Lighting Exercise

Lighting Exercise

As a class we have put together a short video showing all of these types of lighthing:

 

 

Shot one: Key Light:

The key light is usually the first and most important life that a photographer and cinematographer will use. The purpose of the key light is to highlight the form and dimension of the subject and can cause silohuettes. In this shot we can clearly see the dimension of the subject:

 

Shot two: Back light:

The back light helps to counteract the effects of a silhouette when used in the 3 part set up. However a back light alone helps to create a silhouette of the subjet where usually the face is blacked out. However it is not completely effective here.

 

 

Shot three: Filler light:

The filler light helps to soften the harsh shadows that the use of key and back lights create. The filler light is only used in the three part lighting structure. It prevents contrast. In this shot we can see that there is lack of shadows.

 

 

Shot four: Under lighting:

Underlighting is whereby the source of light is placed underneath the subject. It helps to make the subject look old and eerie. It is often used in thrillers, I would like to include this lighting in my opening scene. Notice here how creepy the subject looks.

 

Shot five: Top lighting:

Top lighting is whereby the light source is placed above the subject. It tends to be a flattering light as it highlights key features. In fact a shot from the film 'Shanki express' holds a very famous shot of this form of lighting. This shot was copied by Madonna in a magazine. The actress in the shot even employed her own lighting crew to 'light her' in this most flattering manner. Below in our shot of top lighitng we can see that the subjects features are highlighted in a flattering manner. Below is also the famous shot that i mentioned.

 

 



 

 

 

Shot six: Low-key lighting:

Low key lighting is created by using only the key and back lights, this helps to produce a sharp contrast of light and dark areas on the screen. Distinct shadows are formed, this is known as a chiaroscuro effect. Low key lighting is the most used lighting within thrillers as it creates an eerie look.

 

 

Shot seven: High key lighting:

High key lighint is where the fillers are used as well as the key and back lighting (3 camera set up) This is the most common form of lighting used as it appears as the most realistic. It prevents shadowing.