Lighting Techniques in Filmmaking

Lighting is an integral part of filmmaking and in few areas of filmmaking that has many arrangements of set-ups. Quite like camera terminology, there are variations of lighting tools. There is no other right way to employ lighting design. A scene could be little different ways by different lighting techniques in filmmaking, each altering the mood and overall impact of the image.

Click on below Video: Basic Lighting Techniques

Different Lighting Techniques in Filmmaking

1. Key Light

The key light is the light of the scene. It will be an intense and direct light source of the whole scene. 

It will be the first light to set up and used in illuminating the form of the subject.

Key Points:

• Avoid placing the key light near to the camera because it will cause your lighting to become featureless and flat.
• If key light is positioned to the side or back side of a performer, it will create a mysterious mood and overall keep the image dark.

The key light is a light in a three-point lighting setup.

2. Fill Light

A fill light illuminates the shadows which are created by the key light. 

Fill light is placed in the opposite direction of the key light and not as powerful as the key.

Key Points:

• The primary function of fill is to remove shadows created by the key. It is important that the fill remains indistinctive and does not create any shadows or its characteristics. It produces less shadows when it is closer the fill light to the camera.
• It is easy to create fills if you don't have another light; you can place a reflector on opposite 3/4 to the key. Light spill onto the reflector and bounce up to the subject.
• Fill light is measured in the fill light ratio. It describes the relative amount of light from the fill and the key. Example: A ratio of 1:2 indicates that the fill is half the intensity of the key.

3. Back Light

A backlight hit an object from behind and placed higher than the object it is lighting. This light is used to separate an object from a dark background and to give the subject more depth and shape. 

Backlighting help to bring the subject out and away from looking two dimensional.

Key Points:

• Non-diffused sunlight can be too harsh to light your subject as a key light, but as a backlight, the sun can make the performer stand out.
• With the sun as a backlight, use a reflector or a foam board to bounce the sun at a less intensity back up to the performer.
• To create a silhouette, expose for backlight and remove your fill and key.
• If a backlight is placed behind a performer at a directional angle, where the light hits a portion of the face, the back light becomes a kicker. 

4. Side light

A side light is a light that comes from the side parallel to the performer. A side light is ideal for creating a dramatic mood and chiaroscuro. Chiaroscuro is created with high-contrast and low-key. A traditional technique used throughout the film noir period of cinema.

 Key Points:

• To create better dramatic lighting with side light, it is best to use it without a fill or have the fill ratio low such as 1:8.
• Side lights are ideal for revealing texture.
• There are many lighting techniques, but here we explained you few lighting Techniques in filmmaking hope you find this blog helpful for filmmaking.