Unit 36: Lighting

Techniques
Paris Beszant
 NATURAL AND PRACTICAL LIGHTING
Natural lighting is when you just use the light from the sun where as practical lighting is when you
purposely put candles, lamps, televisions, phone lights or computer screens are all used to add to the natural
lighting. Practical lighting is put in places to also show the different tones in a film or tv show, this can be
used to help reflect the characters facial expressions, one, two and three point lighting is used to show the
shadows on the subjects face and show their expression. Natural and practical lighting are used together
sometimes for more effect, the key,fill and backlight are also used when creating a scene. When placing light
in certain positions you need to make sure that it looks believable, the colour and where the light source is
coming from. Practical lighting is useful to create depth in a scene.
Lighting was first used in 1876 when Pavel Yablochkov invented
the Yablochkov candle which was the first practical lamp, In 1879
Thomas Edison and Joseph Wilson Swan created an
incandescent lamp which only lasted 40 hours leading Edison in
1880 to produce a 16 watt light bulb lasting 1500 hours
TREE OF LIFE
In the tree of life warm and cool colours are used to show the different emotions shown between the family throughout the
trailer. Blue tones show more of a anger and are colder in emotions, these are shown when the father and son aren’t getting
along and arguing, the warm colours are shown when good things are happening in the family's life and the father and son
are getting along. A use of both practical and professional lighting have been used to create the trailer, this is to use the
natural light as well as set up lighting equipment. In the scene where the mother is holding her child the lighting high key
because they are happy and the lighting reflects the mood that the character is in. In the scene where the son and his father
are walking off the lighting also reflects the mood and it is a happier scene than a previous one when they are arguing, the
colours in the scene where the father and son are arguing aren’t as bright as the one when they are not. Natural light from
the sun is used in the scene of the father and his son, the sunset is in the scene, i don’t think equipment lighting has been
used. Practical lighting is used to add effect to the characters facial expression, the practical lighting is put there on purpose
and done for a reason, it may be a lamp or a candle placed there which would look natural in that scene but has been put
there to show more light if it is needed. The scene where the father is looking at his baby has practical lighting coming from
behind him which could be a lamp or some sort of lighting equipment and the natural lighting is shining through the
window and going onto the characters face and clearly shows what he is looking at. I think the lighting in this trailer is very
successful and reflects exactly what emotions the characters are feeling. The cool and warm tones shown during the trailer
help the audience to also understand how the characters may be feeling and help you to understand what is happening
during the scene.
 ONE POINT LIGHTING- SIXTH SENSE
When using one point lighting the subject gets drawn towards the background, a softbox is used to create the
lighting and to make it focus on the subject. One point lighting is used in Sixth Sense, The Scary Scene, it is
used to show the boys facial expression and the way the torch is flashed to the girl shows what is happening
but there is still mystery and suspense building up during the scene, the idea of it being scary is shown
through the boys expression and how he reacts to seeing the girl in the tent. The idea of a ghostly presence is
shown through the coldness on the screen that you and see, the camera then shows the dead girl who is sitting
in the tent and all the lighting goes onto her face. The lighting reflects the build up and suspense, when the
suspense is building up the lighting is dark and when the girl appears and there is no more mystery the
lighting is bright and on the girls face. The colour of the different lights reflect on the characters mood, the
boy who in this scene is the main character has a very worried face throughout the scene. This scene shows
mystery because we don’t know who the girl is or how she got there, this then makes the audience wonder
how she got there and the suspense builds up during the scene, leading the audience to think all different
things.
 TWO POINT LIGHTING- blade runner trailer.
Two point lighting uses a fill light and a key light, the key light is the primary light source used to illuminate the subject where
as the fill light is a secondary light source which helps to control shadows. When setting up more than one light source the
person who is recording the scene can illuminate the key subject, both the key and fill light are set up on each side of the
camera, depending on the length the lights are away from the camera you can change the mood of the scene.When using two
point lighting it needs to be diffused or dimmed because its too strong, you can diffuse it by using a piece of material and once
placed over the top it becomes a little bit dimmer. Two point lighting is flatter than three point lighting. The key and fill light
are both evenly balanced but the key is a little bit sharper and stronger.

