Once the main, fill. and background lighting is established, additional lights may be added to the setup. One such light is a hair light. A hair light is usually a small lighting unit placed on a boom so it shines down from above and behind the subject. It is used to lighten the hair (or hat) and shoulders, add detail to the hair, and separate the subject from the background, presenting the illusion of a third dimension (fig. 7-8).

The intensity of the hair light varies with the subject since it is dictated not only by the color of the person's hair (or hat) but also by the amount of sheen the hair has.

The hair light is usually placed on the side of the subject opposite the main light and behind the subject. It should be used from an angle about 6 to 8 feet high and from a position close to the center of the subject area without the light stand or boom showing in the picture. Light from this unit should not be allowed to spill over onto the forehead or tip of the nose. The hair light normally has a snoot attached so light from it does not strike the camera lens.

Be sure the hair light is turned off when making any exposure readings. This light does not affect your basic film exposure, but it could influence your meter.

PHC Carl Hinkle 302.312

Figure 7-8. Effects of hair light.

Flexibility of Three-Quarter Lighting

Three-quarter lighting can be used with almost any type of face. It is flexible because once it is set, the subject can move his head from full face to profile and the lighting remains good at any point you choose to pose the sitter. The degree of flexibility is determined by the type of light used (spot or flood) and the size and type of reflector used.

SIDE LIGHTING

With side lighting, the face is lit more intensely on one side than the other (fig. 7-9). This type of lighting is well suited for young women that have smooth skin and regular facial features, or for men whose rugged character lines should be emphasized. As a Navy Photographer's Mate, you will not normally use side lighting for official portraits. To learn more about side lighting, refer to the reference list in the back of this training manual.