Rembrandt Photography Lighting Made Easy: A Quick Tutorial

Rembrandt photography lighting is one of the simplest, most effective techniques for lighting portraits.

It’s named after the famous 17th-century Dutch painter and creates a moody, dimensional look that flatters most face shapes.

The best thing: You only need a single light source.

In this quick tutorial, I’ll explain exactly what Rembrandt lighting is, how to set it up, what gear you’ll need, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

You can recreate this lighting style in a studio or simply using a window at home.

Note: This tutorial is part of my new series on the blog, in which I introduce different portrait lighting setups.

If you want to read more about the basics of studio lighting, you can read my previous article on the topic.

But back to Rembrandt lighting!

Before I get to the practial part, let me first explain what Rembrandt photography lighting actually is.

1. What Is Rembrandt Photography Lighting?

Rembrandt lighting is a portrait lighting technique used in many classic portrait shoots.

You can recognise it by the small triangle or diamond-shaped highlight under the eye on the less illuminated side of the face.

This triangle is created by light hitting the subject from the side at an angle.

The technique is named after Rembrandt van Rijn, the famous painter known for using this lighting effect in his paintings to create a dramatic, three-dimensional effect.

Rembrandt lighting is so beautiful because it adds depth and character to your shots, giving them a painterly or dramatic touch.

Here’s one of Rembrandt’s paintings where you can see the effect; look at the triangle on the right side of his face (the less illuminated one):

Self-Portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn

Before I get to the next section…did you know you can download my free portrait photography ebook? More info below:

2. What You’ll Need for Rembrandt Lighting

Luckily, you don’t have to have access to a professional studio to achieve Rembrandt lighting.

You’ll only need the following:

• A camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or even a phone with manual controls)
• One light source, such as a strobe, a speedlight with a softbox, a continuous light, or a simple window
• A reflector (optional) to fill in deep shadows
• A Tripod (optional) for more stability.

What’s so great about Rembrandt lighting is that it doesn’t require expensive tools.

It’s more about positioning than equipment, so don’t worry if you’re working with limited gear.

3. Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Rembrandt Lighting

Here’s how to achieve Rembrandt photography lighting step by step:

1. Position Your Subject

Start by placing your subject at about a 45-degree angle to your camera.

They need to be positioned that way so that one side of the face catches the light while the other remains in the shadow.

2. Set Up Your Light

Position your light source at a 45-degree angle to the subject.

The light source should be slightly above eye level, angled downward towards the face.

Basically, you’re trying to cast a shadow from the nose that meets the cheek shadow on the far side of the face.

You know the light is in the right position if you see a triangle of light under the eye.

You may need to tweak the height and angle to get it right.

Note: The triangle shape should ideally be no wider than the eye and no longer than the nose.

Otherwise, it will look messy and you’ll start to lose the characteristic Rembrandt look.

Here’s a little diagram showing the ideal setup:

Diagram of how to set up Rembrandt photography lighting.

3. Use a Reflector (Optional)

If the shadows are too harsh, you can place a reflector opposite your main light (on the shadowed side of the face).

Ths will help bounce light back and soften the contrast.

If you don’t have a reflector, you can use a piece of white cardboard or foamboard.

4. Camera Settings

You can start with these basic settings and adjust based on your lighting conditions:

• Aperture: f/4 to f/5.6 (for shallow depth of field)
• ISO: 100–400 (keep it low to reduce risk of noise)
• Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec or faster (especially if using flash)

Shoot in manual mode if possible so you have full control over the exposure.

If you would like to learn how to use your camera’s manual mode, check out my “photography basics” posts on shutter speed and aperture.

Another Example of Rembrandt Lighting. Image Credit: Jacopo188, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

4. Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Rembrandt lighting can be a bit fiddly; even a small change in angle can make a big difference.

If you’re not seeing the triangle, have a look at the following tips:

Too Much Shadow
Your light may be too far to the side or too low. Raise it and angle it down more steeply.

No Visible Triangle
Adjust the light angle or ask your subject to turn slightly more towards or away from the camera.

Flat Lighting
Your light might be too close to the camera. Move it off to the side to make it more dimensional.

5. Creative Variations to Try

Once you got the basics down, you can try the following variations:

• Natural Light Version: Use window light from the side with curtains as a diffuser.
• Add a Backlight: Use a rim light or hair light to separate the subject from the background, resulting in a more dramatic look.
• Play With Angles: Try different face shapes, expressions, and angles to see how the light falls.

---

P.S.: Do you enjoy taking self-portraits? Then check out my free ebook below: