P1:Types of lighting

In this blog post I will be explaining the lighting we will be able to use for our short film.

Three Point Lighting.

A traditional method for achieving a balanced and aesthetically pleasing look in cinema and photography is three points of illumination (three point lighting). The key light, fill light, and backlight are the three main light sources that are used. 

The shadows that the main light casts are softened by the fill light. It is positioned on the side opposite the primary light and works to equal out the lighting by lowering the contrast on the subject. 

The main topic or subjects are lit from behind by the backlight, which creates depth by separating the main subject from the background. It makes the edges of the subject stand out in a spotlight, giving them depth and dimension. 

You can manage the atmosphere, highlight certain elements, and produce an appealing environment by utilizing three-point lighting.

Chiaroscuro

Using the chiaroscuro lighting technique, dramatic and aesthetically arresting images are produced by manipulating the contrast between light and dark. In order to cast thick shadows and produce a sense of depth and dimension, it requires the use of powerful, directional lighting. 

Chiaroscuro lighting can be used to accentuate certain subjects or elicit a particular mood in your photos. For instance, you might use this approach in portrait photography to emphasize certain face characteristics or evoke a sense of mystery by throwing dramatic shadows. By highlighting the difference between light and shadow. Chiaroscuro lighting can enhance the drama and richness of your subject in still life photography.

You can experiment with various lighting options, including artificial and natural lighting, to get the ideal result. 

HMI lighting 

Pros:

- HMI lights produce a daylight-balanced color temperature, which is great for outdoor shoots or when you want to match natural light.

- They are powerful and provide a high output, making them suitable for large-scale productions or when you need to illuminate a wide area.

- HMI lights have a longer lifespan compared to tungsten lights, reducing the need for frequent bulb replacements.

Cons:

- HMI lights can be more expensive compared to other lighting options, making them less accessible for photographers on a tight budget.

- They require ballasts to operate, which adds to the equipment setup and can be bulky to transport.

- HMI lights may take a few minutes to warm up and reach their full brightness, which can be a drawback if you need immediate lighting adjustments.

Natural lighting

Pros:

natural lighting is a good option for certain short films as it is cheap and regularly available.

 It is easily editable in post production.

Light from the sun looks much more natural if that is what you want to convey.

Cons:

Light may not suit the project and not get across the emotion you want to.

Light will fade at night so having no equipment would put a halt to recording especially in winter.

Objects may bock the light  (such as tree cover) which may make it hard to find the right lighting.

Our Lighting

For our short film we will use natural light as it is accessible for the time of day we will be filming. For a more natural film we feel external lighting is not needed as the light of the sky works for what we are trying to convey. We have other lighting that will be accessible however we feel is it not needed for this project. We can edit the lighting after the film is made and we can alter it in post production.