What the hell is a kicker? What's a key light? The names photographers use for studio lights.

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Everyone has a name for every position where they place a flash on location and in the studio. But not everyone agrees on every name and this jargon can be sort of confusing.
Before we get started today, for the purpose of this discussion, we’re going to talk about lighting positions as hours on a clock with the photographer standing at 6 o’clock and the subject in the middle.
The key light or main light got their name because they are the key or main light in your set up. It’s normally going to be the light hitting your subject’s face and it’s brightness is going to determine your exposure. Often times people will use a softbox or beauty dish for this type of light.
The key light is usually going to be somewhere between four and 8 o’clock and if you’re using a beauty dish it doesn’t have to be at 6 o’clock, it can be wherever you wanna put it, it’s just a modifier like every other modifier after all.
Side Light
And if you place your key light at 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock it will often be referred to as a side light, which will result in split light, where only half of your subjects face is illuminated. I’m personally not a fan of this type of lighting, so you won’t see it very often on my timeline, mostly because I want there to be light on both of my subjects eyes. Side lighting can be very unflattering for people with bad skin, because it will show all the texture in their complexion.
The phrase “key light” should not be confused with “high key lighting,” which just means that you have a low contrast scene that’s fairly evenly lit, probably with two equally bright key lights, one on your left and one on your right.
Fill
Fill is simply a light that you use to fill in the shadows of your scene. Often times it’s going to be in a soft modifier and a lot darker than your key or main light and the reason is so that it doesn’t end up creating its own shadow and it fills in the shadows from your other lights more evenly. You can also bounce a hard light off of a ceiling or a Vflat.
Rim
A rim light is a light that creates a rim around your subject. Normally it’s going to be placed at 12’o clock behind your model and its position will be obscured by their head or body so that you don’t end up seeing it in the camera. This light is going to create a halo around there figure and maybe some of it will wrap around a little bit if they move slightly to one side. But the point of this light is to separate the subject from the background.
Kicker = edge
Some people like to interchange the words rim light, kicker and edge light. The purpose of this type of light is to “edge out” your subject by creating a highlight around the edge of their body and or head on the same side that you’ve placed this “kicker. This will separate your subject from the background and also add some three dimensionality to your shot. I personally think that the phrase rim light should only used for a light placed at 12 o’clock, whereas an edge light or a kicker can be placed at anywhere between 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock, but not 12.”
Background lights
If you want to control the light of your background, you’re going to need a background light. You can do this with anywhere between one and four lights. I’m sure some industrious person could find a reason to use more.
So if you want to use one background light, it’s very common to place it behind your subjects at 12 o’clock pointed at 12 o’clock. if you point near the bottom of the background, it’s going to create a gradient from the bottom to the top, if you point it at the middle of the background it’s going to create a circle of light right behind your subject. Most people will use a small reflector, some will use a grid and others may mix it up with a gel.
If you want to light your background more evenly, you could use two lights one on each side - one low and one high pointed generally at the center of the background, left to right, which will do a pretty good job. But if you want to light a white background extremely evenly some people will use four lights and umbrellas, one high and one low on each side. You’ll also see photographers shine one or two light into a v-flat, on each side of the backdrop.
Hair Light
A few years ago someone was assisting me and he thought that a hair light was a light that lit the front of the persons hair, which I could totally understand.
The hair light is simply a light that you place at 12 o’clock above your backdrop or bloomed above and behind your subject, pointing down towards the top of their head, in order to create a highlight that will separate them from the background. It will also probably preserve detail in their hair that otherwise would have disappeared.
Diagrams made with Sylights www.sylights.com/
Music: Evolution by Bensound bensound.com/

[@galensinkey]

This was the most helpful lighting instruction I've seen so far

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! That is great to hear.

[@MichaelCTruth]

​Can the edge light touch the models nose? ​@@JohnGress

[@VanessaCruzPhotographyLLC]

After years doing photography am still very bad at lighting. I really appreciate this video because you have this thing, of explaining with such clarity its very easy to learn. Thank You

[@JohnGress]

That's great to hear and I hope it helped! Keep practicing and trying new things. You'll get there.

