Lighting OverviewLighting OverviewLecture prepared 9/8/10

by John M. Grace,film worker and instructor

D.A.T.A. Charter High SchoolAlbuquerque, NM© 2010, John M. Grace

All Rights Reservedfor use availability,

email Newestprod@aol.com

3-Point Lighting3-Point Lighting3-Point lighting is the lighting technique used by cinematographers on most professional productions. It is easy to understand but it takes a lifetime to master.

In addition to 3-Point lighting, there are also 5-Point and 7-Point lighting scenarios which we will also discuss and analyze.

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingJust as it sounds, 3-Point lighting refers to lighting the subject from three angles. The lighting positions are referred to as the Key Light, the Fill Light and the Back Light .

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingJust as it sounds, 3-Point lighting refers to lighting the subject from three angles. The lighting positions are referred to as the Key Light, the Fill Light and the Back Light .

Cam

era

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingJust as it sounds, 3-Point lighting refers to lighting the subject from three angles. The lighting positions are referred to as the Key Light, the Fill Light and the Back Light .

Cam

era

600w Key Light

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingJust as it sounds, 3-Point lighting refers to lighting the subject from three angles. The lighting positions are referred to as the Key Light, the Fill Light and the Back Light .

Cam

era

600w Key Light 300w Fill Light

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingJust as it sounds, 3-Point lighting refers to lighting the subject from three angles. The lighting positions are referred to as the Key Light, the Fill Light and the Back Light .

Cam

era

150w Back Light

600w Key Light 300w Fill Light

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingThe Key and Back lights are roughly 45o from the camera axis. Like all rules, this rule is made to be broken as you will see in the upcoming lighting scenarios.

Cam

era

150w Back Light

600w Key Light 300w Fill Light

45o

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingThe Key and Back lights are roughly 45o from the camera axis. Like all rules, this rule is made to be broken as you will see in the upcoming lighting scenarios.

Cam

era

150w Back Light

600w Key Light 300w Fill Light

45o 45o

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingThe Key light is generally twice the intensity of the Fill light which is twice the intensity of the Back light. Again, these numbers are very general and vary depending on the application.

Cam

era

150w Back Light

600w Key Light 300w Fill Light

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingThe Key light is generally twice the intensity of the Fill light which is twice the intensity of the Back light. Again, these numbers are very general and vary depending on the application.

Cam

era

150w Back Light

600w Key Light 300w Fill Light

3-Point Lighting3-Point LightingThe Key light is generally twice the intensity of the Fill light which is twice the intensity of the Back light. Again, these numbers are very general and vary depending on the application.

Cam

era

150w Back Light

600w Key Light 300w Fill Light

The most common type of lighting instrument used in film and television is the Fresnel. The Fresnel is named for the inventor of the lens which was originally designed for lighthouses.

Types of LightingTypes of Lighting

The Fresnel lens has concentric rings that help focus and direct the light. Most Fresnels utilize tungsten globes or lamps (not bulbs). Tungsten refers to the steel used in the filament inside the globe.

The most common type of lighting instrument used in film and television is the Fresnel. The Fresnel is named for the inventor of the lens which was originally designed for lighthouses.

Types of LightingTypes of Lighting

The Fresnel lens has concentric rings that help focus and direct the light. Most Fresnels utilize tungsten globes or lamps (not bulbs). Tungsten refers to the steel used in the filament inside the globe.

The most common type of lighting instrument used in film and television is the Fresnel. The Fresnel is named for the inventor of the lens which was originally designed for lighthouses.

Types of LightingTypes of Lighting

The Fresnel lens has concentric rings that help focus and direct the light. Most Fresnels utilize tungsten globes or lamps (not bulbs). Tungsten refers to the steel used in the filament inside the globe.

The most common type of lighting instrument used in film and television is the Fresnel. The Fresnel is named for the inventor of the lens which was originally designed for lighthouses.

Types of LightingTypes of Lighting

The Fresnel lens has concentric rings that help focus and direct the light. Most Fresnels utilize tungsten globes or lamps (not bulbs). Tungsten refers to the steel used in the filament inside the globe.

The most common type of lighting instrument used in film and television is the Fresnel. The Fresnel is named for the inventor of the lens which was originally designed for lighthouses.

Types of LightingTypes of Lighting

The Fresnel lens has concentric rings that help focus and direct the light. Most Fresnels utilize tungsten globes or lamps (not bulbs). Tungsten refers to the steel used in the filament inside the globe.

Types of LightingTypes of LightingThe Fresnels made by Mole Richardson have been the workhorses of the film industry for the past 30-40 years. All Fresnels are constructed similarly and it is important to learn the parts of these popular lighting instruments.

