Lighting Blog (A02)

The videos which I’ve included with the secondary researches are primary researches which we've produced, as a group, using actresses, camera or a camcorder and different techniques of lighting to provide primary evidence.

However, I've also presented some secondary research from the Internet by providing examples from horror and thriller movies as these genres are mainly demonstrated as mysterious, terrifying and dominant.

1) Top Lighting



The definition of, top lighting is where you have your lighting higher than the subject often used to emphasize the female pop stars as it highlights their face or appearance and facial expression. This connotes that the model is portraying the image of a sassy, flirtatious, seductive and beautiful character is able to express passion, devotion or intimacy through the use of top lighting.



However, top lighting signifies or defines the key features of their body, facial expression and creates a glossy effect on the whole picture such as their eyes, eyebrows, lips, revealing parts and eyebrows.

 

Above, I’ve provided photographs that also demonstrate the technique of top lighting.

The females are able to express the emotions of passion, devotion or intimacy through the top lighting as it shows them more off and the bright light on the character unleashes all their beauty making them appear more feminine, beautiful and perfect. They look like a Barbie doll with not corrections needed as the top lighting conceals all the unwanted areas in their faces or bodies.

Not to forget, top lighting also gives them more confidence as they know they will look flawless and bright. As you can see, due to the top lighting they both have got this glossy, shiny and clean effect on their skin which means their skin appear more healthy and well looked after.

2) Low key lighting


The technique of lighting for photography, film or television is low key lighting which has much more pronounced shadows. In other words, low key lighting is clear but in dramatic contrasts.

In other words, it creates a more defined chiaroscuro effect. This means that it has strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affect in a whole composition.
The effects of dark and light differentiate between each other.
This produces a more mysterious and sincere effects. At the same time, it creates a rather frightening and scary atmosphere.

Hence, low key lighting tends to heighten the sense of alienation felt by viewers.
Also, this type of lighting is often used in thriller or horror movie or film genres which make the audience much more nervous, anxious and frightened.
Often, in films low key light emphasizes the outline or curve of an object by throwing areas into shade while a fill light or reflector may lighten the shadow areas to control contrast.

The picture above is an example for low key lighting. The low key lighting used in this photography is from a film noir.  As you can see, the low key lighting combined with the top lighting creates a dark and white effect in the frame producing a sense of mystery and a negative mood.

 Interestingly enough, the person in the background backlighting is used to create the effect of a silhouette.  On the two characters closer to the camera there is top lighting used.  This makes the characters facial expression more engaging as the characters look worried. The person in the background looks like a killer with a gun and the use of a silhouette effects creates the impression that the character does not want to be identified as he wants to kill the two frightened characters.

In filming lighting is all about using the right techniques to create effect, emotions and atmosphere. For example, a shadowed image can be created by positioning specific light and the character in the right place to create that effect.

3) Back lighting

Back lighting refers to the process of illuminating a subject from the back. The edges of the subject will then glow, while the other areas remain darker when the lighting and the person is facing each other. This means that the back light is usually placed directly behind the subject. The use of back lighting helps to divide the subject from its background and reinforces depth.

To add, back lighting creates a silhouette effect which can be used if you want to make a villain or a person anonymous or to produce a visible image from something that can't be seen at all. For example, at night time the backlighting can identify the subject.

Likewise, back lighting creates a silhouette and or a ‘halo’ effect around the edges of the subject or object. Often this is used in films which convey the message of purity, flawless, and brightness. Whereas, some films demonstrates back lighting for a rather secretive, petrifying and puzzling atmosphere by creating a silhouette effect. For example, the main genres for when back lighting is used in films are romantic or horror movies because back lightings are more intense than high or low key lightings.

Primarily, it depends on what effects the person wants to create and knowing how to create that effect through the use of lighting techniques.

These are two contrasting exemplar for back lighting below. As you can see, the character with long sharp blazers in his hands looks very intimidating and it instantly scars the audience as they can figure out from the silhouette effect what it is. The established shot indicates the location of where the silhouette shaped person is. Through the use of back lighting everything appears mysterious, daunting, and suspicious yet also creates a thriller genre.

Whereas, the female with her wedding dress looks like an angel which is so pure, innocent and flawless creating the ’’halo’’ effect around her.

4) High key lighting


At last but not least, high key lighting is when the illumination is bright and relatively in low contrast. It means when everything in the shot can be seen creating a cheerful, up beating and joyful effect. High key lighting is often used in sitcoms or comedies like ’Friends’, ’Hollywood Musical’ and ’Everybody loves Raymond’.  

Often, high key lighting is all the same and it has no dark shadows surround the subject or the image.

Additionally, high key lighting is the delivering of light within the image so that bright tones become dominant.

The high key lighting is also known as main lighting which is with very little modeling.

The below secondary examples of high key lighting show that the characters from Hollywood Musicals are completely visible, bright and dominate. The audience can see their customs, makeup, body language and hair styles clearly.

As you can see, they are prevailed in the picture creating a rather light hearted, calm and pleasant mood.