[@Beautybyjorge]

Thank you so much for these videos John

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure!

[@asmitasandip3033]

I love the way you keep it simple, so everyone can understand it. Thanks a lot. You saved me once again☺

[@JohnGress]

Glad to hear that! Thank you!

[@KeysPete1]

You have a very clear and concise way to teach. I was so confused when starting out with different terms for the same lighting from different people. A big thumbs up from me 👍

[@JohnGress]

Awesome, thank you so much!

[@yojones515]

Thank you! Thank you! I am literally a toddler in my photography development and this simple, highly illustrative video helped tremendously.

[@JohnGress]

That’s great! Glad it was helpful!

[@71whitey]

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[@JohnGress]

Thanks man! Happy Christmas and happy new year! Your comment really made my day. 😊😊😊

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[@John-tm9vv]

I enjoy the way you explain the techniques of photography, thank you.

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure. I hope it was helpful!

[@sjv]

I always appreciate clear, concise descriptions!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Scott!

[@EliInfante]

Another gem John! Thanks for creating this :)

[@JohnGress]

Thanks man! I really appreciate it!!

[@jaimesilva3934]

Thank's for clarifying the names for separation lights. I always named Rim light to the side lights. You're explanation makes sense 👍

[@JohnGress]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you! I think people will still call them rim lights, but there is a big difference to me between an edge highlight on one side and a complete outline.

[@mateodillon9412]

Actually yes, this was indeed really helpful, thanks

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! Great to hear.

[@rebeccab6791]

Thank you thank you thank you!!! This was SO helpful.

[@JohnGress]

You are so welcome! That is great to hear!

[@sastrydasigi7010]

Another great video with clear information. Thanks, John!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@otsentertainment1601]

Extremely helpful! Thank you!

[@JohnGress]

That’s great to hear!

[@yanafridabinaev]

What a GREAT Video John! Very very helpful!!!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! I am glad it helped!

[@brianstalter6569]

Excellent breakdown. I appreciate the in-depth explanations.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@kamilkubalik7762]

Thank you John and greetings from Czech Republic

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much Kamil!

[@Abel2670]

Great tutorial, simple and to the point

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@justfeelitcreatives]

one of the best teacher... thanks JOHN. Thanks a TON

[@JohnGress]

Wow! Thank you so much!

[@rithocreative6949]

So informative. Thank you.

[@JohnGress]

Glad it was helpful!

[@beautybylati]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@JohnGress]

Glad it was helpful!

[@laxmanp8147]

Thanks brother ..easy to understand ....

[@JohnGress]

That is great to hear! Thank you!

[@samuelkellenberger5786]

A very clear and literally enlightening video 😉

[@JohnGress]

Great to hear it! Thank you so much!

[@elenapanus6638]

Thank you, very informative, love your style, voice, smile... Best Tutor💙💛

[@JohnGress]

Aww thanks Elena 😊

[@SusanneGeert]

Such a great video, clearly explained.

[@JohnGress]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks Susanne!

[@kylehislipstudio3280]

Clear as a bell. Thanks!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@joshuadelawrence85]

Love the video. Good to know. Need to get a primary flash pro photo or equivalent flash. Then build off that

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I chose to switch from Porfoto to Elinchrom almost two years ago. Here is what I use - johngress.com/more-information/whats-in-our-bag/

[@JohnGress]

These light are particularly great - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ7dooWjfa-ihLc

[@joshuadelawrence85]

@@JohnGress Hey John I looked this up tonight because I am coming around to being able to afford lighting and these are no longer available on amazon and B&H I CCP the name of the light in their search and it doesn't come up.

[@mohammedmushtaq1786]

Thank you for another great instructional video, learning a lot from your videos. You are very inspiring.

[@JohnGress]

That is so nice of you to say. Thank you!

[@eddieokon4434]

Credible! Thanks for sharing

[@JohnGress]

My pleasure! Thank you so much!

[@andreassalomo]

good insight, thanks!

[@JohnGress]

Glad it was helpful!

[@beauphomasterpiece3795]

Could the hair light be used interchangeably as the rim light ? They seem to do very similar things

[@JohnGress]

I could see people using them interchangeably, but i think the rim light would be lower than your subjects head and the hair light would be above it.

