Soft, flat lighting in a studio tends to remove shadows and flatten facial features. Which practice helps counteract this effect?

• A. Wardrobe
• B. Makeup
• C. Sound design
• D. Lighting adjustment

Answer: (B)

Soft lighting in the studio reduces shadows, which makes faces look flat and less dimensional. Makeup helps counteract this by adding controlled shading and highlights that recreate depth. Contouring uses a slightly darker shade applied under the cheekbones, along the jawline, and on the sides of the nose to create the illusion of shadow where light would naturally fall. Highlighting on the high points—cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, and the brow bone—draws light to those areas, restoring dimension even with soft lighting. Blending is essential so the transitions look natural, and a matte finish helps prevent Shine that can wash out the depth. Together, these techniques provide the visual cues that lighting alone would remove, making makeup the best way to counteract the flattening effect.