Under-Lighting

Also in lighting

Where the light comes from and what it leaves in shadow — the setups and the moods of the day and the night.

ChiaroscuroAdvanced · Dramatic, Artistic

Extreme contrast between light and dark with very little in between. Borrowed from Baroque painting; the darkness does as much work as the light.

Rembrandt LightingIntermediate · Dramatic, Cinematic

Key light high and to one side, leaving a small triangle of light on the shadowed cheek. The classical portrait setup.

Split LightingIntermediate · Dramatic, Horror

The light comes from ninety degrees to the side, so half the face is lit and half is in shadow. Reads as division or duplicity.

Butterfly LightingIntermediate · Romantic, Cinematic

Key light high and dead centre, casting a small butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose. The classic glamour light.

Rim LightBasic · Cinematic, Dramatic

Light from behind that traces a bright edge around the subject, separating them from the background. Almost every night exterior uses it.

SilhouetteIntermediate · Artistic, Dramatic

The subject is unlit against a bright background, reduced to outline. Identity withheld — shape carries the whole shot.

Golden HourBasic · Romantic, Nostalgic

The hour after sunrise or before sunset. Low, warm, and very soft — flattering to almost everything, which is why it is worth the wait.

Blue HourIntermediate · Nostalgic, Artistic

The twilight window after the sun is gone but before full dark. Cool, even, and just bright enough to hold detail in the sky.

Harsh NoonIntermediate · Documentary, Dramatic

Overhead midday sun. Short hard shadows and blown highlights — usually avoided, which is exactly why it reads as unglamorous and real.

Practical LightIntermediate · Cinematic, Documentary

The scene is lit by lamps, screens and signs that are visible in the shot. Motivated light — the viewer can see where it comes from.

Neon LightingIntermediate · Cinematic, Artistic

Saturated coloured light from signage, usually two clashing hues. The look of a city at night in almost every film made since 1982.

CandlelightAdvanced · Romantic, Nostalgic

Lit only by flame. Very warm, very soft, and falls off fast — faces glow and everything a metre away is gone.

MoonlightIntermediate · Horror, Artistic

Cool, dim, directional light with deep shadows. Cinema's moonlight is a convention — real moonlight is far dimmer and has no colour at all.

High KeyBasic · Romantic, Documentary

Bright and evenly lit with almost no shadow. The look of comedy, commercials and daytime television — nothing is hidden.