What is cross lighting photography and how to set up?

Cross lighting photography is an easy way to make your photos look more interesting. It adds depth with shadows and highlights. This method is great for everyday shooting and many new photographers start with this setup. This article is a beginner guide to it, we will explore the following:

• What is cross lighting photography?
• What are its benefits?
• How to set it up?

What is cross lighting photography?

The cross lighting in photography refers to placing two light sources on opposite sides of the subject, typically angled around 45 degrees from the camera. This lighting technique creates strong highlights and shadows to make the subject look more three-dimensional. It’s a great way to show texture and shape, often used in portraits, product photos, and even in films.

The two lighting sources used in cross lighting photography can be either natural or artificial. When using artificial options, continuous lights or strobes are the most common choices. Here are the two main components of crossing lighting:

• Key or main light: This is the primary source placed in front of the subject, slightly off to one side. It provides most of the illumination and helps define the subject’s shape. For portraits, using a soft box or umbrella can create a softer, more flattering effect.
• Rim or separation light: This secondary source is positioned behind the subject on the opposite side. It creates a bright edge along the subject’s outline, helps separate the subject from the background, and adds depth to the image.

Cross light photography VS cross polarized light photography

Cross light and cross polarized light are both lighting techniques, but they serve different purposes and produce distinct effects. Cross light means the illumination comes from the side and moves across the surface. It makes every bump and flaw show up clearly with strong shadows. This lighting technique is not good for beauty shots but very useful for showing texture.

Cross polarization is a method that uses two polarizing filters, one on the light source and one on the camera lens, to remove unwanted reflections. When the filters are set at right angles to each other, they block reflective light, reduce glare, and make surface details easier to see.

Below is a comparison table showing their key differences in effect, method, lighting equipment, and applications.

Table: Difference between cross light and cross polarized light in photography

Differences	Cross lighting	Cross polarized lighting
Effect	Adds strong shadows and contrast Creates dramatic effect Enhances texture and depth	Eliminates reflections Boosts colors Shows surface details clearly
Technical method	Positions two light sources at opposite angles	Sets two polarizing filters at 90 degrees to each other
Lighting equipment	Unpolarized light sources like flash or continuous lights	Polarizing filters on light and lens
Application	Portraits or product photography, film dramatic shooting	Medical, product or macro photography

What are the benefits of using it in photography?

Cross lighting photography adds depth, brings out textures, creates mood, and gives your image a more professional and polished look. Here’s a breakdown of its key benefits.

Adds depth and dimension to photographs

Cross lighting technique adds depth and dimension to enhance the marketability of outdoor photography. When sunlight hits the side of your subject, it creates shadows and highlights. This lighting effect makes the scene look more three-dimensional and makes the photo feel more real. It helps draw people in and appeals more to potential buyers.

Highlights texture for more visual interest

It brings out texture in a way that flat lighting cannot. Whether it’s the rough surface of a mountain, the detailed bark of a tree, or the weathered surface of a building, its side lighting enhances these features. This adds realism and artistry to the image. People often prefer images with rich textures, as they bring more life and depth to a space.

Creates strong contrast and mood

Another benefit of cross lighting photography is the enhanced contrast and mood. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow adds mood and drama to the image. This helps people feel more connected to the photo. Pictures that make viewers feel something usually sell better. The strong contrast also keeps the details clear in the mage and make it stands out.

Adds a polished, professional touch

Finally, it gives the photograph a polished and professional look. The crossing lighting in the image shows the photographer’s skillful use of light. These photos with professional lighting often appear more polished and are more likely to gain the recognition and appreciation of buyers.

How to create cross lighting photography?

Creating cross lighting photography requires properly positioning lights to add depth and texture to your subject. Here, we’ll go over four common setups to help you get the best results.

Setup 1: Cross lighting photography with two artificial lights

The simplest cross lighting setup can be achieved with two artificial lights. You can use continuous lights and strobes to create dramatic highlights and shadows.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Place Light A and Light B diagonally across from each other, with the model standing between them.
2. Light B should shine from behind the model, lighting up one side of the body and creating a clear outline.
3. Light A should face the model’s face, lighting it up in a way that creates soft shadows, similar to Rembrandt lighting.

Setup 2: Use a video light as the key light and the sun as the rim light

To do cross lighting photography, you can also use a video light as the key light and the natural sunlight as the secondary light source. This simple and flexible setup is particularly useful for outdoor shoots during golden hour, as the soft, warm light from the sun naturally creates a beautiful rim light around your subject.

Here are the steps to do it:

1. Position a portable LED video light just outside the left side of the frame. This will be your key light.
2. Let the sun act as the secondary light from the right side, creating a rim light effect around the subject.
3. Balance the brightness of the video light and the sunlight to create the desired effect.

Setup 3: Use the sun as the key light

You can also create cross lighting by using the sun as your main light source and adding an off-camera video light or flash as the rim light. This setup is great for outdoor photography when the sun is bright and directional.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Position your subject so that the sunlight hits them from the front side at a slight angle. This becomes your key light.
2. Place your artificial light behind the subject on the opposite side to create a rim light effect.
3. Adjust your camera settings and the brightness of your light to balance it with the sunlight.

Setup 4: Cross lighting with a video light and a reflector

The final cross lighting photography setup uses just one video light and a reflector. It might take some trial and error to get the reflector angle just right, but it’s a great exercise for learning how to shape and control light.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Put a flash on the right side of your subject.
2. Position the reflector on the left side of the subject to bounce the light back as the key light.
3. Move the reflector until it fills in the shadows and lights the face evenly.
4. Use sunlight coming from the back right.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cross lighting photography is a simple yet effective technique to make your subject stand out. It adds depth, highlights textures, and creates strong contrast. With a bit of practice, you can use this technique to bring a new creative dimension to your photos.