3/4 back/frontal...

[Guest dbledwn11]

I often hear of lighting that is 3/4's or a 1/4 frontal, sometimes back etc. - originally I thought this was to do with distance of the key light, but I suspect now it has more to do with how much of the subject is lit - is this right?

[Laurent Andrieux]

It's the direction of light. Frontal light comes from in front of the subject, lateral light comes from the side, 3/4 is in beetween the 2 and backlight is from behind. (if you consider the subject is facing toward the camera, it's easier to understand)

[Guest dbledwn11]

thanks for the quick response laurent - always there when needed.

i know the question is a fairly basic one but sometimes you find yourself doubting even the simplest of things.

 

thanks again.

[David Mullen ASC]

3/4 frontal means simply that 1/4 is in shadow and 3/4's of the face is lit.

[Peter J DeCrescenzo]

3/4 frontal means simply that 1/4 is in shadow and 3/4's of the face is lit.

 

Like this?

 

(That's Lynn Twist speaking at the Green Festival in San Francisco earlier this month, shot with my DSR-450WSL camcorder in 60i 16:9 mode. The lighting was provided by the venue.)

http://www.greenfestivals.com/green_bio.php?bioid=1612

 

All the best,

 

- Peter DeCrescenzo

[David Mullen ASC]

Yes, although once you move to the side, it gets confusing since in this case, only about half the face facing the camera is in the key light, even though 3/4's of it is lit if you looked at the face dead-on.

[Guest dbledwn11]

many thanks all. and yes i see what you mean David about about shooting from the side and only being able to see 1/2 the face anyway. all good.