The theory of light is the theory that a film scene is lit with key light (the primary/main light source in the scene) to illuminate the subject in combination with back light and fill light which is used to reduce contrast/influence the key lighting and still offers the ability to keep a subject in focus.
This is showcased in Three-point lighting which is a traditional method for illuminating a subject in a scene with these three light sources from three distinct positions.
The position of the key light, fill light and backlight is showcased in the diagram below. Biteable
The Key Light is the primary light of the scene. The most intense/direct source of light within a scene, the first light to set up and used to illuminate the form of the subject or actor. Is the base foundation for the lighting of the scene and can be manipulated in multiple ways to create certain effects to change the tone of the scene, Studiobinder gives examples of methods to alter Key light.
"Methods to Manipulate a Key Light:
Diffuse the light for softer lighting,
Bounce the light off a wall or bounce board to create a softer light spread,
Moving the light further from a subject will create harsh shadows,
Adjust the angle of the light to achieve different looks"
Fill Light
Within visual media Fill Light is used to reduce the contrast of a scene to match the range of films detail that we would see with our own eyes and is considered average and normal. This commonly gives films a cinematic aesthetic in the way it assists the scene outlines there models and settings.
Backlighting is a type of spotlight and process of illuminating the subject from the back, this effect creates a glowing effect on the edge of the subject or person, while the other areas are darker. MediaFactory
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2015)
The use of fill light creates an outline of Jesse James in the light this is to showcase how his reputation has transcended him from a man to a mythical legend as his features of humanity are lost to the outline of a cowboy (with his hat outline) which he is now an eternal symbol for in history.
Own Example/Showcase
The video showcases the effect of each light in the 3 point setup, as we see the backlight and then fill removed from the footage and how this affects the lighting of the subject.
The three-point lighting system is great when experimenting with multiple different lighting styles during one shoot as it allows you to easily achieve a split lighting method by moving the key light to a more side on camera and turning off the fill and background lighting. However, this is just one example of the techniques you could achieve in this setup and unfortunately, this setup is not made to create epiretinal lighting methods as it heavily structured on the common lighting fixtures in photography.
Low Key Lighting
When the background is a lot darker than the face, we call it low-key lighting. This is typically used to create a sinister environment in horror films due to our innate fear of the dark and is used in film noir for a strong contrast between black and white (light and darkness). WolfCrow.com
Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Low key lighting in combination with split lighting technique showcases the fear of the character after waking up from a nightmare, however, the shadow encroaching and taking over the room and her shows how she is not safe further indicated by the cross being isolated in the darkness trapped. Saying even god can't help her now.
Evil Dead 2 (1987)
Low key lighting is used to great effect in this scene as it uses it to highlight how Ash cannot escape the cabin from the pitch black background of the forest and the harsh shadows inside the cabin highlight its decay and how the Deadites have taken over and corrupted this environment.
True Romance (1993)
Clarence's father is tortured by the men hunting him down, the low key lighting showcases how the father is surrounded signified by the henchmen and the darkness of the trailer while he sits alone under a natural spotlight. This shows his bravely being the only light in the darkness. However, this epic last stand is then ultimately shown to be pointless when they find the information they were looking for on his fridge after his death.
The Green Mile (1999)
Low key lighting is used to display the characters sadness to execute this man. The lighting highlighting the facial expressions and reactions as they all come to terms with the fact that an innocent man, a good man will die and as the sparks settle from the execution chair so does the characters hope and innocence fade from the film.
Own Example:
High Key Lighting
High-key lighting is a style of lighting that aims to reduce the lighting ratio present in the scene. Originally done partly due to technological limitations of early cinema. This is now usually used to imply an upbeat mood or within dream sequences. Contrastly.Com
Harry Potter Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
High key lighting is used to signify that Harry is in the afterlife the white colour plate to invoke the description of heaven within the Christianity so when he reunites with Dumbledore we understand that Harry is dead.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor has a vision of his father for the last time, the natural lighting of Iceland becoming high-key as it represents the familiar lighting of Asgard which is foreshadowing for where the Asgardians are going to live in future Marvel films. This is also to represent heaven which is why Thor is able to contact his father from beyond the grave giving him the knowledge and hope (represented by the high key light) to defeat his sister.
500 Days of Summer (2009)
The protagonist's happy mood is manifested with the use of high key light as it invokes imagery of old Hollywood musicals in combination with the upbeat music signifies the characters honey mood period of dating summer, this scene is then repeated with the lighting reversed to lowkey to show the deterioration of his mood later in the film. However, this scene is used to perfectly showcase what the early parts of dating someone can feel like as the lines between reality and fictional fairytale blur.
Elysium (2013)
The use of high key light on the rich colony of Elysium was used to showcase how it was paradise however in this last one n d the lights of Elysium go out and then are deactivated the light urns into hope for the future citizens of Elysium that Max has sacrificed himself to allow them to come to Elysium, he in a way opens up the gates to heaven and allows the poor and unfortunate to live like the rich who have abused their power on the lower class from this paradise the whole film. This use of light signifies the new hope humanity has in its future where all can live without pain and suffering.
