3. There are 12 basic types of lighting used in
filmmaking:
• Key lighting is the main—and strongest—light source in a scene or on the actor.
• Fill lighting adds dimension and softens harsh shadows created by the key light.
• Backlighting is placed behind the actor to help define their features and distinguish them
from the background.
• Side lighting lights the actor from the side and focuses on the contours of their face for a
high-contrast dramatic effect.
• Practical lighting is a light source that is visible within the scene like lamps, light fixtures,
candles, and television sets. They’re not usually strong enough to light a subject, but they
add to the cinematic ambiance of the scene.
4. There are 12 basic types of lighting used in
filmmaking:
• Hard lighting is a lighting aesthetic with harsh shadows that draws attention to a specific
actor or part of a scene.
• Soft lighting is a lighting aesthetic with little to no harsh shadows that’s bright yet
balanced.
• High-key lighting is a lighting aesthetic with no shadows and intense brightness,
bordering on overexposure. You’ll commonly see high-key lighting in a television sitcom,
a music video, or a commercial.
• Low-key lighting is a lighting aesthetic with a lot of shadows to create a sense of mystery
or suspense.
• Natural lighting uses and modifies the available light at the location of the shoot.
• Motivated lighting is a controlled lighting technique meant to imitate natural light sources
in the scene like the sun or the moon.
• Bounce lighting is a technique where light is bounced from a strong source toward the
actor with a reflector, which soften and spread the light.