Sidljus

Sidljus is a lighting technique used in photography, cinematography, and stage lighting in which the main light source is positioned to the side of the subject, usually at a 45 to 90 degree angle relative to the camera. This arrangement emphasizes the contours and texture of the subject by creating shadows on the far side while the near side remains lit. The result is a sense of depth and drama.

The quality of sidljus depends on the size and distance of the light and whether it is diffused. Hard sidljus, produced by a small, distant source, yields sharp shadows and strong contrast; soft sidljus, produced by a large diffused source or with diffusion material, smooths transitions and reveals subtler textures. At roughly 45 degrees and slightly above the subject, sidljus is commonly used to create Rembrandt-style lighting in portraits, which features a triangular highlight on the cheek opposite the nose.

In practice, sidljus is often paired with a fill light or a reflector on the opposite side to control contrast, and may be complemented by backlight or rim light to separate the subject from the background. It is widely used for portraits, fashion, product photography, and cinema to sculpt facial features or surfaces and to convey mood or presence. Mastery of sidljus relies on careful adjustment of angle, distance, and diffusion to achieve the desired balance between form and texture.