Lighting Basics — Rim Light (Toy Photo Example)
I am showing off a very simple trick I use in my toy photography. You can use this for all sorts of photography but it’s widely used in portraiture. That’s where I learned it and now I am applying it to portraits — of toys that is!
A rim light is a light that is placed behind the subject. It is usually pointed at the back of the subject. It will give separation between the subject and the background (creating the illusion of depth) and depending on how much ambient light you have and how strong the rim light is, it will also probably highlight the contours of the subject but placing a “rim” of light around the subject.
I use this for the main purpose of creating dramatic portraits of my toys.
For example:
I have one image straight out of camera that is exposed by ambient light. You’ll note the front of the image has lots of detail but there is no separation from the background. You’ll also note that the background is more gray than black because the exposure I am using allows for the front fill to be the key light. Some of that light spills onto the black background.
In the second image, also straight out of camera, you’ll see the background has gone black and the character has a highlight around the head and back of his shoulders. The rim light is high above him and behind him.
You can experiment and put the rim light anywhere. If you put it right behind the character’s head it will be very dramatic.
In this case, the effect is somewhat subtle but it accomplishes what I wanted it to. I envisioned this final image with a lens flare (that I rendered in Boris FX) and I wanted that flare behind the character so the rim light was necessary to make that believable.
The idea is to create the look you are hoping to achieve. The rim light is often used as part of a three-point lighting setup where you have a key light, a fill light and the rim light.
I like using it as my only artificial light sources (as I’ve done here) to make a more dramatic image.
Remember, toys are joy.
For a list of my toy photo gear and props go to:
bit.ly/toyphotogear
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