Lighting

Lighting is a key feature in many films as it plays a vital role in telling the story in the film. There are many different types of lighting techniques which are used in filming. The types of lighting techniques are listed below:

• Key Lighting - the brightest and most influential
• Back lighting - this helps counteract the effect of the key light or creates an outline or silhouette
• Filler light - helps to soften the harsh shadows that the use of key and back lights create
• Under lighting - this is when the main source of light comes from below the subject. often used in thrillers and horror films
• Top lighting - this is when the main source of lighting comes from above the subject. It is often used to highlight features or to create a glamorous look
• Back lighting - this is when the source is behind the subject. If no other lighting is used, silhouettes are created

Low-Key & High-Key

Low-key lighting is created by using only the key and back lights in a scene. It creates a sharp contrast of light and dark areas on the screen in which distinct shadows are formed. This is known as chiaroscuro, which is Italian for light - chiaro and dark - oscuro).

High-key lighting uses more filler lights to make lighting appear more realistic. 

Film Noir

Film Noir is the term given by French film critics to a group of films made in Hollywood from 1941 to 1958, The films are given the term 'Film Noir' by the characteristics they show which are pessimistic, dark themes that show the darker side of human nature. All films classified as 'Film Noir' use low-key lighting to give films a hard, sharp look with strong areas of contrast between light and dark.

The video below shows different lighting techniques which are used in films.