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Realistic Male Portrait Lighting Reference

This interactive portrait reference has enough facial detail to make every lighting decision you make count. The features, the planes, the surface variation. All of it responds to the lights you place and the angles you choose.

Build dramatic rim lighting, classic Rembrandt setups, soft editorial portraits, hard split lighting, or anything in between. Add lights, change their position, adjust the intensity, and study how each one changes the read of the face.

Orbit the camera anywhere you want, dial in the exact angle your composition needs, and light it however the scene demands.

Want to know what’s under the skin? Houdon’s Écorché Head Interactive Reference strips this face back to the muscle.
Toggle Info: I
Toggle info: i
Double click to drop a light
Click-and-drag to move a light
Right click objects for options
Precision Controls
Camera Angle Presets: C
Toggle Perspective: P
Randomize Scene: R
Randomize Lights: Shift + R
Value Steps: V
Undo: Cmd + Z
Redo: Cmd + Shift + Z
Save Setup: Cmd + S
Labels → Scene Lock: L
Learn & Track
Overview → Timer: T
Reset scene
Beta: Saved setups (N)
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Realistic portrait of African American man with rim and accent lighting on right side.

Realistic Male Portrait Lighting Reference

This interactive portrait reference has enough facial detail to make every lighting decision you make count. The features, the planes, the surface variation. All of it responds to the lights you place and the angles you choose.

Build dramatic rim lighting, classic Rembrandt setups, soft editorial portraits, hard split lighting, or anything in between. Add lights, change their position, adjust the intensity, and study how each one changes the read of the face.

No more scrolling through endless photo libraries hoping to find a face lit the right way. Orbit the camera anywhere you want, dial in the exact angle your composition needs, and light it however the scene demands.
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