property of light (direction) - determines placement of highlights and shadows and reveals texture
property of light (quality) - determines quality or sharpness of shadows
property of light (color) color, tint. saturation of overall image or parts of image
property of light (quantity) - Overall sense of the brightness of the image
- guides us to determine the exposure
- contrast of image
- high key (bright), low key( dim)
Key Light main or predominant light source.
Fill light lights that fill-in the shadows and control the contrast of the image
Backlight any light that comes from behind the subject, it is often called a hairlight. Its use
and brightness are very stylistic choices
Kicklight a low backlight that skims the side of the face
Eyelight: a light that brings illumination to the eyes.
Background light lights used to light the background separately from the subject
Ambient light overall base or ambient light in a scene (bounce from walls and ceiling)
hard/direct light light output from a direct source travels in an aligned, focused path. Clearly
defined shadows
Soft light Light output from an indirect source travels in a non-aligned, diffuse path.
The contrast/lighting ratio difference in brightness between the highlights and shadows
- measured as difference in f stops
2:1 = 1 stop difference (= twice as bright)
4:1 = 2 stops difference (= 4x as bright)
8:1 = 3 stops difference (= 8x as bright)
16:1 = 4 stops difference
32:1 = 5 stops difference
Basic electricity watts = volts x amps (think west virginia, W = VA)
Actual amps A = W/120v (standard voltage)
Paper amps A = W/100V
- less accurate, but easier way to figure it out (esp on set)