The Logic of Lighting

Here is a list of the need to know phrases and definitions when it comes to lighting.

-Natural Light= comes from a natural source; for instance, the sun.

-Artificial light= This is the light from any form of man made bulb, lamp, or reflector.

-Chiaroscuro= This means the high contrast between light and dark; for example, the light through a blind. It has commonly been used by Alfred Hitchcock and Quinton Tarantino to create suspense.

-High-key Lighting= A brightly lit scene with few shadows. It is used to create depth and define details. It is usually completed when there is one source of light.

-Low-key Lighting= This is when the lighting is more towards the grey or dark scale of lighting. There is usually a good deal shadow.

-Hard Light= Clearly illuminates areas and usually contains a lot of detail.

-Soft Light= Covers a wider area and diminishes outlines, minimising detail.

-Three Point Lighting= This is probably the most common form of illuminating a scene. This is how it works; The subject of the scene stands in front of the camera, we then on one angle have the Key Light (A stark, bright light). This is the main light source of the scene. On the other side of the camera is a Fill Light (This is a softer light that often has a yellow tinge to add warmth). Lastly, we have the Back Light (This is another soft light positioned behind the subject to diminish the shadows and add depth).