Unit 30 - Lighting Techniques

Camera and Lighting Techniques for Moving Image

Lighting is a paramount technique to consider in regards to photography and moving image production. Not only does it help to achieve the perfect exposure, it also depicts the desired ambience and overall mood, adding depths of visual appeal.

The three predominant camera settings: ISO, depth of field and shutter speed, must be balanced to produce the correct exposure. Although lighting plays a significant role in this, it is possible to have good exposure, but poor lighting. In the two images below there is a conspicuous difference in lighting; on the left, the two objects are well illumined, however the overall image appears flat. Conversely, in the second shot, there is much more depth and dimension, which is a result of a more creative lighting set-up.

Earnest, A (2013) Lighting for Product Photography. Buffalo: Amherst Media.

There are numerous things to consider when arranging lighting in order to capture a scene; for example, depending on whether the lighting is hard or soft will determine intensity. Hard light creates a defined structure in regards to the subject, creating a noticeable difference between areas of light and dark, hence producing high contrast, typically used to compose dramatic intensity or ambiguity and often associated with villainous characters in film. It is also a quality of lighting that can be used to direct focus upon a specific object or subject in the scene. This may further be reinforced by backlighting; a light source is placed behind the subject which makes the outline specifically distinct. Soft light is achieved with a relatively large light source, creating less contrast and producing a more natural feel. 

It it easy to let lighting dominate a shoot, however making use of natural light that is already available in a location, is a good start. Try and find a happy balance between great lighting and great expression from the subject (Lawrence 2012).
Whereas, your first priority is to light for 'visibility', proper lighting is also an artistic endeavour. Every lighting situation is unique and must be approached from an individualistic direction. the lighting depends on the writer's concept of the production and partly on the requirements set by the location, budget, availability of equipment and time to create the lighting ambience desired. (Musburger and Ogden 2014).

Depending upon the desired feel, artificial lighting is often used along side available natural light in order to create specifically striking scenes. Manipulation of lighting portrays a setting in an alternative manner to how the eye would perceive it, providing the photographer's interpretation of it and allowing the observer to acknowledge this.



Light also has the potential to colour a scene with a range of hues, transforming it warm or cold. Therefore, colour temperature is also an integral quality of light. As light is composed of red, green and blue wavelengths, the way it is used and controlled will determine how the camera's white balance should be utilised.

Lighting is a technique - a way of using light to reveal shape, form and texture and to tell the desired story about the subject and its features (Earnest 2013). 

Reference List:
Earnest, A (2013) Lighting for Product Photography. Buffalo: Amherst Media.

Lawrence, J (2012) Photographing Shadow and Light. USA: Amphoto Books.

Kawauchi, R (2011) Illuminance. New York: Aperture Foundation.

Musburger, J. Odgen, M (2014) Single - Camera Video Production. 6th Edition. Burlington: Focal Press.