Language: English

Butterfly Lighting

Lighting that places the main light above the face, front and center, so a small butterfly-shaped shadow forms right under the nose. Shadows under the cheekbones and jawline sharpen the outline of the face, giving the glamorous look of classic Hollywood star portraits. It is also called Hollywood lighting or Paramount lighting.

Lighting positions seen from above. Right behind the camera, about 0.9 m above eye level, it shines down on the front of the face.
Camera view. The front of the face is evenly bright, and deep shadows form under the chin and on the neck.

How it feels

  • Glamour
  • Elegance
  • Classical
  • Charm
  • Clean

When to use it

  • Fashion and beauty shoots
  • Portraits like classic movie stars
  • Cosmetics and jewelry ads
  • Showing a person as beautiful and confident

In the movies

The Avengers (2012) · Source: Marvel Entertainment (YouTube) · Original video

    Not to be confused with

    Flat Lighting
    Also from the front, but flat lighting shines low, near camera height, so there are almost no shadows.
    Clamshell Lighting
    A light in the butterfly position plus a reflector below, filling in even the shadow under the chin.
    Rembrandt Lighting
    In Rembrandt the light is 45° to the side, so half the face sinks into shadow. Butterfly is from the front, so both sides are evenly bright.

    Prompt

    Keyword

    butterfly lighting

    Descriptive

    Butterfly lighting. A key light centered above the face casts a small butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose and defines the cheekbones and jaw, glamorous classic Hollywood portrait.

    Try these combinations

    • Close-up + butterfly: a beauty ad

      Close-up beauty shot, butterfly lighting, glossy lips, clean white background

    • Medium close-up + butterfly: classic Hollywood

      Medium close-up, butterfly lighting, black and white, a 1940s film star in a satin gown

    Related terms