Blade Runner is a sci-fi film which uses two point lighting throughout the trailer and shows you that the two point lighting is used to bring
out the shadows and show the dark and light, this example uses natural and practical is used when the woman is being tested, light is
coming from the background which is the backlight but light is also coming from the window which makes the woman look darker in the
light she’s in and gives us the impression she isn’t normal and is the robot. With Blade Runner being a science fiction film dark low key
lighting which is normally is used in these types of films. The lighting in this scene focuses on her face which is why two point lighting is
used because it illuminates half of her face, using shadows shows us that she is possibly hiding from who she is and doesn’t want to give the
viewer to much of an inside to her and what she is like. This is also why two point lighting is used and not three as three point would
illuminate her face more where as two point doesn’t and creates more of a mystery to the character and keeps the audience thinking. A key
light and fill light are used to illuminate her face, the key light being sharper and stronger brings out the woman’s features. Mystery is also
created with the man because we cannot really see his face as well and he is not really giving anything away about what he thinks of the
woman leading the audience to just guess for themselves about what is going on.
 Three point lighting
In three point lighting there are 3 different lights used, a key light, fill light and a
backlight. The key light is the main light which normally is the strongest light, it is
placed on one side of the camera and the fill light is on the opposite side of the camera,
the back light is placed behind the subjects and lights it from the rear, it doesn’t provide
direct lighting, it provides definition and highlights around the subjects outline. The
back light helps separate the subject from the background and creates a three-
dimensional look.
The wolf of wall street
The wolf of wall street uses three point lighting in the business scene with the swiss bank, it is a crime and drama
genre which is shown through lighting as it shows money and power, the lighting reflects the genre throughout the
whole film. Three point lighting is used to show the juxtaposition of the two different characters and their wealth.
The lighting being high key shows the dominance of the main character and shows he is powerful, it shows the
characters body language and facial expressions , this then shows how dominant he is as well and how comfortable
and incontrol of the situation he is. Where as the other character is in a more dull background with only the fish tank
to illuminate the background whereas the main character has a high key backlight which is of the scenery and the
place where it is set. With the man sitting in a dimmer part of the room it shows he is not comfortable, less powerful
and not in as much control as the main character, he isn’t sitting as if he is in control of this situation and looks like
the weaker person in this scene. Crime is one of the main genres and wealth and money is reflected by lighting and
through the characters.
REMBRANDT LIGHTING- SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
Rembrandt lighting is normally used in photography, it is achieved using one light and a reflector, it
captures the person’s facial expression and draws out the details more than one,two and three point
lighting.Rembrandt lighting is used in silence of the lambs in the first meeting scene, the main characters
in this scene and a woman, you can clearly see hannibal’s facial expressions and detailing in his face.
Hannibal in this situation is very devious and isn’t a nice character so his behaviour reflects with his
actions, he doesn’t look as if he is nice and the lighting helps to see what he is really feeling and what his
facial expressions are. The rembrandt lighting helps to illuminate Hannibal’s face, the lighting reflects the
way the situation is going to go, its dim and creates tension and builds the atmosphere up and shows the
audience how uneasy the situation is and how it starts to become uncomfortable and reflects the hannibals
intentions. Using low key colours and lighting reflects the genre of the movie as it is a horror movie and a
typical horror films have low key lighting and shows mystery and builds tension throughout, this is also
meant to scare a viewer. The shadow begins to hide Hannibals face throughout the scene leading to making
the viewer wonder why he begins to cover his face and become more mysterious and the lighting shows he
is hiding something.
Lighting for advertisement
Smirnoff advert.
The advert shows a range of different lighting that creates a sexy atmosphere and sets the mood. Practical lighting is created using
candles and lamps, the candle reflects through the bottle of smirnoff. Because the scene is filmed in the day where it is bright, the
room gets blacked out, however practical lighting is used in the room where the scene is being filmed. A midnight light is coming
through the windows to create a natural light. Because the audience tend to drink in the evening that is when the scene is
supposed to be set, others may drink during the day but it is more likely that people drink alcohol in the evening once work is
finished and come home to relax. This advert is created to be a sexy atmosphere, they have used a pretty actress in the advert to
show this atmosphere, Also using a pretty actress more people are likely to watch because of both the drink and the woman who’s
drinking the product. The mood has also been created using different lighting, cool and warm colours are used to make the
lighting more effective, the colours help you to focus on the main subject as its all aimed around the subject meaning that is what
we would focus on. The lighting from the fire and lamps is warm lighting whereas the lighting which is coming from the
“moonlight” is cool, there is a contrast in the lighting, high and low key lighting is used during this advert.
Lighting for advertising
O2 priority advert.

In this advert the main colours used are cool colours and blue is the
main colour used, you tend to see blue in o2 adverts because the o2
logo is blue. The main character stands out as he is in a blue suit and
he is the main focus and the other people on the advert don’t stand out
and are unclear, you cannot properly see them, the other people look
like shadows and the only clear person is the man in blue, he is
carrying a present which represents o2 and is advertising the
company. The lighting used is spotlighting which focuses on one
person and makes the audience follow the different lighting and watch
the main character throughout the advert and shows you what the
advert is making you focus on and what product is on sale. The
location changes throughout the advert but the same main character is
there with a present which represents a the company o2. Spotlighting
is used throughout and is the main technique, this is because the
advert only wants you to focus on the main character. Blue tones are
used to show that o2 is the adverts focus and blue is quite a bright
colour so it draws your attention to it and makes your eye follow it.
FILM NOIR
Film noir lighting was first used in the 1940s in the USA, used in the
darker city nights of post war america where prostitution, drugs and
crime were still in the shadows,Film noir often has a non- linear
narrative, alienation, paranoia, disenchantment and ambiguity are all
used in film noir. The camera angles are often twisted and called dutch
angles, they also use towering high and low shots to insinuate
dominance or passivity in hero’s and villain's. Hero is typically an anti-
hero and the lines between the heroes and villains can often be blurred,
this reflects the lighting when using light vs dark, black and white and
good vs evil. The lighting is very bold and only in black and white. The
lighting is very dark in some shots, medium,close and long shots are
shown in the film noir scenes. The dark tones stand out more than the
light tones which is showing the evil side to the situation rather than the
good side, this is using binary opposition.
Horror lighting
Light from above is always related to a heavenly figure, even if you don’t have a religious belief you still
believe that the light from above is someone/ something religious of some sort. Where as light from below
is suggested as scary and sinister in a way, the character becomes more

