Loop Lighting
A portrait pattern in which the nose casts a small loop-shaped shadow onto the cheek without touching the cheek shadow.
In depth
Loop sits between butterfly and Rembrandt: the key is about 30 to 45° to the side and slightly above eye level. It is the most generally flattering pattern because it gives clear three-dimensional modelling without the drama of a fully connected shadow, which is why it is the default for corporate and family portraiture.
Examples in practice
A softbox at 40° left and slightly above eye level drops a short nose shadow that stops well short of the cheek's shadow edge.