Lighting techniques

Sources of light

Direct lighting is the absence of light on any other side except the side with a single light source. This type of lighting can create glares and shadows which can create a dramatic atmosphere. Furthermore, the direct lighting will allow the focus to be on a certain object which will make it stand out from the shadows.

Indirect lighting is light coming from all sides in the photo. The light is more evenly balanced and the light reflects from different objects and onto the main subject. In areas where natural light is lacking, indirect lighting can provide the feeling of natural light, enhancing comfort and alertness.

Natural/Ambient lighting is light that is already present in the scene, before any additional lighting is added. This makes the scene look realistic and natural.

Artificial lighting refers to any light source that is produced by electrical means. This makes the setting look more natural, by making low dull ambient light more brighter and emphasising the subject.


Lighting equipment for Film and Television

Studio lighting rigs are the different lighting equipment fixed to the ceiling of a studio using bars. This will have a wide range of different lights to cater for all moods and requirements. 

Simple three-point lighting is the most common and basic lighting setup used in film and tv. The key light is the brightest light placed to one side of the camera so that this side of the subject is well lit whilst the other side has some shadow. The fill light is at medium light intensity and is placed on the opposite side of the key light. This is used to fill in the shadows created by the key light. The fill light will be softer and less bright than the key light. The back light is placed behind the subject and lights it from the rear. It provides more definition around the subjects outlines and helps separate the subject from the background. This creates a three dimensional look.

Barn doors are light modifiers that shape and direct light. The barn doors are flexible and can be moved to create more focussed light on the subject. They have four hinged doors around the light source which can also create shapes such as squares and circles. When the barn doors are open, there will be more light on the subject, whereas when the barn doors are closed, there will be less light on the subject. 

Par cans are used for lighting stages and theatres. PAR stands for Parabolic Aluminium Reflector as the reflector helps to concentrate the shining light and gives the light an oval shape. There is usually a space for a gel frame near the front of the PAR cans, as colored gels are inserted into the frames to provide illumination in a variety of colours.

Fresnel Lanterns are soft-edged spotlights that offers control over the angle of the beam. A Fresnel lights beam is adjustable because you are able to move the lamp and the reflector closer or further away, by using a screw mechanism or a slide. These are used when focussing on a subject from a further distance.

Light panels are portable LED lights that come in a variety of sizes and lighting strengths. These are very easy to use as they can be taken to different locations when on set of filming.

On-camera lights are lights that can be fixed onto a camera. They are usually small and high powered. These are used when not much lighting is necessary.

Redheads are portable large standing 1K open face tungsten lights which simply means a 1000 Watt bare light bulb in a reflector with no lens. They are very harsh bright lights and may be too bright to be directed at a person's face, and so are often reflected onto the subject.




Reflectors are tools that are used to reflect existing light onto the subject.  A traditional white reflector simply bounces the light, and the light produced is nice and soft. A silver reflector doesn’t change the color of the light much, but it is a bit brighter than light reflected off a white one. Gold reflectors are designed to change the color of the light by warming it up a bit with an orange tone. Reflectors can also be used to fix odd shadows on the face, or even to prevent a backlit subject from becoming a silhouette.

Softboxes emulate natural light, which makes it ideal for frontal lighting. With just the right amount of power, it creates a broad coverage that’s great for softening shadows and lighting up more of the scene in front of it. Its interior lining—reflective silver or neutral white—is used to alter the quality of light.

Creative use of lighting for effect

1. Lighting can be used to direct the viewer's attention to a specific area. For example, using the three point lighting technique helps to focus on the subject in the middle of the shot and makes them stand out from the background.
2. Lighting is also used for shadows and highlights. Different types of lighting equipment can be used to enhance or lessen shadows/highlights. For example, three point lighting can get rid of shadows on the subjects face, and both sides will be evenly lit. More focussed lights such as par cans can create focus on the subject but create shadows and darkness on the other areas the lights are not focussing on.
3. Lighting can be used to establish excitement in a film/show. This can be done by having bright high key lighting as it creates a sense of happiness as bright lights usually reflect excitement. 
4. Lighting can be used to establish fear in a film/show. This is usually done by having low key lighting to create a suspenseful and creepy atmosphere. There will also be lots of darkness as it will make the audience feel on edge and anything can emerge out of the shadows.
5. Lighting can be used to establish passion in a film/show. This can be done by having warm lighting as it creates a romantic and intimate atmosphere. 
6. Chiaroscuro refers to the extremes of low and high-contrast lighting to create areas of light and darkness in films. This applies especially to black and white films. Often the light would only illuminate half of the subject’s face, while obscuring the other side, giving them a three dimensional shape and volume.