In any visual medium, light is a key component. While the mechanics and the equipment can be complicated, the principles behind lighting are very simple.
Instructions
1. Grasp the purpose of lighting. In the most basic terms, lights exist so that we may see. However, you simply need to ask any real estate agent, art fan, or performer how substantial a difference lighting can make in any given situation and you will get an earful. Most of the time, the purpose of lighting is to illuminate something, but it can also be used to specifically hide something; to reveal something or to disguise something. Before you can fully understand control, and use, light you must understand what it is for.
2. Grasp color. The first step to understanding light is understanding the spectrum of light. While we think in terms of light simply being, in order to properly work with it you must understand its different shades. Even the simple difference between using a frosted bulb versus a clear bulb can change the light substantially. To achieve the look of a sunset in a film, clearly your lighting will lean more toward the orange. A slight blue tint can convey a negative emotional tone.
3. Eliminate shadows. The purpose of lighting in a professional capacity is to eliminate shadow. While truly eliminating shadows is almost impossible, you must strive to keep them invisible. An actor on camera cannot have a shadow on his face and he must not be casting a shadow behind him, unless this is specifically called for. He will, of course, cast a shadow somewhere, but, when done properly, the shadows will not be seen on camera or by an audience. Likewise, if a shadow is needed, a light will be needed to throw that shadow.
4. Look at direct versus indirect lighting. The umbrellas that you see at a photography studio are called diffusers. In photography, theater and, often, in film, you do not want to illuminate a single object, but rather an environment. A light that does this is called a “wash”. Using lights that are diffused, meaning the light is bounced off of another object instead of being aimed directly, will light up an environment with minimal shadow. Using several diffused lights to overlap can create minimal shadows. However, any object between the diffusing lights and the object that is being looked at, such as people, cameras and microphones, can cast a shadow. A low light aimed directly back at the camera can help eliminate these lights, as can small adjustments in diffused lighting situated off to either side. Often, a diffused light positioned low and behind a subject can be used to make the subject dramatically visible without overwhelming them.
5. Bring it all together. Whether you are being asked to light a play, a piece of art, a film set or a photo shoot, understanding the simple elements of shadow, color, direction, and purpose can allow anyone to understand lighting and how it works in a professional capacity.
