Lighting

Types of Lighting

Lighting can be said to fall into two distinct catagories:

• Directional (or "hard") - this is a highly focuses direct beam resulting in sharp, dense shadows. A spotlight is good example as it produces a narrow and highly directional beam.
• Diffused (or "soft") - undefined beam causing soft, transparent shadows. Floodlights serve as a good source of diffused light.

Types of Shadows

• Attached Shadow - these reveal form and texture and are controlled by the direction of either a hard or soft light source
• Cast Shadow - are independent of the objects that cause them and help to define spatial relationships

In addition to the floodlights and spotlights mentioned above, production professionals make regular use of a battery of other devices including reflectors like umbrellas, foil covered cards, matte cards, etc. and gels which are pieces of translucent (see-through) film which are used to change the color of the light. Gels come in a variety of colors each effecting the light source differently. Be sure to check our examples of lighting setups in action

Color Temperature

Color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin and provides a means of measuring a light source. A skilled production professional will use a device called a light meter to determine the current color temperature and then alter the light source to arrive at the desired temperature. Indoor light typically has a reddish tint to it has a low Kelvin rating whereas outdoor light has a much higher rating and demonstrates a blueish tint. Flourescent lights are in between and register a greenish tint. Gels are often used to impact the tints caused by color temperature.