Fill Light
Category: Lighting, Photography Technique
Definition: A secondary light source used to reduce the intensity of shadows created by the key light, filling in dark areas to reveal detail without creating new shadows. Typically softer and less intense than the key light.
Why It Matters: Controls shadow depth and mood; reveals product details in shadow areas; creates professional, balanced lighting; prevents harsh, unflattering shadows; allows fine-tuning of lighting contrast ratio.
Use Cases: Softening harsh shadows in product photography, revealing detail in shadow areas, creating even e-commerce lighting, balancing on-model photography, maintaining detail visibility.
Example of Real Use Case: An e-commerce clothing retailer uses fill lights to ensure fabric texture remains visible in shadow areas of draped garments. Customer returns citing "product looked different in shadows" decrease by 22%.
Software/Service: Reflectors, diffused strobes, LED panels, Profoto lights with modifiers, Westcott softboxes, bounce cards
Common Issues: Fill light too bright eliminating all shadows, incorrect positioning creating competing shadows, inconsistent fill ratio across shoot, over-filling creating flat boring lighting.
Do's and Don'ts:
✓ Do position opposite the key light
✓ Do keep intensity lower than key light
✓ Do use soft, diffused fill sources
✓ Do adjust ratio for desired mood
✗ Don't make as bright as key light
✗ Don't create additional shadows
✗ Don't eliminate all shadows completely
Related Terms: Key Light, Backlight, Three-Point Lighting, High-Key Lighting, Reflector
Also Known As: Secondary Light, Shadow Fill, Bounce Light