- The key is the most important light in any shot. The job of the key is to take the place of normal natural light sources. This might be light in outdoor shots, or light that comes in a window. Savvy shooters obtain key light from the sun when shooting outdoors and replicate it artificially when shooting inside. If viewers looking at a shot can tell where the light is coming from, this should be the key light that they detect.
- The fill light is the light that makes a shot easier to look at. When a subject is only lit by the key light, certain areas are not going to be lit and some dark shadows are cast. This is an effect of light coming from one direction. The fill light appears from the side to fill in those dark areas and should be roughly on the side opposite to the key light. A fill light helps light up dark spots and shadows so they are not as sharp. Lighting professionals play with the amount of fill light based on how much shadow and definition is called for in the shot.
- Back light is more important than beginning filmmakers realize. A key and a fill sufficiently illuminate the subject. However, it is the back light that gives the subject definition. A properly backlit subject should be clearly distinct from the background. This is not direct lighting, but rather subtle light from behind the subject that makes the border around the subject more distinct.
- Once you've mastered the basic three-point lighting technique, start experimenting with special effects to give your shots different looks. Play with different gels in the lights to add color to the lighting in your shots. Base the color choice on a natural light state you want to recreate, such as blue for evening shots, or add color based on an artistic choice designed to influence the mood of a shot. "Barn doors," or side flaps, on lights allow you to shutter off light to create harsh edges and angles in the light.
previous post
next post