Three-Point Lighting Setups

 Three-point lighting is a commonly used method for lighting up a specific subject in a scene with light sources from three specific points. These three lighting types are backlight, fill light and key light.

Image taken from: Flex Clip

Key Light:

Key light is the most intense source of light on scene and is therefore the primary light source for the scene. The key light would be set up before the backlight or fill light and is used as the base foundation for the lighting of the scene and can be changed in multiple ways to create different effects such as positioning the light source at different lengths from the subject and at different angles to create different types of contrast and shadows . However, the most important role of the key light will always be to allow correct exposure.

Backlight:

The backlight hits the subject from behind and is usually placed higher than the subject. The backlights main function is usually to separate the subject from a darker background and give more shape and depth to the subject. Backlight can be used alone (without key light and fill light) to create a silhouette effect.


E.T. : Across the moon scene
In the movie E.T. , backlighting is used in the scene where Elliot and E.T. fly over the moon, this makes the audience see E.T. as a mysterious being with unexpected powers and intentions compared to stereotypical other word life forms intentions within film. This use of backlighting represents the constant mysterious natures that E.T. presents throughout the whole movie.

Fill light:
Fill light is traditionally a less powerful light that is used to literally fill in the high contrast shadows that the key light creates, fill light brings out the details of the subject. Fill can be used to virtually eliminate shadows which creates a low contrast look.

Rembrandt:
Rembrandt lighting is a technique most successful and accurately achieved using artificial light. Rembrandt can be achieved by placing one key light between a 45 and 60 degree angle from the subject, the light should always be above the subject so as it casts the correct shadows. The finished product of rembrandt lighting should be dramatic and create a strong, sharp contrast, and most importantly, the most noticeable feature of this lighting technique is a triangle of light that will form under the subjects eye. This lighting technique is mostly used for portrait, one of the reasons for this is because the iconic triangle instantly snaps the audiences attention to the subjects eyes, allowing the audience to empathise with the subjects emotions. This technique also creates a mysterious undertone due to it being an example of lowkey lighting and posing the question to the audience "what are they hiding?". Rembrandt was named directly after a famous painter (Rembrandt) who often used the technique within his portraits and self portraits.

Edge/split:
Split lighting is a technique where half the face is lit up whilst the other side is in shadow, the side that is lit up will have extra emphasis on the fine detail of the face. This lighting technique can create a sense of duality and mystery, with the half of the face being hidden making the audience think theres a hidden side to the character, because of this factor, this lighting technique is often used on subjects portraying villains/antagonists to further the implications of their dark intentions. Due to the nature of this lighting technique, it is best to use artificial light. It is achieved by placing your key light at a 90 degree angle from your subject, this will directly and clearly light one side of the face whilst casting harsh shadows on the other side of the face.

Butterfly:
Butterfly lighting is a, normally portrait, lighting technique where a (intense) key light is placed above the subject and directly centred with their face, the light needs to be more intense so the shadows casted do not create too much contrast. This will create a shadow under the subjects nose that resembles a butterfly. This technique is usually used on female models as the shadows casted under the cheekbones and chin, create a soft, flattering look. This lighting technique is usually more effectively achieved when using a reflector to add extra warmth and depth to the subject and should be placed under the chin to remove any harsh shadows casted.
My examples:


Reference list:

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