Unlike the human eye, video and
film cameras need specific lighting to produce an image that looks realistic
and believable to the viewer. In order to make movies, lighting has to be
considered regularly in every shot. There are fundamentally two types of lighting
and several positional techniques used to light a scene in a movie. While there
are many variables involved, the basic concepts of movie lighting remain the
same throughout the industry.
The basic theory of movie lighting is:-
- Available Light
One of the two types of light available to film crews is
commonly called "available light." This simply means that the
naturally occurring light on the set will be used to completely or partially
light the scene. This is usually sunlight, but the term is also used to refer
to any lighting not set up by the crew; streetlights, for example, may be
considered available light.
- Artificial Light
Artificial light includes any set lighting
brought in by a movie production crew. There are many varieties of artificial lighting
used on movie sets. Common tungsten bulbs can be used, but often have to be
adjusted for color.
- Key
Types of movie lighting may refer to the position of the
light source and its purpose as well. The key light is the main light source
used to light a subject in a scene. This light is often placed on the front and
side of the key subject, such as the speaking actor in the scene, and is
slightly elevated to mimic sunlight, moonlight or indoor lighting. This is
typically the most intense light used on the set.
- Fill
The fill light is set up on the side opposite from the key light and is
a less-intense light. The fill light, as the name would indicate, fills in the
spaces where the key light does not reach. This type of lighting softens hard
shadows cast by the key light and makes for a more visually appealing image.
- Back
The back light is often used on the backside of the key
subject and is aimed from above to fill the rear and make a sort of halo effect
on the head. This is often used in close-up shots of a person and gives them a
warm appearance on screen.
- Set
The set light is the one light source
not aimed at the key subjects in the scene. This light is often farther back on
the set and is used to illuminate the background so that the audience can see
the setting well. For example, the set light, or lights, may be set up on a
city street scene to light the fronts of buildings along the street in the
background so that they appear natural looking on screen. Without this light,
the background could be too dark and get lost in the shot.
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