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Lighting Key Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Key Lighting | Main and strongest light source in a scene or on the actor. |
Fill Lighting | Adds dimension and softens harsh shadows created by the key light. |
Backlighting | Placed behind the actor to help define their features and distinguish them from the background. |
Side Lighting | Lights the actor from the side and focuses on the contours of their face for a high-contrast dramatic effect. |
Practical Lighting | Light source that is visible within the scene like lamps, light fixtures, candles, and television sets. Add cinematic ambiance of the scene. |
Hard Lighting | Lighting aesthetic with harsh shadows that draws attention to a specific actor or part of a scene. |
Soft Lighting | Lighting aesthetic with little to no harsh shadows that's bright yet balanced. |
High-key Lighting | Lighting aesthetic with no shadows and intense brightness, bordering on overexposure. You'll see high-key lighting in a TV sitcom, music video or a commercial. |
Low-key Lighting | Lighting aesthetic with a lot of shadows to create a sense of mystery or suspense. |
Natural Lighting | Uses and modifies the available light at the location of the shoot. |
Motivated Lighting | Controlled lighting technique meant to imitate natural light sources in the scene like the sun or the moon. |
Bounce Lighting | Technique where light is bounced from a strong source toward the actor with a reflector, which soften and spread the light. |