Three-point lighting

Three-point lighting is a standard method used in visual media such as theatre, video, film, still photography, computer-generated imagery and 3D computer graphics.Diyphotography.net
/ref> By using three separate positions, the photographer can illuminate the shot's subject (such as a person) however desired, while also controlling (or eliminating) the shading and shadows produced by direct lighting.

Setup

Key Light

The '' key light'', as the name suggests, shines directly upon the subject and serves as its principal illuminator; more than anything else, the strength, color and angle of the key determines the shot's overall lighting design.

In indoor shots, the key is commonly a specialized lamp, or a camera's flash. In outdoor daytime shots, the Sun often serves as the key light. In this case, of course, the photographer cannot set the light in the exact position they want, so instead arranges the shot to best capture the sunlight, perhaps after waiting for the sun to position itself just right.

Fill Light

The '' fill light'' also shines on the subject, but from a side angle relative to the key and is often placed at a lower position than the key (about at the level of the subject's face). It balances the key by illuminating shaded surfaces, and lessening or eliminating chiaroscuro effects, such as the shadow cast by a person's nose upon the rest of the face. It is usually softer and less bright than the key light, up to half the amount. Not using a fill at all can result in stark contrasts (due to shadows) across the subject's surface, depending upon the key light's harshness. Sometimes, as in low-key lighting, this is a deliberate effect, but shots intended to look more natural and less stylistic require a fill.

In some situations a photographer can use a reflector (such as a piece of white cardstock mounted off-camera, or even a white-painted wall) as a fill light instead of an actual lamp. Reflecting and redirecting the key light's rays back upon the subject from a different angle can cause a softer, subtler effect than using another lamp.

Backlight

The back, hair, or shoulder light shines on the subject from behind, typically, though not necessarily, to one side. Backlight is different from a kick or kicker in that it contributes to a portion of the shading on the visible surface of the subject.

Backlighting provides the subject a rim of light, which separates the subject from the background and highlights contours. This creates a thin outline around the subject without necessarily hitting its front visible surface.

File:Three point lighting front.jpg, Three-point lighting from front
File:Three point lighting back.jpg, Three-point lighting from back

Four-point lighting

The addition of a fourth light, the '' background light'', makes for a four-point lighting setup.

The background light is placed behind the subject(s), on a high grid, or low to the ground. Unlike the other three lights, which illuminate foreground elements like actors and props, it illuminates background elements, such as walls or outdoor scenery. This technique can be used to eliminate shadows cast by foreground elements onto the background, or to draw more attention to the background. It also helps to off-set the single eye nature of the camera, this means that it helps the camera give depth to the subject.

References

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External links

Three-Point Lighting
- University of Washington
Studio lighting
- Harding University

Cinematography
Photographic techniques
Photographic lighting
Stage lighting
Articles containing video clips