Lighting Techniques
Light direction, contrast and color shape people and spaces.
Light faces and separate outlines to give characters dimension.
Portrait
Three-Point Lighting
Use key light to shape the subject, fill to control shadows and backlight to separate the outline, creating controllable character lighting.
Key Light
The main light that defines a subject's lighting direction and tonal structure, rather than simply the brightest spot in the frame.
Fill Light
Adjust the depth of shadows created by the key light, keeping important dark areas readable while preserving their shape.
Rembrandt Lighting
Use the relationship between nose and cheek shadows to leave a small triangle of light beneath the eye on the shadowed side.
Side Lighting
Use light from the side to create distinct tonal areas and emphasize the volume of a face or object.
Uplighting
Illuminate a subject from below to reverse the facial shadow directions we usually expect.
Broad Lighting
When a subject turns their head, illuminate the side of the face more exposed to the camera to change its apparent proportions.
Short Lighting
When a subject turns their head, light the side less exposed to the camera and let the larger, nearer side fall into shadow.
Eye Light
Keep a small reflection or a little illumination in the eyes to make the gaze and expression easier to read.
Backlight
Light arriving from behind a subject can separate its outline, illuminate translucent materials or create a silhouette.
Edge Light
Create a narrow line of light along the edge of a figure or object to separate it from the background.
Kicker Light
Skim light across a cheek or shoulder from behind and to the side to add a localized accent of volume.
Cross Lighting
Light a figure or action area from opposing sides so that both directions retain depth and definition.
Mood
High-Key Lighting
Bright, low-contrast tones keep information clear and can suggest a relaxed or deliberately sterile setting.
Low-Key Lighting
Give shadows a larger share of the frame and use selective illumination to control what the viewer can see.
Chiaroscuro
Use strong, distinctly shaped areas of light and dark to model volume and establish visual emphasis.
Hard Light
A light source that is small relative to the subject produces clearly defined shadow edges, emphasizing structure and texture.
Soft Light
A light source that is large relative to the subject creates gradual shadow transitions, preserving delicate expressions and textures.
Silhouette
Set a dark subject against a bright background and communicate through outline and pose.
Golden Hour
Low-angle warm light near sunrise or sunset can emphasize direction, long shadows and texture.
Blue Hour
Cool ambient light before sunrise or after sunset can create layers of warm and cool color alongside interior or street lighting.
Color Temperature
Describe a light's warm or cool character in relation to white balance and the other sources in the scene.
Scene
Practical Lighting
Let visible fixtures, candles or other in-frame sources contribute to the lighting and the story of the space.
Ambient Light
The overall base illumination of an environment determines how much detail remains visible in shadows and backgrounds.
Available Light
Work with the daylight or fixtures already present on location, while still choosing the position, direction and time of the shot.
Motivated Lighting
Match the direction and quality of illumination to a light source within the story so the scene's lighting makes sense.
Bounce Light
Reflect light from a wall or reflector before it reaches the subject to change its direction, spread and color.
Dappled Light
Light passing through leaves or other obstructions creates irregular patterns that add depth and clues about the surroundings.
Gobo Lighting
Use cutouts, window grids or patterns to shape projected light and make light and shadow part of the setting.
Lens Flare
Strong light entering a lens can produce flare spots or a veil of light, making the source more tangible while potentially obscuring detail.