Broad lighting is when the subject’s face is slightly turned away from centre, and the side of the face which is toward the camera (is broader) is in the light. This produces a larger area of light on the face, and a shadow side which appears smaller. Broad lighting is sometimes used for “high key” portraits. This type of lighting makes a person’s face look broader or wider (hence the name) and can be used on someone with a very slim face to widen it. Most people however want to look slimmer, not wider so this type of lighting would not be appropriate for someone who is heavier or round faced.
Here is an image I created myself.
In contrast to this lighting set up there is also short light.
Short lighting illuminates the side of the facefarthest from the camera and part of the near side as well. Because this creates shadows on the cheek facing the camera, it not only introduces tonal variety and contrast to the shot, but also appears to “shorten” or narrow the face, making the model look more slender. Short lighting encompasses many more specific styles, such as split, loop, and some Rembrandt setups and is particularly popular when lighting young women. However it does have the disadvantage of accentuating wrinkles and imperfections in the skin, especially when compared to its sister, broad lighting.
Trying to be a photographer... 