Do You Know All These Film and TV Lighting Terms?

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).