Lighting terms

• What is exposure?

  • The amount of light that reaches the sensor or film stock
  • Mechanisms that determine the exposure: aperture(determines how much light enters the lens), shutter speed, and ISO
• What is the contrast ratio?

  • How we measure the difference between light and shadow in 2 areas of an image
• What is high-key lighting?

  • Expresses a low contrast ratio where the background and the subject are lit evenly with minimal contrast.
• What is low-key lighting?

  • Uses a high contrast ratio where the difference between light and shadow is larger with maximum contrast
• What type of scenes are high-key lighting used for?

  • Brighter, happier scenes
• What type of scenes are low-key lighting used for?

  • Darker, dramatic scenes
• What is chiaroscuro?

  • Type of low-key lighting with a high contrast ratio
  • Used in film noirs to enhance mysterious and dangerous qualities
• Hard light vs soft light:

  • Hard light- directional, creates stark shadows. Works best in dramatic/intense scenes
  • Soft light- diffused, generates less defined shadows. Used for happier/romantic scenes
• What is the 'dumb side' or 'broadside' ?

  • It's lighting the side of a subject that's closer to the camera- more approachable feeling.
• What is the 'smart side' or 'short side'?

  • Lighting the side of the subject that isn't facing the camera- more dramatic look.
• How are lens flares created?

  • When light hits the lens. Shapes and colours depend on the lens.
• What are bokeh?

  • Out of focus elements in a shot, typically points of light that add a romantic or painterly texture to the image
• What is 3-point lighting?

  • Illuminating a subject with light sources from 3 distinct positions (key light, fill light, backlight)
• How is 3-point lighting used?

  • No specific way.
  • Good lighting- cinematographer has more control over shadows
  • Helps to shape a subject to bring out the best/worst in them