Three-point lighting

Consists of:

• Key Light

  • Usually the major source of illumination

  • Often it's a hard beam of light that casts hard shadows

  • Typically establishes the DIRECTION which the light is coming

• Fill Light

  • Generally on opposite side of the camera from Key and traditionally it's fairly close to the camera

  • Softer than key

  • "Fills" harsh shadows from Key

• Backlight

  • Generally above and behind subject

  • Sometimes called a "hair light"

  • Helps separate subject from background

  • Often difficult to determine source of backlight

• BUT WAAAAAIT...

  • This is a useful place to start, but not absolute formula

  • Always identify the key and fill (justify sources)

  • Ratio of key to fill has much to do with dramatic quality and intensity