Own Example:
Lighting Technique and Examples
Rembrandt Lighting
Used in studio photography and cinematography, it is created by using a light and a reflector (or using two separate lights) used due to its ability to make an image seem natural and compelling with only a few pieces of equipment. Commonly used to highlight a singular subject and used in the industry for headshots of models and actors as it highlights the features in the lighting while also giving a natural look to the model's appearance giving both a more flattering image while also being accurate to the models face.
Originated due to its use in the portraits by a dutch painter called Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rij, in his paintings which had the same light on the subjects which hold the iconic triangle under the subjects eye and due to its dynamic look is still used in photography today.
Self-Portrait with Beret and Turned-Up Collar (1659)
Rembrandts portrait showcases his technique as it highlights the features of the subject as it showcases the lines within the face while drawing the eye due to its harshness on the side of the subjects face making a dark portrait eye-catching using light rather than colour.
Adorama: "How to get Perfect Rembrandt Lighting: Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey" Jan 2, 2020
Edge/Split Lighting
Split lighting is a technique that has the key light harshly lighting one side of a subject's face, while the other side is unlit in darkness and shadow.
Evenly split in light and darkness on the technique is usually used to create symbolism, whether it be the moral decision a character must make one good one evil. This is most often used in cinema in the crime and drama genre as it is used to show the descent of a character into darkness as they make increasingly more and more decisions for self-benefit as they are seduced by crime such as The Godfather (1972) and Goodfellas (1990).
Dtcommercial.com "split-lighting-diagram" by Jodi Jones November 11, 2016
Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)
Walter Whites morale transition from working dad to drug lord throughout the series using split lighting as we see him become corrupted by the power and control he gets over others as he sells more and more meth. This split lighting highlights the man Walter was to the man that he is slowly becoming with each act of violence and power he gains from his illegal activities.
Butterfly lighting or Paramount Lighting ( due to its origin in old Hollywood Glamour Photography) is when the key light is above a subject and centred on there face, creating a shadow under the nose giving a clear view of the model's facial features. This is also used in the industry for headshots of models and actors due to its flattering portrayal and its clean texture allowing you to clearly see the models face. Can be used in films to look back on old Hollywood like The Artist (2011) which focuses on the silent film period use butterfly lighting in static shots to reenact this photos of the film stars from the golden age of Hollywood.
Stackexchange.com "What is butterfly lighting, and when do I use it?"
This defining photo of Marilyn Monroe uses butterfly lighting to capture her image and is an iconic depiction of her at the height of her career and is often reimagined in photos in modern photography to this day and is used often as a symbol for old Hollywood stars.
Fstoppers "How to Photograph a Headshot with Butterfly Lighting" Nov 22, 2015
Experimental Lighting
Experimental Lighting is a term used to describe unconventional forms of lighting in a scene or photo, this term can be used to describe anything from the use of gels to create colour tinted light in scenes or use of large shadows with standalone use of Key Light.
Twin Peaks (1990 - 1991)
David Lynch uses experimental lighting in his films and within the show, Twin Peaks to create a dream-like environment as it seems like a fantasy. The singers being highlighted in blue lighting shows the sad emotion she brings to the lyrics of the song as often in media the colour blue is used to symbolise sadness and expresses the sadness the characters listening to her as they all feel trapped in the town of twin peaks. Her being lit in blue while the rest of the stage is in red can also showcase the men in the audiences desire to be with her (red meaning passion) however this blue spotlight indicates how she is unattainable out of reach.
Richard Kovacs: I Will See You in My Dreams, ItsNiceThat.Com
Richard Kovac uses blue experimental lighting with the hard outline of his subjects unableness to be with each other as their features are invisible and the title of the piece emphasises the wish to see each other in their dreams, which can be symbolic of lost love or deceased loved one this image none the less it uses experimental lighting to create a sense of longing in the viewer.
Own Two Examples (shadows and using makeshift materials)
Overall I accurately showcase examples of different lighting setups, however, I think it could be more understandable and helpful to understand the difference between lighting setups by showcasing a model being lit by these different methods and evaluating the metaphoric and the technical difference in each.
despite me demonstrating experimental lighting to improve in the future I should light a subject and use them to create a deeper meaning to my image whether creating emotion with colour gels or some other method of experimental techniques.
Reference List:
Biteable, "The Best Video Lighting Kits to Make Your Videos Look Pro" (Online) Available at:
Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Directed by Wes Craven, Evil Dead 2 (1987) Directed by Sam Raimi, True Romance (1993) Directed by Tony Scott, The Green Mile (1999) Directed by Frank Darabont
Gabriel M, "Understanding The Basics of High Key vs Low Key Lighting" (Online) Available at:
Harry Potter Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) Directed by David Yates, Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Directed by Taika Waititi, 500 Days of Summer (2009) Directed by Marc Webb, Elysium (2013) Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Rembrandt Portrait, Self-Portrait with Beret and Turned-Up Collar (1659)
Split Lighting Example,
Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013) Showrunner Vince Gilligan
Butterfly Lighting Example,
ExpertPhotography.com "10 Best Portrait Lighting Patterns (Using Just One Light!)" by Hillary Grigonis (Online) Available at:
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