition yet crisp in its specular highlights.

Blue Hour Lighting & Flash degrees (sun elevation) The twilight period before sunrise and after sunset when the sun is below the horizon and the sky glows an even, saturated blue. Sun elevation ≈ −4° to −6°

Bounce Flash Lighting & Flash stops Aiming a flash at a ceiling or wall so the reflected light, not the direct beam, illuminates the subject.

Broad Lighting Lighting & Flash A portrait approach in which the side of the face turned toward the camera is the lit side.

Butterfly Lighting Lighting & Flash A portrait pattern with the key placed directly in front of and above the face, casting a small butterfly-shaped shadow beneath the nose.