Mole Richardson

Types of LightingTypes of LightingThe Fresnels made by Mole Richardson have been the workhorses of the film industry for the past 30-40 years. All Fresnels are constructed similarly and it is important to learn the parts of these popular lighting instruments.

Mole Richardson

Types of LightingTypes of LightingThe Fresnels made by Mole Richardson have been the workhorses of the film industry for the past 30-40 years. All Fresnels are constructed similarly and it is important to learn the parts of these popular lighting instruments.

Mole Richardson

Types of LightingTypes of LightingIn addition to Mole Richardson, Fresnels are also manufactured by a number of other companies including Arriflex (Arri), Bardwell McCallister, LTM and DeSisti. They range in intensity from 125 watts to over 20,000 watts.

DeSisti FresnelLTM FresnelBardwell-McAlisterArri Fresnel

Types of LightingTypes of LightingIn addition to Mole Richardson, Fresnels are also manufactured by a number of other companies including Arriflex (Arri), Bardwell McCallister, LTM and DeSisti. They range in intensity from 125 watts to over 20,000 watts.

DeSisti FresnelLTM FresnelBardwell-McAlisterArri Fresnel

Types of LightingTypes of LightingIn addition to Mole Richardson, Fresnels are also manufactured by a number of other companies including Arriflex (Arri), Bardwell McCallister, LTM and DeSisti. They range in intensity from 125 watts to over 20,000 watts.

DeSisti FresnelLTM FresnelBardwell-McAlisterArri Fresnel

Types of LightingTypes of LightingIn addition to Mole Richardson, Fresnels are also manufactured by a number of other companies including Arriflex (Arri), Bardwell McCallister, LTM and DeSisti. They range in intensity from 125 watts to over 20,000 watts.

DeSisti FresnelLTM FresnelBardwell-McAlisterArri Fresnel

Types of LightingTypes of LightingIn addition to Mole Richardson, Fresnels are also manufactured by a number of other companies including Arriflex (Arri), Bardwell McCallister, LTM and DeSisti. They range in intensity from 125 watts to over 20,000 watts.

DeSisti FresnelLTM FresnelBardwell-McAlisterArri Fresnel

Types of LightingTypes of LightingThe other type of lights commonly used in the motion picture business are referred to as HMI’s (Hydrargyum Medium Arc-Length Iodide). HMI’s produce daylight color temperature light very efficiently due to their unique ballast system.

Types of LightingTypes of LightingHMI’s are available as both Fresnels and PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) spot lights. Their output per watt is almost 2X greater that that of tungsten instruments, they have a lower operating temperature and come in a range of wattage.

Types of LightingTypes of LightingHMI’s are available as both Fresnels and PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) spot lights. Their output per watt is almost 2X greater that that of tungsten instruments, they have a lower operating temperature and come in a range of wattage.

Types of LightingTypes of LightingHMI’s are available as both Fresnels and PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) spot lights. Their output per watt is almost 2X greater that that of tungsten instruments, they have a lower operating temperature and come in a range of wattage.

Types of LightingTypes of LightingHMI’s are available as both Fresnels and PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) spot lights. Their output per watt is almost 2X greater that that of tungsten instruments, they have a lower operating temperature and come in a range of wattage.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Three Basic Attributes of Light: Coherence (Quality)

Hard and Soft Light Color Temperature

Daylight and Tungsten Intensity

Wattage and OutputFoot Candles and Lumens

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Hard LightLight is transmitted directly from a small point source and results in relatively coherent (parallel) rays. This gives the light a hard, crisp, sharply defined appearance. The light from a clear, unfrosted light bulb, a focused spotlight, or the sun in a clear sky are hard light sources

Hard Lighting Instruments

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LTMPARLight

Ianiro“Red Head”

ETC Source 4Leko Spotlight

MoleOpen Face

Ianiro“Blonde”

Soft Light

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Soft (diffused) light has the opposite effect. As shown in the photo on the left, soft light tends to hide surface irregularities and minimize detail.

There are numerous techniques used to soften or diffuse hard light sources.

Soft Lighting Instruments

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China Balls

“Chimera”Soft Boxes

Mole Richardson Fresnel

LED LightingZiplight

or Soft LightKinoFlo Diva Fluorescent

Controlling CoherenceDiffusion refers to the

practice of softening hard light with diffusers. A common type of diffuser is silk fabric stretched in a frame. Small diffusion frames are called flags, 6x6 to 8x8 frames are butterflies and the 12x12 to 20x20 frames are called overheads.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling CoherenceDiffusion refers to the

practice of softening hard light with diffusers. A common type of diffuser is silk fabric stretched in a frame. Small diffusion frames are called flags, 6x6 to 8x8 frames are butterflies and the 12x12 to 20x20 frames are called overheads.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling CoherenceDiffusion refers to the

