LIGHING TECHNIQUES

The key concepts and techniques used to light shots in films.

Q1. Describe the principles of 4-point lighting (add images/clip)

As seen in the diagram below there a four main types of lighting used in film. These are:

1. the key light - the harshest, brightest light directly focused on the charaters/ object the film maker want the majority of the audiences attention to be on.

2. the fill light - the fill light is a softer light than the key light, it softens the sharp lighting and shadows casted by the key light. It helps create an overall more atmospheric shot.

3. the back light - the back light is what visually separates the actor from the background.

4. the background light - the background light is the light that illuminates the background other wise the light difference between the actor and foreground will be extremely drastic, which is often not the look directors are going for.

Q2. What lighting techniques have you observed and how might the lighting convey genre?

Back Lighting - Back lighting is when the light source is placed behind the character/ subject, either creating a fully silhouette or making it hard to see the character. Backlighting can create a scene of mystery as it creates an enigma as to who the person is due to the lack of detail.