Lighting definitions

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Key light definitions- The key light is the first and usually most important light that a photographer, cinematographer, or other scene composer will use in a lighting setup. The purpose of the key light is to highlight the form and dimension of the subject. As the principal source of illumination, the major function of the key light is to reveal the basic shape of the object. To reveal the basic shape, the key light must produce some shadows. Fresnel spotlights, medium spread, are normally used for key illumination. Fill light definitions- In television, film, stage, or photographic lighting, a fill light (often simply fill) may be used to reduce the contrast of a scene and provide some illumination for the areas of the image that are in shadow. A light placed to the side of the subject to fill out shadows and balance the key light.

Transcript of Lighting definitions

Page 1: Lighting definitions

Key light definitions-

The key light is the first and usually most important light that a photographer, cinematographer, or other scene composer will use in a lighting setup. The purpose of the key light is to highlight the form and dimension of the subject.

As the principal source of illumination, the major function of the key light is to reveal the basic shape of the object. To reveal the basic shape, the key light must produce some shadows. Fresnel spotlights, medium spread, are normally used for key illumination.

Fill light definitions-

In television, film, stage, or photographic lighting, a fill light (often simply fill) may be used to reduce the contrast of a scene and provide some illumination for the areas of the image that are in shadow.

A light placed to the side of the subject to fill out shadows and balance the key light.

Page 2: Lighting definitions

Backlighting definition-

Backlighting refers to the process of illuminating the subject from the back. In other words, the lighting instrument and the viewer are facing towards each other, with the subject in between. This causes the edges of the subject to glow, while the other areas remain darker. The backlight can be a natural or artificial source of light. When artificial, the back light is usually placed directly behind the subject in a 4-point lighting setup.

High Key lighting-

Is a style of lighting for film, television, or photography that aims to reduce the lighting ratio present in the scene. This was originally done partly for technological reasons, since early film and television did not deal well with high contrast ratios, but now is used to suggest an upbeat mood. It is often used in sitcoms and comedies. High-key lighting is usually quite homogeneous and free from dark shadows. The terminology comes from the key light (main light).

Rim Lighting-

Page 3: Lighting definitions

The Rim Light (also called Back Light) creates a bright line around the edge of the object, to help visually separate the object from the background.

Chiaroscuro lighting-

Is characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition. It is also a technical term used by artists and art historians for using contrasts of light to achieve a sense of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects such as the human body.