Chapter 6 - Lighting
After reading this chapter, you should know . . .
- The difference between incident and reflected light.
- General illumination principles, such as intensity, contrast ratio, and color temperature.
- How and when to use a light meter and monitors.
- How to accomplish creative lighting objectives, such as shape, reality, mood, and focus of attention.
- The different types of lamps used in lighting instruments, such as LEDs, high-frequency fluorescents, quartz, and HMIs.
- The differences in the housing elements of spotlights and floodlights.
- The key, fill, and back lights needed for three-point lighting and their approximate ratios.
- Principles for multi-camera with movement, flat, and high-definition lighting.
- Specialized lighting, such as cameo, silhouette, chroma key, and shadows.
- How to mount lights.
- Equipment principles used to create intensity, diffusion, shape, and color.
- How and why to use a light plot.
- How to set up lights.
- The importance of safety.
1. Design a light plot (see Figure 6.35 for an example) for a three-person talk show as it might be laid out in your school’s studio. Make sure the plot indicates the type of light (scoop, pinned Fresnel, etc.), the purpose of each light (key, back, etc.), and the power (1K, 2K, etc.).
2. A modern dance number is going to be recorded in your school studio. The set consists of a curtain in the background and two pillars around which the performers will dance. Design a light plot (see Figure 6.35 for an example) showing how you might light this production.
3. In your school studio, set up a basic three-point lighting situation (see Figure 6.18). Alternately take out and replace the three light sources one at a time and then two at a time. Next, use a series of subjects to see the differences created by variations in hair, skin color, and clothes. Determine what adjustments, especially with the back light, need to be made for blond hair, dark skin, a light shirt, and so forth.
1. Assume a production situation where two people sit on a couch and talk, and then one of them moves to another area of a set and does a stand-up comedy routine. What lighting would you suggest for this type of situation?
2. As a lighting director, what steps should you go through before you start lighting the set? What are the first several things you should do when you are actually lighting the set?
3. What lighting safety precautions should you be aware of in your own studio?
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