Cinematography: Understanding Lighting in Film

Lighting is a quintessential part of filmmaking in visually setting the mood and atmosphere of a film, which oftentimes define the genre of the film. It’s a powerful tool that can direct the audience’s eye to a part of a scene, a specific actor or prop and even reflect the emotions and personality of a character

Three-Point Lighting

The three-point lighting system, developed in the studio era in Hollywood, is the basic and most commonly-used lighting technique in films today. It consists of three light sources: Key Light, Fill Light, Backlight

• It provides the primary light which is the strongest and brightest light source in scene or on the subject.
• Backlight: Positioned behind the subject and around 120° from the fill light. It separates the subject from the background and counterbalances brightness of the key light

What Is Cinematic Lighting?

Cinematic lighting goes beyond the standard three-point lighting system by varying the intensities and direction of lights.

• This is what creates depth, drama and atmosphere in a scene. Techniques in cinematic lighting includes diffusing and bouncing light as well as adjusting colour temperatures to create the desired atmosphere and effects necessary in visual storytelling.

Cool Lighting

Creates blue, green or grey tones. Effect:

• Conveys the feeling of loneliness and coldness.
• Suggests a dull, gloomy and creepy atmosphere.

Hard or Harsh Lighting

Uses smaller light sources to cast larger, clearer, and sharper shadows on the subject as well as heighten contrast

• Effect:
• Creates a dramatic, suspenseful, and intense atmosphere
• It’s suggestive of the underworld and villainy
• Common genres: Chiaroscuro, horror, and mystery

Lighting for Characters

Helps the audience get an idea of the characters and their emotions in a scene

• Underlighting
• Light shines from under the character’s face, creating a sinister and creepy effect
• Backlighting – the light source is located behind the subject.
• Illuminating from the back of the subject creates a halo effect around the subjects head, making them looking angelic
• Lighting can also enhance an actor’s features such as eye light or kicker

Soft or Diffused Lighting

Larger light sources that are distant from the subject and in the scene with plenty of fill lights are used to create soft lighting.

• Effect:
• Portrays a dreamy, romantic and fantastical atmosphere.
• Conveys the sentiment of hope and peace.
• Diffused overhead lighting is suitable for close-up shots.

Other Lighting Techniques

Side lighting

• The actor is illuminated from the side, highlighting the contours of their face.
• Bounce lighting
• A reflector is used to bounce light from a strong light source towards the subject. In effect, it softens and spreads the light in a shot.
• Motivated Lighting
• Making use of studio lights, lanterns or other artificial lights to imitate a natural light source, such as the sun. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the light source behind the character mimics moonlight.
• Practical Set Lighting
• It refers to the use of existing light sources such as studio lights or lamps around a set to light the scene.

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