3 Lighting for Film Free Online FlashCards

What do front light and side light tend to emphasize?

Front light tends to reveal detail; side light emphasizes shape and texture.

How do hard and soft light differ?

Hard light creates defined shadows; soft light creates gradual transitions.

How can reflectors and flags alter light intensity?

Reflectors add light, while flags or black fabric block or absorb it.

How can filmmakers manage differences in light color?

Fixtures, gels, or camera white balance can manage color; filmmakers may also preserve deliberate color contrast between sources.

What is available light, and how can it be shaped?

Available light is daylight or light already present at a location; it can be used as it is or shaped with tools such as diffusion, reflectors, and flags.

What is the key in three-point lighting?

The key is the main light shaping the subject.

How can lighting contrast influence a scene's mood?

Broad, relatively even illumination often feels open, while stronger contrast and deeper shadows can feel tense, private, or uncertain.

What reference can help check color and exposure when lighting changes?

A gray card photographed under the scene's lighting can provide a useful color and exposure reference, especially when conditions change.

What can backlight do for a subject?

Backlight can separate a subject from the background or create a silhouette.

How can a filmmaker make a light source appear softer?

A large source close to the subject, or light softened through diffusion, usually appears softer than a small, direct source.

What is one limitation of available light?

Available light can look convincing and be economical, but it changes with weather and time of day.

What is a practical light?

A practical is a visible light source in the scene, such as a desk lamp, that can suggest where illumination comes from.