In portrait lighting, which statement best describes the effect of a fill light?

• A. To create a dramatic, high-contrast look.
• B. To reduce shadows and balance the lighting on the face.
• C. To illuminate the background independently.
• D. To add color to the subject.

Answer: (B)

Fill light controls the tone of portrait lighting by softening the shadows created by the key light and balancing the exposure across the face. It’s typically a softer, lower-intensity source placed on the opposite side to lift shadowed areas so facial features stay visible and natural. That’s why the description that fill light reduces shadows and balances lighting on the face is the best. The other ideas describe different parts of a lighting setup: dramatic contrast comes from minimal fill, background lighting is a separate element, and adding color comes from color gels rather than the fill.