skimmer lights in studio set up

ImissFilm

Can anyone tell me what "skimmer lights" refer to in a studio lighting set-up? Was reading a book that detailed and diagramed lighting set up. it, main light, hair light, fill light. There are also skimmer lights used in each set up. Of course the book doesn't describe what the skimmer light dies or is and I can't find it referenced anywhere else

thanks

hgernhardtjr

ImissFilm wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what "skimmer lights" refer to

I've heard some photogs refer to ACCENT lights as "skim" lights or "rim" lights (I think I've even heard the term "kicker" used); they are used to accent the edge of the background and/or add separation between subject and background, especially a dark subject against a dark background ... "kick"ing the subject forward and seperating the subject from the background. I suspect that is what is meant. A hair light could be one. Would have been nice if you referenced the book so we could be sure.

ImissFilm

hgernhardtjr wrote: »

I've heard some photogs refer to ACCENT lights as "skim" lights or "rim" lights (I think I've even heard the term "kicker" used); they are used to accent the edge of the background and/or add separation between subject and background, especially a dark subject against a dark background ... "kick"ing the subject forward and seperating the subject from the background. I suspect that is what is meant. A hair light could be one. Would have been nice if you referenced the book so we could be sure.

thanks Henry,

The book is titled
"The Art of Black and White Portrait Photography"

by Oscar Lozoya

your description sounds right for how it appears the diagrams have the skimmer lights set up. They are usually set up to the left and right in a lateral line slightly behind the figure. the lights point at a slight angle away from the backdrop (which in this book always seems to be a dark one) towards the figure and in his photos seem to highlight the edges of the figure and in turn creating a defined edge against the dark backdrop....

ok... just found this description to what I think these lights are... thanks to you

"The back light (a.k.a. the rim, hair, or shoulder light) shines on the subject from behind, often (but not necessarily) to one side or the other. It gives the subject a rim of light, serving to separate the subject from the background and highlighting contours."

"Back light or rim light is different from a kick in that a kick (or kicker) contributes to a portion of the shading on the visible surface of the subject, while a rim light only creates a thin outline around the subject without necessarily hitting the front (visible) surface of the subject at all."

thanks again.