Three point lighting uses a main 'key light', a 'fill light' to reduce the shadows, and a 'back light' which creates a 'halo' effect to make the subject stand out from the background. Roll over the image to see the effects of the different lights.

The fill light is a weaker or more diffuse light than the key, and provides a little illumination to the other side of the subject.

The key light represents the main source of illumination. Key only creates strong shadows, and tends to flatten the subject into the background.

The back light creates a rim of illumination around the edge of the subject, separating it from the background. This gives the scene a three dimensional feel.

Key, fill and back light the whole subject and separate it from the background.