lighting notes

I have just been re-researching about lighting this morning so i dont forget the basics when I start my experiments for my FMP. here are some of the notes I made.

Lighting

Backlighting
When predominantly lit from the back.
Makes characters + objects be placed in shadow or silhouette.
Don’t let audience engage with characters.
Characters become mysterious, sinister + unworthy.
Keep information away.

Side Lighting
When a character is lit on half the side of their face.
Use to pick out facial features.
Helps to give important details to connect with characters.
Used to create mood in a scene and contrasting sides.

Top + Bottom Lighting

top
When characters are lit from above.
Produces shadows under the eyes giving the character an unflattering look.
 
Bottom
Bottom lighting is lit from below.
Bottom light adds a menacing look to person.
Enhance a fighting mood
Used to get a particular response.
Rarely used on main characters.

Hard + Soft lighting

Hard lighting
– direct bright spot light
Picks up detail, especially on face.

Soft lighting
 is also called Soft focus
Creates appearance of smooth even surfaces
Soft lighting is often used in romantic films.

Both hard and soft lighting is used for specific moods.

3 Point + Natural Lighting
Mainly used in documentary films,
Both give a very naturalistic look.
Makes audience feel as if they were there.
Helps audience connect with charter on screen.
Can still use natural light for effect.

Colour
Can be used to give a certain feel to a scene.
Certain colours represent specific meanings.
Colour is also taken out of films to give a more realistic documentary feel to it.
Used to draw audience attention.

Below is a mindmap I made to help me remember: