Most excitingly, the company showcased a new 4.6K sensor with impressive dynamic range that will soon make its home in both the URSA and URSA Mini cinema cameras. In case you're wondering how exactly that sensor performs, here's some early footage, shot in 4:1 RAW with the original URSA:
To my eye, this is some of the nicest footage to come from Blackmagic's cameras to date. This is a great sign because, coming from an early pre-release version of the upgraded URSA, the capabilities of the production versions of these cameras will likely be even better. With this footage, I'm struck by the clean, naturalistic colors and skin tones, the super smooth highlight rolloff (plus the lack of blown highlights when shooting daytime interiors against a window), and the fact that there aren't any issues whatsoever when shooting directly into the sun. I'm inclined to say that Blackmagic is really starting to get the hang of this whole camera manufacturing thing, which is exciting news for independent filmmakers everywhere.
You can pre-order all of the 4.6K versions of both the URSA and the URSA Mini through B&H, and they're expected to begin shipping later in the summer, or early fall.
Lighting plays a pivotal role in shaping the mood, atmosphere, and visual narrative of films and television. From the soft glow of a romantic scene to the stark shadows of a suspenseful thriller, the way light is manipulated transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Understanding the various film and TV lighting techniques is like learning the vocabulary of visual storytelling.
So let's go into some of the most popular ways to light your projects.
Film and TV Lighting Dictionary
Basic Lighting
Key Light: The primary light source focused on your subject. It determines the main direction and feel of the lighting in the scene.
Fill Light: A softer light placed on the opposite side of the key light. Used to reduce harsh shadows and add dimensionality.
Backlight: A light positioned behind the subject. It creates a rim of light that helps separate the subject from the background.
Three-Point Lighting: The standard lighting setup using a key light, fill light, and backlight.
Practical Light: A light source that exists within the scene itself (lamps, candles, streetlights, etc.). Can create atmosphere and a sense of realism.
Lighting Styles
Hard Light: Light that produces distinct, sharp-edged shadows. Creates contrast and a sense of drama.
Soft Light: Diffused light that produces softer shadows. Can create a flattering effect for portraits or dream-like sequences.
High-Key Lighting: Even, bright lighting with minimal shadows. Often used for a cheerful, optimistic mood (sitcoms, commercials).
Low-Key Lighting: High-contrast lighting with deep shadows and dark areas. Used for a dramatic, mysterious, or suspenseful mood (film noir, horror).
Specialized Techniques
Bounce Light: Light bounced off a surface (like a wall or reflector) for indirect, soft illumination.
Chiaroscuro: Extreme use of high-contrast lighting for powerful dramatic effects.
Motivated Lighting: Light that appears to come from a realistic source within the scene, adding to the believability.
Colored Lighting: Using colored gels or filters to create a specific mood or effect (red for danger, blue for sadness).
Silhouette: Subject is lit from behind, appearing dark against a brighter background. Can be used for mystery or a dramatic emphasis on shape/form.
More Techniques
Hair Light: A light placed behind and above the subject, aimed specifically at their hair to add separation and a soft glow.
Kicker Light: A light placed behind and slightly to the side of the subject that creates a sharp outline and adds dimension.
Eye Light: Small light source used to add a catchlight in the subject's eyes, making them "pop" and appear more lively.
Background Light: Illuminates scenery or objects behind the subject, adding depth or highlighting specific background elements.
Cameo Lighting: Creates a soft pool of light around the subject, fading gently into a dark background for a more isolated feel.
Negative Fill: Using black flags or objects to block existing light and create even deeper shadows.
Additional Considerations
Light Quality: Beyond hard and soft, consider the specific quality of light sources:
Tungsten lights: Warmer tones
HMI lights: More daylight balanced
LEDs: Variable color temperatures and effects
Color Temperature: Measured in Kelvin, refers to the warmth or coolness of the light, impacting the overall mood.
Flags and Gobos: Black fabric (flags) or patterned cutouts (gobos) used to block or shape light.
Diffusers: Materials placed in front of lights to soften their output (gels, silks, scrims, etc.).
Reflectors: Bounce existing light for fill or indirect lighting (can be professional reflectors or makeshift like white boards).
Let me know what you think we missed in the comments!