Lighting Practice

Types of lighting

3 point fill lighting

Three lights which create a normal looking scene with soft shadows and average colours. Using a 3 light setup to provide normal lighting across an entire object, the exact opposite of chiaroscuro. This is used in most 'normal' scenes with any object in focus.

Chiaroscuro

It is characterised by harsh lighting which creates an extreme contrast between different areas of the shot can be used with colour but also can be used in black and white for a different feel, It is often used in horrors or dramas and any other film where the atmosphere of the scene plays a vital role.
   

High Key Lighting

Uses harsh bright lights to reduce contrast in  scene giving the skin a white washed, clean look, that does not have any shadows.

Back lighting

When the lights is from directly behind, usually from natural light such as the sun, it creates a silhouette, often used in romantic scenes.

Natural Lighting

Comes from natural daylight such as the sun, uses a white/yellow hue. Estate agents often use natural lighting with their pictures to make the image look more appealing and fresh.

Artificial Lighting

This comes from things which are man made sources such as light bulbs and florescent lights.