[@PFB-yo6wi]

Love this!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@PFB-yo6wi]

@@JohnGress More than welcome, John. I love the simplicity of your approach to teaching it. And yet the results are beyond phenomenal. A lot for me to aspire to achieve. Keep them coming please, John and/or consider an online tutorial. I'd be keen!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I am sure there will be a video a week for some time to come and a tutorial in 2021!

[@holdengreen442]

This is super useful, thank you!! I've been trying to learn more about al the different lighting situations, but the loose use of terms has made it harder. Also, who is the model at 0:57? I've got a shoot in mind that he would be great for! Thanks!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! instagram.com/evanbocock?igshid=1hkwnom7vkhpa

[@LisaRettenbacher]

Wonderful video as always! I would love to know how you light your videos. i love your video lighting setup. It has got such a warm tone to it and makes me feel so comfortable immediately

[@JohnGress]

Awesome! Thank you! This video was shot in RAW with a Canon C200 at 1/48th of a second, f1.4 ISO 200. The lens was a Sigma Art 50mm f1.4 aimed through a teleprompter. The main light was an #Aputure 300D dialed way down to 15% in a 35" Aputure light dome, the hair light was a 120D in a Mola Setti Beauty dish and the background was ham handedly lit with a 120D through a cucoloris. I think having the main modifier turned all the way down made it green, so I had to add more magenta and warmth over all. Often times I use my Elinchrom 120cm Lite Motiv or 190cm indirect octa. The later tends to look like evenly lit daylight but I like the night time feel in this video better so I will probably use this lighting going forward but I will use a 120D in the main modifier and I sometimes I may bounce a background light off the ceiling so it looks more like day time just to mix things up.

[@rbelatamas]

thank you so much ❤

[@JohnGress]

You're welcome 😊

[@beauphomasterpiece3795]

Thanks because I’ve been wondering why they are used differently

[@JohnGress]

Thank you!

[@Drinckx2]

Very good video, clearly explained. A lot of these terms get interchanged - as you point out, one person's rim light is another person's kicker, or point toward the hair light being a specifically placed kicker. Perhaps there should be an international agreement on what to call specific lights based on their position and intensity. Good stuff. I always tell my students that the key light only becomes a 'key light' when you add an extra light - it's defined by its role in a 2 light or more lighting set-up. If you use one light, it's just 'the light'.

[@JohnGress]

Ha. Like street signs! Thanks for teaching me that there is no main light in a one light set up!

[@ezielAraujo]

Excelente conteúdo!!

[@JohnGress]

Muito Obrigado!

[@Isaypreach]

Sooo is a high key light a light that is raised aboved the subject be it left or right?

[@JohnGress]

Even though the work high is in the name, the elevation of the light or lights isn't part of the equation. As i said at 1:53 "The phrase “key light” should not be confused with “high key lighting,” which just means that you have a low contrast scene that’s fairly evenly lit, probably with two equally bright key lights, one on your left and one on your right."

[@jeffereyjimenez6439]

Search for Mark Cleghorn. He clearly explains High key, Low key, and Mid key lighting and proper common sense light placement. Good luck!

[@joshuadelawrence85]

He john I live about 2 hours out of San francisco and I would love to get involved in sport photography and I would love to see you release videos on advice and maybe how you got into professional sports.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Josh! I will add it to the list.

[@joshuadelawrence85]

@@JohnGress Another thing I would like to know how to contact you and have a conversation. I am more of a underwater photographer. I dive closed circuit rebreathers and I am actually ranked as a professional diver. I have the ability to teach underwater photography and assist in teaching diving. However I am planning on starting a new youtube channel through my sponsors backing GoPro that is unique and no one else does. I would just love to talk about it without it being broadcasted.

[@HURPSYYEMRAY1]

Tnk you

[@JohnGress]

Thank you!

[@marvelchuruk7052]

"Call your mom..." ...in other words, be nice 😇😁 Thanks for the video John, lllike! 😊👍

[@JohnGress]

Lol I couldn't have put it better myself! No trolling and call your mom! Thank you so much!