Light Theory

Lighting is "one of the most important keys in making a quality video" (1). When creating a video, there are several things relating to lighting that you need to consider because they will affect the outcome of the image and as a result, will convey a certain feeling or mood. The first of these is the exposure, which is the amount of light that is entering the camera and hitting the sensor. Three factors affect the exposure, which are shutter speed, aperture and ISO. In moving image, shutter speed isn't generally changed except to compliment the frame rate being used. However, aperture and ISO can be changed based on creative intent, such as setting a low aperture to gain a shallow depth of field.


Next there is lighting techniques, which relates to mostly artificial lighting but can be applied to natural light. If the light source isn't intense, the result will likely be low-key lighting, and can end up "giving a feeling of enclosure" (2) and making the scene feel serious or dark in tone. On the flip side, if you have an intense light source, or flood the scene, the result is high-key lighting which "is used to suggest an upbeat mood" (3).


The position of your lights is also hugely important in terms of creating shadows are texture, especially in close up shots of faces. For example, if you are looking to create mood in your shot, you should consider off-centering your light so that you create shadows in the subject's face. But if you are looking for a more uplifting, flattering outcome then having three lights in a rembrandt style setup will give better results. This technique produces that are compelling but look naturally lit.


Natural lighting is completely different to artificial lighting setups, and is unpredictable. However, with movies like 'The Revenant' using almost entirely natural light (4), it is possible to get really great results. Shooting in the middle of the day tends to create harsh shadows on the face of your subject but earlier in the morning or later in the evening you get 'the golden hour' which is before and after sun rise and sunset, where the light is softer and richer in tone, producing more pleasing results.


1- Knice Creative. 2016. Importance of Lighting in Video Production - Knice Creative.

2- Millerson, GM, 1991. Lighting for Television & Film. 4th ed. Massachusetts: Focal Press.


3- Wikipedia. 2016. High-key lighting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.


4- PetaPixel. 2016. 'The Revenant' Was Shot Almost Entirely with Natural Light.