practice of softening hard light with diffusers. A common type of diffuser is silk fabric stretched in a frame. Small diffusion frames are called flags, 6x6 to 8x8 frames are butterflies and the 12x12 to 20x20 frames are called overheads.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling CoherenceFilters also known as

lenses are attached to open-face lights (especially HMI’s) to help diffuse and direct the light. A set of lenses usually includes a spot, a fresnel, a “stipple” and one or two wide angles.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling CoherenceDiffusion also refers to many

types of gels (plastic filters) that are used to soften and reduce the intensity of lights. Some popular diffusing gels are frosts (250 and 216 and Hampshire ), grid cloth, opal, and toughspun. Gels are attached to barn doors with clothespins (C-47’s or bullets).

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling CoherenceDiffusion also refers to many

types of gels (plastic filters) that are used to soften and reduce the intensity of lights. Some popular diffusing gels are frosts (250 and 216 and Hampshire ), grid cloth, opal, and toughspun. Gels are attached to barn doors with clothespins (C-47’s or bullets).

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling CoherenceDiffusion also refers to many

types of gels (plastic filters) that are used to soften and reduce the intensity of lights. Some popular diffusing gels are frosts (250 and 216 and Hampshire ), grid cloth, opal, and toughspun. Gels are attached to barn doors with clothespins (C-47’s or bullets).

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Color Temperature The second attribute

of light, color temperature, refers to its basic color as measured in degrees on the Kelvin color temperature scale (Ko).

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Color TemperatureAlthough light can be any

color between ultraviolet and infrared, There are two colors we are concerned with: 5,600oK for daylight and 3,200oK for tungsten lamps.

Camcorders are programmed with these two values as their white balance presets.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Infrared

Ultraviolet

5600o K

3200o K

Color TemperatureTungsten lights operate at

3,200oK while HMI’s burn at 5,600oK. To match a tungsten instrument with daylight or an HMI, we attach a CTB (color temperature blue) color correction gel to the light. To match an HMI with tungsten we attach CTO (color temperature orange).

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Color TemperatureTungsten lights operate at

3,200oK while HMI’s burn at 5,600oK. To match a tungsten instrument with daylight or an HMI, we attach a CTB (color temperature blue) color correction gel to the light. To match an HMI with tungsten we attach CTO (color temperature orange).

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Color TemperatureTungsten lights operate at

3,200oK while HMI’s burn at 5,600oK. To match a tungsten instrument with daylight or an HMI, we attach a CTB (color temperature blue) color correction gel to the light. To match an HMI with tungsten we attach CTO (color temperature orange).

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling IntensityDimmers are the traditional

way to control the intensity of lights. Unfortunately, as the wattage decreases, the color temperature decreases as well. Dimmers come in sizes ranging from 600 watts called “hand squeezers” to dimmers that can handle 20,000 watts.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling IntensityDimmers are the traditional

way to control the intensity of lights. Unfortunately, as the wattage decreases, the color temperature decreases as well. Dimmers come in sizes ranging from 600 watts called “hand squeezers” to dimmers that can handle 20,000 watts.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling IntensityDimmers are the traditional

way to control the intensity of lights. Unfortunately, as the wattage decreases, the color temperature decreases as well. Dimmers come in sizes ranging from 600 watts called “hand squeezers” to dimmers that can handle 20,000 watts.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling IntensityScrims resemble a frame of

finely-woven screen wire like that found in a screen door. A full set includes two doubles, a single, a half-single, a half-double and a gel frame. Adding a single reduces the light's intensity by 30% and a double reduces it by 60%.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling IntensityScrims resemble a frame of

finely-woven screen wire like that found in a screen door. A full set includes two doubles, a single, a half-single, a half-double and a gel frame. Adding a single reduces the light's intensity by 30% and a double reduces it by 60%.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling IntensityScrims resemble a frame of

finely-woven screen wire like that found in a screen door. A full set includes two doubles, a single, a half-single, a half-double and a gel frame. Adding a single reduces the light's intensity by 30% and a double reduces it by 60%.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling IntensityLike scrims, some flags (called

nets) can reduce the intensity of a light without changing the color temperature. In addition to a single net and a double net, a full set of flags includes two solids, and a silk. One side of some flags is open to make it easier to blend the shadow.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Controlling IntensityLike scrims, some flags (called

nets) can reduce the intensity of a light without changing the color temperature. In addition to a single net and a double net, a full set of flags includes two solids, and a silk. One side of some flags is open to make it easier to blend the shadow.

Lighting 101Lighting 101

Thanks for your attention

End of Lighting End of Lighting OverviewOverview

This presentation is continued on the PPT

entitled “Lighting Analysis”