• The key light is the main light which determines the shadows and principal highlights.  Experimentation will show why it is generally best to have the key light fairly close to the camera, rarely more than 45 degrees from the camera/subject line, and above the subject's eye-line.

• The fill light is the secondary light, which "fills" the shadows, making them less intense.  Typically, the fill is a broader, softer light than the key; if the fill is too hard and directional, you  run the risk of conflicting shadows.  Sometimes the fill light is substituted by a reflector, which serves the same function by reflecting light from the key light back onto the subject's shadow side.

• The effects light is used to emphasize particular points in a subject like creating highlights or backlighting hair, as well as differentiating the subject from the background.  Normally these are small highly directional lights.

      Key light alone                        Fill light alone                    Effects light alone

Key, fill, and effects light combined together

Try experimenting with one, two, or three lights, as well as their placement in relation to your subject to create a desirable effect.

Light three-quarters right               Light full right               Light three-quarters behind

There are three fundamental guidelines for using studio lighting:

1. There should be only one set of shadows, and they should all point in the same direction.

2. Whenever possible, the background should be far enough from the subject so that it can be lit separately.

3. Whenever a shadow is unavoidable, it should be treated as part of the composition.

When shooting portraits:

• Be aware of placing lights too high or too much to the side or they will create large shadows around the eye sockets and nose of your subject
• The tip of the nose in a three-quarter profile should either break the cheek line decisively, or be well clear of it; if it is level with the cheek-line, it often looks awkward.

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