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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Summary
• Classic studio lighting uses three lights on a subject and usually one or more on the
background.
• The key to “natural” lighting is soft light.
• Background light intensity should be adjusted so that subject and background seem lit by
the same environment, but the subject is slightly brighter.
• Lighting locations presents unique challenges, such as lighting small interiors, having
suffi power supply, adequately lighting a large interior, dealing with changing ficient
outdoor light and weather conditions.
• In general, lighting should make your subjects look as good as possible.
• Specialized light sources should be established by showing them on camera, and then
replaced with a more controllable off-camera light.
• Techniques for lighting indoor night scenes include: use low-key mode, establish
practicals, control window light, and light for the highlights.
• Other lighting assignments include interviews, “stand-up” reports, compositing, very
small areas, and graphic materials.
Technical Terms
Amperage: In lighting, the amount of electrical current drawn by a lighting instrument.
Cheating: The practice of moving a subject between camera setups, usually to increase
working room, separate subject and background, or fi nd a better-looking background fi
altogether.
Compositing: The process of video recording subjects against fl at, single-color backgrounds, fl
and then digitally replacing the background with other visuals during postproduction.
Day-for-night lighting: A method of shooting daylight footage so that it appears to have been
taken at night.
Glamorous lighting: Lighting that emphasizes a subject’s attractive aspects and
de-emphasizes defects.
Magic hour: The period of time, up to two hours before sunset, characterized by long
shadows, clear air, and warm light.
Rugged lighting: Lighting technique that emphasizes three-dimensional qualities and surface
characteristics of a subject.
Tabletop: Cinematography of small subjects and activities on a table or counter.
Tent lighting: A lighting arrangement in which white fabric is draped all around a subject to
diffuse lighting completely for a completely shadowless effect.
CHAPTER
16
Review