Lighting: 101

Question 1

Lights can be split into two main categories. What are these two categories?

Answer 1

Natural Light and Artificial light.

Natural light can range from anything to sunlight, moonlight or firelight.

Artificial light is everything else. Man-made light powered by electricity.

Question 2

When we say ‘ambient light’ on set what are we referring to? / Name some examples of ambient light:

Answer 2

Ambient light refers to any light on location that the crew did not bring. This can be street lamps, neon signs or even the moon.

Question 3

When we say ‘practical light’ on set what are we referring to? What’s a common use of practical lighting?

Answer 3

Practical light refers to any light source that can be seen in the frame. Whether it be ambient or placed there by a gaffer. Often practical lights exist simply to justify or motivate the lighting.

Question 4

Explain the concept of ‘motivated lighting’:

Answer 4

• Motivated lighting means that there is a logical or reasonable justification for the light in a scene. For example:

In a scene where there is set is fully lit up, the gaffer will often place practical lights like a lamp to justify the source of light within the scene.

Question 5

What are lumens?

Answer 5

Lumens are a measurement on how much light a source produces.

Question 6

What is Incidental light?

Answer 6

• The amount of light that hits a subject.
• Also referred to as Lux or Footcandles.

Question 7

Define reflective light:

Answer 7

Reflective light is the amount of light that reaches the camera’s sensor.

The amount of light is dependent on both the strength of the source and it’s position in relation to the subject.

Question 8

What is light fall-off?

Answer 8

As soon as light leaves the source, it begins to lose intensity, we call this light-fall off.

Question 9

We can predict an account for the loss of light through an equation called the ‘Inverse Square Law’. Explain this law:

Answer 9

Intensity = 1 ÷ THE DISTANCE squared.

Basically this means any time you double the distance away from the source, your light is reduced by 75%.

Question 10

What are the units in which we measure colour temperature?

Answer 10

Kelvins.

Question 11

What is exposure?

Answer 11

The amount of light that reaches the sensor or the film stock.

Question 12

What is contrast ratio?

Answer 12

The balance between the light and shadow.

Question 13

What is high-key lighting?

Answer 13

High key lighting is a term that expresses a low contrast ratio, where the background and the subject are lit evenly, with minimal contrast.

Question 14

When is an appropriate time to use high-key lighting?

Answer 14

Usually in happy and lighter scenes.

Question 15

What is low-key lighting?

Answer 15

Uses a high contrast ratio where the difference between light and shadow is much larger with maximum contrast.

Question 16

When is an appropriate time to use low-key lighting?

Answer 16

Often used for darker and dramatic scenes.

Question 17

What the fuck is Chiaroscuro? and how do you pronounce it?

Answer 17

Chiaroscuro is a type of low-key lighting with a high contrast ratio, this is seen most frequently in film noirs to enhance the sub-genre’s mysterious and dangerous qualities.

It is pronounced: CHEE YA SCOO RO.

Question 18

Define Hard Light:

Answer 18

Hard light is more directional light which creates stark shadows which works best in more dramatic and intense scenes.

Question 19

Define Soft Light:

Answer 19

• Soft Light is more diffused and generates less defined shadows.
• This type of lighting is often used in happier and romantic scenes.

Question 20

Define The Broad Side:

Answer 20

• Lighting a side of a subject which is closer to the camera, giving the subject a more approachable feleing.

Question 21

Define The Short Side:

Answer 21

Lighting the side of a subject that is not facing the camera. (Or is further away from the camera). This gives the subject a more dramatic look.