Lighting Setups and Techniques

High Key Lighting 

This is where there is a strong key light in the scene and the fill light is very intense causing softer shadows and less contrast. High Key lighting is used to create a very well lit scene usually with multiple light sources. This form of lighting is created when there are soft shadows and very little contrast therefore, the use of soft boxes and diffusers can help create a well lit scene which doesn't contain too many shadows. If the light source you used is very small this will create more contrast and shadows therefore, it is best to use large lights which will cover you entire scene. As well as being able to physically alter your lighting you can also change your brightness and contrast levels in post-production in order to make the shot exactly how you want it. High key lighting is used most commonly in commercials and interviews where you don't need shadows and contrast for dramatic effect (Adobe). It can also be used other situations for example in film it can be used to symbolise good and innocence a good example of this is in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, in this film Harry Potter goes to heaven when he is there the scene is very bright and white to suggest a theme of goodness, this meets the audiences representation of heaven therefore, making it easier for the audience to infer the location of the scene. 

Low Key Lighting

This form of lighting has many harsh shadows and very few white and mid-tones. There should be big contrasts between the light and dark tones in the scene. This lighting technique is used to create a mysterious and/or tense atmosphere in a scene, it is very commonly used in horror and thriller films however, it is also used in many other films mainly dramas. Using low key lighting allows you to easily draw the audiences attention to matters which are more serious or emotional. The film genre of film noir use low key lighting often as it creates harsh shadows which make the scenes seem more dramatic. In order to achieve this effect in your video you should used fewer lighting sources. When shooting in low key lighting using a darker background to shoot is the most effective as it reflects less light onto the surroundings in your scene (Adobe). A good example of low key lighting can be seen in the movie "Joker", this film is a narrative about what turns the once good clown into a villain, it is very emotional throughout therefore, the use of low key lighting reflects the clowns sad life which only seems to get worse. In the elevator scene there is only one light source above the characters, this creates many shadows under the eyes, the nose and mouth which makes the character look more mysterious and scary.

Natural Lighting

This refers to light that is already naturally in the scene a good example of this is the sun, the sun is the brightest source of light there is and helps create shots which reflect reality best. The use of natural lighting is used very commonly in documentary in order to create the technique of verisimilitude which is where a media product very closely reflects reality. Natural lighting is also used in films and adverts most commonly only when shot outside as this offers less shadows created by structures. Shooting with natural light makes the audience trust the footage more as it relates closer to reality, this is why natural light is used in films, it makes the information given seem as real as the footage being shown to the audience. For example in David Attenborough's documentary "A Life on our Planet" all the footage is shot in primarily natural light sources like the sun. This makes the footage hold a stronger effect on the audience because we know it is real, when suggesting the world needs to change their ways to protect our planet he talks directly to the camera so the audience feel like they are directly talking to him, he uses natural light which although may create shadows which aren't the most flattering however, they make the explorer seem more sincere allowing the audience to trust what he is saying.  

Rembrandt Lighting

Rembrandt lighting is a lighting technique most commonly used in portrait, in order to recreate the Rembrandt style you will need to have full control over your lighting therefore using natural sources such as the sun would make this very difficult. The technique takes its name from famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt who commonly depicted the technique within his portraits particularly, in his self-portraits. This type of lighting is very dramatic, it creates sharp contrasts between light and dark. The main feature of Rembrandt lighting is that it forms a triangle shape of light under the eye, this draws the audience's attention to the eyes allowing the to infer emotion. The effect creates a mysterious tone due to the low key lighting. In order to create this technique you will need to place the camera at a 45 degree angle of the subject. The key lighting should be place at half the distance of your camera on the other side of the subject at roughly a 75 degree angle from the subject. The key light should be place above the subject angled down. It is best to use few lights for Rembrandt in order to make sure the shadows are very shard in order to create a dramatic tone (Minoia).

Butterfly Lighting

Butterfly lighting is a soft key light directed at the subject's faced, the light should be higher than the subject angled down. The butterfly lighting effect is usually used on female models as it makes them look more flattering, it creates shadows underneath the cheek bones and under the chin to give some soft definition to the face. In order to recreate this technique you will need a camera, a key light and a reflector. The camera will be placed directly in front of the subject, the key light will be place above the subject facing down towards them, this light should be directly in front of them. The light should be fairly intense in order to create soft shadows on the face rather than harsh shadows. If using LEDs which create a very white light, don't have them too bright as this can make the skin complexion look very pale and washed out, using diffusers on the light will make the light a lot softer and more natural. The use of a gold reflector can help add some warmth back to into skin to make the subject radiantly glow. The reflector should be placed under the chin as this is where harsh shadows can be spotted, the reflector should be angled towards the face (Bidun).

Split/Edge Lighting

Split lighting is a lighting technique which lights up half the face whilst keeping the other side shadowed. The side with strong lighting will emphasize the texture of the skin and little details on the face. The contrast between each side of the face is what makes the technique to intense, it gives an image a sense of mystery, the character has a split face which can connote to a different hidden side to their personality. It suggests the side which is lit is the side of themselves which they portray to the public the other side is hidden. In order to create split lighting you must place your key light at a 90 degree angle from the subject, this will light the one side of the face whilst creating a harsh shadows on the other side. The camera should be placed directly in front of the subject (Martinez). 

My Example of Lighting Techniques

Reflectors

Reflectors are used throughout film and photography, they allow you to reflect light in order to create a soft reflection of light on the subject. You can place reflectors below the face in order to fill in shadows or you could place them above to block distracting light (K.T.). There are multiple different reflectors which all create a different effect. The use of a silver reflector allows you to reflect most light, they are most commonly used in studios as they do not alter the colour of the reflected light. The use of white reflectors doesn't bounce back as much light as the silver reflector therefore, it creates a softer look. The use of a gold reflector is mainly used outside, the gold reflectors catches the light of the sun and amplifies the hue of the sun. When used inside these reflectors will reflect a very harsh yellow colour making the subject look unnatural. The use of black reflectors doesn't actually reflect light, it does the opposite, it absorbs the light, they are used so that if there is too much light in your shooting area you can absorb some light (Drenner).

Experimental Lighting Setups

There are many ways to use light in an experimental manner, for example you could place objects in front of your source of light in order to create shadows the shape of the object which will be visible in the shot. By creating your own shadows in the shot you could infer your own meaning into it making the shot deeper having a greater effect on the audience. Another common experimental method is the use of projection, you can project images onto you scene in order to create a deeper meaning for the audience to infer. 

References

Adobe, Unlocking the Secrets to High Key and Low Key Lighting (Online)
Available at : https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/video/discover/low-key-vs-high-key-lighting.html

Minoia, A., Rembrandt Lighting Photography: What is it and How to Use it? (Online)

Available at : https://expertphotography.com/rembrandt-lighting-photography/

Bidun, S., 2020. What is Butterfly Lighting and How to Use it in Portrait Photography (Online)

Available at : https://bidunart.com/what-is-butterfly-lighting-and-how-to-use-it-in-photography/

Martinez, S.R., What is Split Lighting? (Online)

Available at : https://expertphotography.com/split-lighting/

Drenner, D. 6 Ways of Using Reflectors to Take Better Portraits (Online)

Available at : https://digital-photography-school.com/6-ways-of-using-reflector-to-take-better-portraits/

K.T., Reflector Basics (Online)

Available at : https://photographycourse.net/reflector-basics/