Lighting and Colour

Lighting

• helps convey mood and atmosphere

• guides the audience’s attention to what is important

• conceals other elements in shadow, sometimes to build suspense.

Lighting Effects

Underlighting

The main source of lighting is from below. Distorts the subject.

Top LightingThe main source of light comes from above, highlighting features of a character. Makes a star look glamorous.

Lighting Effects

Back Lighting

The main light source is behind the subject. If little or no other lighting is used, silhouettes are created.

Sources of LightingKey Light• Usually the brightest

Back Light• Fills in the back, helping make the object look

more ‘rounded’

Filler Light• Helps soften harsh shadows. There may be

more than one filler light.

High Key & Low Key Lighting

Low-Key Lighting• Only key and back

lights are used, creating deep shadows.

High-Key Lighting• More filler lights are

used. The lighting appears normal and realistic.

Colour

• Colour creates mood.

• Different colours have different connotations.

• Colour can reflect a character’s emotions.

• Colour can be used symbolically, or to create a style for a film.

Shot 1

a. Describe the lighting. What effect does it have?

b. Describe the most important colour. What connotations does it have?

Shot 2

a. Describe the lighting. What effect does it have?

b. Describe the most important colour. What connotations does it have?

Shot 3

a. Describe the lighting. What effect does it have?

b. Describe the most important colour. What connotations does it have?

Shot 4

a. Describe the lighting. What effect does it have?

b. Describe the most important colour. What connotations does it have?

Shot 5

a. Describe the lighting. What effect does it have?

b. Describe the most important colour. What connotations does it have?