LIGHTING

TECHNIQUES
LIGHTING TECHNIQUES FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
PORTABLE LIGHTING
TECHNIQUES
 REDHEADS
The redheads are a lighting equipment that is a
very bright and powerful light source and can
be used as a key flood light to fill large areas
but can also be an alternative as fill and
backlights. The term redhead could also link to
why the light source is more on the yellow side.
The picture shown here as an example with a
redhead present in the picture shining onto the
subjects. The name and term 'redhead' comes
from the film noir era because everything was
named after females due to it being a
misogynistic time. There wasn’t any difficulties
setting up the equipment, it was very
straightforward and simple.
BLONDES
Blondes in contrast to redheads are
more powerful and brighter because
the light is more on the white side.
Blondes can also be used as
floodlights. The term blondes also
comes from film noir as it was named
after a female. Blondes can be used
as a spotlight or to create shadows if
it is the main light source present in a
shot or photo. There were no
difficulties setting up the equipment,
it was straightforward.
REFLECTOR BOARDS
Reflector boards were used to bounce
light onto the subject using one of the
light sources already provided. The
advantage of using the reflector board
is that it creates soft lighting so that the
photo or recording doesn’t look harsh.
This creates soft lighting which is used in
photography and cinematography to
give a subject an aesthetically pleasing
look. This is a reason why reflector
boards are a useful and essential part
of photography and cinematography.
DIFFUSER
 DIFFUSER
Using a diffuser in a
Using a blonde film or photography
lighting equipment set up helps to soften
and placing a sheet a light source that is
of tracing paper shining on a subject
over it can be used and make the
as a substitute to an appearance more
subtle and less harsh.
actual diffuser if one
It also helps to reduce
isn't available.
shadows by removing
Blondes shine a any uneven contrast
white light and and adding better
placing a tracing quality to your image.
paper over it can Setting up a diffuser
dim the light to be isn't difficult and it an
used as a diffuser. essential tool.
GELS

Gels can be used to portray a certain emotion to an audience.

The colour red is an assertive and bold colour that can provoke
intense emotions. Using a red gel can convey emotions that link
to anger, danger – which could be used in horror – or even a
powerful status or excitement.
In film, depending on the genre, using a red filter or gel can be
used to express different emotions. To achieve this gel colour, get
a lighting equipment e.g. a blonde, and place a laminated
colour material over the light to create the image and colour you
want.
GELS

Gels can be used to portray a certain emotion to an audience. Using

a blue colour could suggest gentle or calm emotions because blue
can be used to represent the sky which brings to light
friendly emotions. Using a blue gel can convey emotions that link to
positive attributes without creating depressing emotions.
In film, depending on the genre, using a blue filter or gel can be used
to express different emotions. To achieve this gel colour, get a lighting
equipment e.g. a blonde, and place a laminated colour material
over the light to create the image and colour you want. It is easy to
do, and no issues should occur while setting it up.
STUDIO LIGHTING
SPOTLIGHTING
Spotlighting is a lighting technique
that is used to create shadows
that is unsettling to an audience
and limits recognisable features
which heightens a sense of
danger or provokes something
sinister.

This spotlighting technique was

achieved by using the stage lights
from above the subject to
enhance intense shadows. This is
a helpful technique that can be
used in a horror genre because of
the shadows that are present in
the photo.
FLOODS

A flood light can be achieved by

using a blonde lighting
equipment. There is a black knob
at the back of light source that
can be turned to change the light
source from a spotlight to a flood.
The first picture demonstrates a
spotlight and the second picture
demonstrates a flood light.
FLOODS
QUALITY &
POSISTIONING
HARD AND SOFT LIGHT
This photo demonstrates an example of hard lighting.
Hard light creates harsh and prominent shadows to
show or display something dramatic. Hard light
doesn’t necessarily have to be created using multiple
light sources, generally one light source is more than
enough. There a lot of cinematic benefits to using
hard light especially if it used in a horror genre. It can
also create silhouettes and highlights.

This photo demonstrates an example of hard

lighting. Soft lighting is a lighting technique that is
generally used to show a rich quality image. Soft
lighting is used so that subjects look more
aesthetically pleasing due to shadows less harsh and
drastic. It can also replicate subtle lighting coming
from outside.
KEY, FILL AND BACK LIGHTING
A key light is a main light source that is
used to highlight a subject and give
them dimension. This was created using
a blonde. The fill light is used to bring
light or 'fill' the shadowed areas created
by the key light to prevent the image
from being too dark. The back light
adds dimension to your subject. Key, fill
and back lighting is used in a three-
point lighting setup. The set up wasn’t
difficult because I knew where the lights
needed to be placed.
SETUPS
 THREE-POINT LIGHTING
This setup in the studio was three-point lighting. Each light
used to create the lighting technique has its own individual
job. The 3 lights used was the key, fill, key and back light.

The key light is the most important light and it is used to

shine direct light on the subject. It is placed beside the
camera to create a shadow on one side but still ensuring
that one side is still lit and bright. The fill light is used to
shine light on the side of the subject that has shadow that is
created by the key light. It helps a little light seep through
the dark side while still keeping it shaded. The back light
adds an element of dimension to your subject. It helps to
create definition to the subject so that they don’t look flat.
BACK LIGHT
During this setup, we were able to successfully create a
three-point lighting setup and there wasn’t any difficulties
KEY LIGHT FILL LIGHT
in getting the right light ratio between the light sources.
FOUR-POINT LIGHTING
This setup in the studio was four-
point lighting. Each light used to
create the lighting technique
has its own individual job. The
4 lights used was the key, fill,
back light and an additional
light that is focused on the back
of a subject. Four-point lighting
is the exact same set up as
three-point lighting only
difference is an extra back light.
The fourth backlight used in this
image was the stage lights that
are above the subjects head.
STAGE LIGHTS
Using stage lights is to ensure
there is visibility to the
audience to make sure they
can clearly see what is going
on. Stage lights help to create
a realistic setting that could
be used to establish a time or
location in a performance.
Creating a specific mood or
atmosphere can also be
established using stage lights.
LIGHTING FOR PORTRAITURE
Lighting for portraiture can
be created to convey
drama. Rembrandt lighting
in a portraiture setup is
recognisable because the
side of the subjects face
that has a shadow will have
a triangle under their eye.
Leaving half of the face in
a shadow can provoke a
moody emotion.
LIGHTING FOR FACTUAL
PROGRAMMING
Lighting for factual
programming is usually
created using natural
lighting if the factual
programming is based
and filmed outside. This
photo shows what the
lightening would
typically look like a
factual programming
was filmed outside.