Girl Group Portait Photography

Also called a rim light or hair light, the rim light (the third main light in the three-point lighting plan) is placed behind the subject, out of the picture frame, and often rather higher than the Key light or Fill. The point of the rim light is to provide separation from the background by highlighting the subject's shoulders and hair. The rim light should be just bright enough to provide separation from the background, but not as bright as the key light.
Sometimes the rim light is set just off to the side, on the fill light side. This can add edge detail to the shadowed side of your model's face. This can add the effect of having a kicker light using only the three basis lights of three point lighting.
- Kicker
The "fourth light" in three point lighting, a kicker is a small light, often made directional or limited in coverage through the use of a snoot, umbrella, or softbox that adds a bright edge light on the fill light side of the subject's face, usually just enough to establish the jaw line or edge of an ear. The kicker should thus be a bit brighter than the fill light, but not so bright it over fills the off side of the face; the placement and brightness of a kicker is a matter of taste and technique. Many portraitists choose not to use a kicker and settle for the three main lights of the standard plans. It may thus also be considered an accessory light.