Studio Lighting techniques

Lighting is an essential part of cinematography and video production. Lighting provides enough illumination to produce a technically acceptable picture. It conveys a visual sense of space, time and mood. Studio lighting helps to clear the shape, texture and important details desired.

When filmed, the subject and the background look two dimensional to the viewers. Lighting helps to create a convincing three dimensional image by separating the subject and layers or background of the scene. A cinematographer plans how light falls on and around the actors, how light bounces and reflects onto subjects, and where then highlights and shadows are to be.

·         Styles of lighting

There are various kinds of lighting styles applied during a production. Some of them are:

1.      Directional or Hard Light

It illuminates a relatively small area with a clear and sharp light beam. Hard light produces shadows. Shadows can reveal shapes and details of the environment. When it is used effectively it can create vibrant images and emotions.

2.     Differed or Soft light

Soft light illuminates a large area with a wide blurry light beam. It can be used to lessen or avoid shadows. When it is effectively used it can produce sensitive effects. It is also used to compare with the potential harshness of directional light.

3.     High key Lighting

High key light is a highly bright light stream and diminishes the dark areas or shadows within the scene. It produces strong lighting on the subject and the other features present in the scene.

4.     Low Key Lighting

In this type of lighting only few areas are illuminated. It produces more shadow areas. It enhances the depth of the scene and subjects using highlights and shadow.