Light

BACK LIGHT

The light that is positioned behind the framed person or object. Effect: It adds volume to the filmed object and conveys a sense of threat.

BACKGROUND LIGHT

The light that illuminates the background of a scene and is related to the intensity of the key light. Effect: It adds depth and creates layers between the objects in focus and the background of the scene.

COLOR BALANCE

The emphasis given by a light source to a specific region of the visible spectrum, which expands from violet to red. Example: When shooting a sunset, it would be preferable to adjust the color balance towards the red palette, while in the case of shooting a night scene, the chromatic adaptation would be closer to the blue palette.

CONTRAST

The relation between the bright and the dark areas in the film (or television) frame. Example: A high contrast picture has many bright and dark areas and limited grayscale tones, as opposted to a low contrast picture, which has a few bright and dark areas and many grayscale tones.

HARD LIGHT

A harsh directional lighting practice (eg. the use of the sun) that creates black shadows with disctinct outlines and intense differences in luminance (contrast) within the scene.

HIGH KEY LIGHTING

An overall intense and evenly diffused lighting with low contrast between light and shadow. The result is usually underpinned by bright costumes and setting. Effect: The creation of a bright, clear and joyful ambience .

KEY LIGHT

The main lighting source that is used to illuminate a scene. Most of the times, it is positioned in a 45 degree angle on the axis between the camera and the main subject (either on the right or the left side of the camera). Effect: It highlights the object’s form, dimensions and surface details.

LIGHT SOURCE DIRECTIONALITY

The practice of funneling the light source onto a specific setting on the imaginary axis that connects the camera to the subject. This funneling is usually dependant on the position of the key light and significantly affects the distribution of light and shadow within the frame.

LOW KEY LIGHTING

An overall low, but also selective high contrast lighting with many shadows and dark areas that creates a dark, mysterious, and melancholic atmosphere. The outcome is usually underpinned by dark costumes and settings; in order to avoid the desired result, the scene is illuminated by one main lighting source (a directional harsh light that sharpens the contrast between light and shadow) and an additional subdued lighting (a diffused lighting that softens the contrast between light and shadow.

3 Point Lighting

ACTIVITY 1

Method: Freeze Frame

Which color is dominant?

How is the scene lit?

Is the light natural?

Are there shadows in this take?

What are the basic colors we can see in this scene? In your opinion, why is this palette chosen?

LIGHT