MMS 175 (Videography in Multimedia) - UNIT III. Module 7. Lighting Techniques
MMS 175 (Videography in Multimedia) - UNIT III. Module 7. Lighting Techniques
Lighting Techniques
Prepared by FIC Juancho Victor L. Moreno, UPOU FICS
LIGHTING
Introduction
Kinds of Lights used in Video
3 POINT LIGHTING
Basic Lighting Techniques
Narrative Lighting
Cinematic Lighting
INTRODUCTION
Without light, we cannot accomplish anything as videographers. We use light to create depth in what
would otherwise be a 2 dimensional screen. We also use it as a storytelling device.
In the article below, Richard Lackey discusses the four (4) basic lights that are commonly used in video
production. He talks about Fixtures (Fresnel & Practicals); Performance Factors (CRI & Color
Temperature) and finally the Light Sources: Tungsten, HMI, Fluorescent and LED. He lists down the
advantages/disadvantages of each. He also indicates the uses for each one.
Lackey, R. (2015). Let There Be Light – Four Common Film Lights. Cinema5D. Retrieved
September 9, 2019 from https://www.cinema5d.com/common-types-of-film-lights/
3 POINT LIGHTING
This is the most commonly used lighting set-up there is. In the video below, the three (3) basic lights are
discussed: Key Light, Fill Light and Back Light. There is a brief demonstration of what these lights look
like when they are individually engaged.
FilterGrade (2018). Three Point Lighting Basics for Photography/Video. YouTube. Retrieved on
September 9, 2019 from
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=moz35&p=three+point+lightng+for+video#id=
1&vid=3064b2792a2f7dabed9cd3febb013a77&action=view
The following video was recommended by Dr. Grace Alfonso in the previous videography classes. It is
9:55 minutes long. The video is done by Mia McCormick. She begins by discussing the different kinds of
MMS 175 (Videography in Multimedia). UNIT III. Module 7. Lighting Techniques
Prepared by FIC Juancho Victor L. Moreno, UPOU FICS
light sources, and makes recommendations for each. Then she discusses basic lighting set-up for a Basic
Interview using 3-point lighting.
In his book, John Jackman talks about basic lighting techniques. He talks about the importance of
creating depth using shadows and highlights. He also discusses Key light, Fill light and back light. He goes
further by discussing angles of these lights. He shows alternatives such as two (2) lights and a reflector;
single soft light set-up; the use of kickers; and explains the difference between hard and soft light. You
only need to read Chapter 5, pages 91 to 107. However, the rest of his book is also very interesting. He
discusses interview set-ups, advanced lighting, lighting low-budget films, etc.
Jackman, J. (1957). Lighting for Digital Video and Television, 3rd Edition. New York, NY. Focal
Press.
Narrative Lighting
Lighting can be used to tell a story, hence the term “narrative lighting”. In the video below, seven (7)
rules for narrative lighting are explained and given examples of. I’ve summarized the Rules below the
link for easy reference.
Aparture (2018). How to Tell Story with Lighting / 7 Essential Rules. YouTube. Retrieved
September 9, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjYhdNUIkl8
Cinematic Lighting
“Lighting is to Film, what Music is to Opera.” That is how this video begins. Some items in this film are
redundant in relation to the material already provided above. However, the approach to the subject is
very interesting. The video is 24 minutes and 29 seconds long, so brace yourselves for a long watch.
Nikolas, Media Division (2019). Cinematic Lighting Explained. YouTube. Retrieved on September
9, 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCPsy_LQqYc
RESOURCES
FilterGrade (2018). Three Point Lighting Basics for Photography/Video. YouTube. Retrieved on
September 9, 2019 from
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=moz35&p=three+point+lightng+for+video#id=1&vid=3
064b2792a2f7dabed9cd3febb013a77&action=view
Jackman, J. (1957). Lighting for Digital Video and Television, 3rd Edition. New York, NY. Focal Press.
McCormick, M. (2013). Three-Point Lighting Tutorial. BHPhotoVideo. Retrieved on September 17, 2019
on https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/three-point-lighting-
tutorial
Nikolas, Media Division (2019). Cinematic Lighting Explained. YouTube. Retrieved on September 9, 2019
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCPsy_LQqYc