Lighting Flashcards
Frontal Lighting
illumination directed into the scene from a position near the camera
Side Lighting (Sidelight)
lighting coming from one side of a person or an object, usually to create a sense of volume, to bring out surface tensions, or to fill in areas left shadowed by light from another source
Backlighting
illumination cast onto the figures in the scene from the side opposite the camera, usually creating a thin outline of highlighting on those figures
Underlighting
illumination from a point below the figures in the scene
Top Lighting
lighting coming from above a person or an object, usually in order to outline the upper areas of the figure or to separate it more clearly from the background
Key Light
in the three-point lighting system, the brightest illumination coming into the scene
Fill Light
illumination from a source less bright than the key light, used to soften deep shadows in a scene
Three-Point Lighting
a common arrangement using three directions of light on a scene
from behind the subjects (back lighting), from one bright source (key lighting), and from a less bright source balancing the key light (fill light)
High-Key Lighting
illumination that creates comparatively little contrast between the light and dark areas of the shot
shadows are fairly transparent and brightened by fill light
Low-Key Lighting
illumination that creates strong contrast between light and dark areas of the shot, with deep shadows and little fill light
What are some functions of lighting within a scene?
registering the image
shadows assisting the composition of a shot
directing attention
What are the four features of lighting?
quality
direction
source
color
What is the quality feature of lighting?
the relative intensity of the lighting
hard lighting creates sharp edges and defined shadows
soft lighting in contrast is diffused and attempts to reduce shadow
What is the direction feature of lighting?
the path of light from its source to the lit character/object
What is three-point lighting?
combination key, fill, and back light
What is high key lighting?
the use of lighting to reduce the degree of contrast between darker and lighter parts of the image
often uses three-point lighting to create high-key effect
What is low key lighting?
the use of lighting to increase the degree of contrast between darker and lighter parts of the image
fill light often not used
What is the source function of lighting?
the origin of the light used to illuminate a shot
often source lighting does not coincide with the practical lighting that is presented in the film
What is the color function of lighting?
selection of color of lighting can be either realistically or unrealistically motivated
if the latter, the colors are often used for expressive pruposes
What are the film noir lighting influences in blade runner?
low key lighting schemes used to create an aesthetic of uncertainty
significant emphasis upon shadows to express unease of characters
What is the neo-noir aesthetic in Blade Runner?
neo-noir: low-key lighting schemes adapted for color film
reliance upon strong directional sources of light to create pools of darkness
creation of textures of smoke and mist
often unmotivated lighting sources
sources of light within the story world are frequently unclear to create a distinctive futuristic look
What is the cyberpunk aesthetic in Blade Runner?
cyberpunk: the future is depicted as a technological dystopia
the neon lights and tv screen associated with Asian cities are used to reimagine Los Angeles
