Production - Lighting

Lighting when used properly is an expressive and powerful tool, which can
convey emotion, make a character appear evil or create a general mood.
It is a fundamental part of any photograph or video production.

Six Basic Objectives of Lighting

1. The most important objective in lighting is to provide sufficient
illumination for the camera to reproduce the image properly.
2. To provide a three-dimensional perspective, (the TV screen is only 2dimensional). Depth must be provided through the use of camera
angles, set design and the careful use of lighting.
3. To direct attention to important elements in a screen. The use of light
and shadows can reveal and conceal important elements in a scene. It
also is used to guide the viewers attention within a scene.
4. To establish the mood of a scene. Dark, shadowy lighting conveys a
feeling of mystery, tension, or drama. Brightly lit scenes give a sense
of happiness or fantasy.
5. Establish the time of day. The angle at which light hits a set and casts
shadows, its colour, and the overall level of illumination and contrast
within a scene all contribute to the feel of morning, noon, evening, or
night.
6. If you pay close attention to the amount of light hitting a scene, the
angles in which its hitting and the creative mixture of light and dark
areas in your picture it will contribute to the overall aesthetic composition
of a shot.

Note: A single production element such as lighting is usually not enough

to establish a feeling or mood, all of the elements must work together
to achieve the desired effect.