Lighting from above is something that occurs from a natural light source
and something that doesn’t have to be put there by directors for example
the sunlight is a source that is more likely to be used in films as a
religious symbol of someone/ something above. Where as lighting from
below shows a more sinister side to light, this is more on the practical
side of lighting, practical lighting is used such as torches, lamps, candles
etc. Uplighting is a key use of lighting in frankenstein, spotlighting is
used in poltergeist and the exorcist where silhouettes are used and harsh
lighting is used in nosferatu.
Lighting Techniques
Uplighting- is often set up in a cylinder which is placed on the floor so the light beam is
directed upwards
Silhouette- is the dark shape or shadow of someone or something which is only visible against
a brighter background.
Underexposure- underexposure is when too much light is allowed during an exposure
meaning it is exposed too much.
Spotlighting- putting someone or something under a light only directed at them, the main
subject is highlighted using a spotlight.
Harsh light (hard light) chiaroscuro. - transition from light to dark, hard light creates harsh,
sharp lines in the shadows. Hard light is created from a small point- source of light that focuses
the beam.
Descent trailer

The descent trailer is about a group of girls who are very vulnerable and scared, the lighting helps to reflect
what the characters are feeling and what they are going through. 2 characters are the main subjects in this
trailer. The lighting used is red and this indicates danger, a flare is used for the red lighting as they are stuck
and set off a flare in hope to get help. Red indicates danger and the girls need help this is why the flare has
been used so it’s clear to the audience what’s going on. A lot of practical lighting is used in this trailer, this is
because of them being stuck in a dark place the natural lighting would be dark and you then wouldnt be able
to see the characters so they have used flashlights to make it look more realistic using flashlights because that
is what you would use if you were stuck underground and had no light source. The colour of the lights shown
are cool colours like green, blue and purple. This is because its a horror and darker colours are used to create
atmosphere, although the colours are dark and cool they are also bright so that you can clearly see the
characters faces and what they are doing. The lighting also in a way builds up the tension, the flashes and
screams show they are struggling and the light
 Faithless- Insomnia
The lighting in this video have very contrasting tones, its very dark and dull
until double exposure is used and the red and the black tones start to contrast
and become the key shots in the video, the double exposure is a use of red tones
where you can see a child’s face and black tones where the main person is
shown. What is the effect of this and the mood being created? The lighting uses
natural and non natural lighting, i think that the in the first picture is natural
lighting and so are the third and fourth but the second image and the last one of
the overlapping of him and then boy. The image of the young boy is quite
disturbing, this may be how the singer is feeling causing him to not be able to
sleep. The young boy at one part of the video looks as if he is screaming and
looks distressed, he looks as if he has been painted red, red is a colour used to
show danger. Spotlighting is used during this video, when he just films his
hands and has the rest blacked out this is using non-naturalistic lighting and
spotlighting to just show one thing. The lighting creates contrast between
scenes, red and black
One point lighting
One point lighting is created by using a softbox, this type of lighting is used to create a
shadow on the person’s face and only highlights one side, you can’t see all of their
features. Some of the person’s body fades out into the background which is pitch black,
half of the face also fades into the background so you are unable to see it all. One point
lighting is used to create mystery, this is why only half of the persons face is shown, this
helps to add to the profile of the character and creates enigma and suspense. A single
light source creates a natural but very dramatic look that draws attention towards that
character in particular. Half of the background is lit up whereas half is pitch black.

Two point lighting

Two point lighting is created using a fill light and a key light subtle but has a 3d
effect to it as it makes the character stand out and highlights their whole face instead
of just half. The key light is the primary light source used to illuminate the subject
where as a fill light is used to help control the shadows. It makes the subject more
visible by illuminating the key light, you can see the different lights on the person’s
face. One side of the face has a orangey tone whereas the other side has more of a
whiter light, this is because of the different light sources on the face.
Three point lighting
Three point lighting is used with a key light, a fill light and a backlight, the
key light is the main light which is normally the strongest, it is placed on
one side of the camera where as the fill light is placed on the opposite side
of the camera. The key light is used to focus on the subject, the back light
is placed behind, rather than providing direct light its purpose is providing
definition and subtle highlights. This helps separate the subject from the
background.
These images show the difference in lighting, i used one, two and three
point lighting. The lighting in the first image has orange tones and is
using two point lighting