Short lighting, also called narrow lighting, results when the face is turned toward the main light—so you are illuminating the narrower or “short” side of the face from the camera’s perspective. Short lighting has a slimming effect, emphasizing facial contours, because the larger side of the face partially falls off into shadow and is concealed from view. Because of this narrowing effect, short lighting tends to works best for people with average to round faces. People with already narrow features may not look their best when short lit.
