LO2:

 Report/ write up on different lighting sets up and effects created in film and photography: ·

Three point lighting:

Three point lighting is one of the most common lighting practices used when creating films, videos and even still photography. The method of lighting relies on the three separate positions the Key light, the Fill light and the Back light. Using three separate positions allows the cinematographer to have an exceptional level of control over their scene however they desire; this includes illuminating the subject, controlling shading, and eliminating unnecessary shade and shadows that are produced by direct lighting. 

Key Light:

The key light, as the name denotes, is the main light. It shines directly upon the subject and serves as the dominant illuminator of the scene. When shooting indoors the key light is usually a specialised lamp, or a camera's flash. During daytime, outdoor, shots the Sun usually serves as the key light. Therefore, of course, the photographer won't be able to set up the light in the precise position they need, so they must instead arrange their shot to capture the most sunlight. This means that they will have to wait for the Sun to position itself in just the right place. 

Skyfall:

Fill Light:

Another light that shines on the subject is the fill light. However, this light shines from a side angle which is relative to the key light, because the fill light often has to be placed at a lower angle than the key light; it should match the level of the subject's face. The fill light balances against the key light by illuminating shady surfaces, lessening chiaroscuro or even eliminating chiaroscuro effects altogether. An example of this would be the shadows cast by a person's nose upon the rest of their face. The fill light is softer and less bright than the key light, sometimes by up to half, and more to a flood. The absence of a fill light can result in stark contrasts (due to the presence of shadows) across the subject's surface (this is dependent on the harshness of the key light.) Although, often when working with low-key lighting this is done for deliberate effect. However, shots intended to look more natural and less stylistic require a fill. 

Sometimes instead of using an actual lamp a photographer will use a reflector instead. A reflector can be as simple as a piece of white card mounted off-camera or even just a white-painted wall.  Redirecting or reflecting the key light's rays back onto the subject from a different angle can cause a softer, subtler effect than using another lamp. 

No Time To Die:

Backlight:

The third and final light is the backlight, which can also be called the 'rim', 'hair' or 'shoulder' light. The light shines on the subject from behind and is usually (but not always) angled to one side of the subject. The backlight creates the effect that the subject has a rim of light around them, which is done to distance the subject from the background and highlighting contours. 

There is another similar light known as the kick or kicker light which contributes to a part of the shading on the visible surface of the subject, while a rim light only creates a thin outline around the subject without hitting the visible surface of the subject whatsoever. 

Shutter Island:

Chiaroscuro:

Chiaroscuro is used in cinematography for both extreme low key and high-contrast lighting to create distinctive areas of light and of darkness in films, this is especially common in black and white films. The contrast of light and dark creates powerful emotional effect such as suspense and enigma. Some popular films with chiaroscuro include: The Batman (2022), Blade Runner: 2049 (2017), Night Crawler (2014) and The Guilty (2021). 

Blade Runner: 2049 (2017)

Night Crawler (2014)

 The Batman (2022)

The Guilty (2021)

Soft boxes:

Soft boxes are a fabric box that attaches to the light, in order to 'soften' the light on the given subject. Though the light still passes through the soft box it is no longer as 'harsh' of a light and instead casts a much smoother light over the subject. Soft boxes are often used in the same way as fill lights due to the smooth and equal lighting they create on the subject when hair and key lights are used in unison. Soft boxes can be used instead of a key light however this is less common. This is due to the fact that the key light is the brightest and usually 'harshest' light source in the three-point light set-up.