Photography Composition - 12 Composition Rules for Your Photos to Shine By James Carren

Butterfly Lighting
Butterfly lighting is so-called because the arrangement of the lights creates a shape
reminiscent of a butterfly on the model’s face, via a shadow under the nose. This shadow
is one of the few that is actually very flattering, as it makes cheekbones appear higher. It’s
often used in glamour or beauty shots. It will also help if your model has a weak chin.
This lighting setup is very simple and only requires one light, positioned about five feet
from the model, as with the basic setup. Place your light directly in front of the model and
then raise it up a few feet, angling it downward to induce the shadow. If you feel that the
shadow effect isn’t strong enough, increase the power little by little until you are satisfied.