Lighting is a crucial element in the world of animation and cinematography. It serves as the primary light source to create mood, highlight characters, and enhance the storytelling process. In animation, lighting techniques are meticulously designed to ensure that each scene is illuminated perfectly, guiding the viewer's attention to the desired focal point. Studio lighting setups often include tools like softboxes, reflectors, and diffusers to control the illumination and achieve the desired color temperature.

For example, a three-point lighting setup, which consists of a key light, fill light, and back light, is commonly used to create a balanced and realistic lighting environment. Soft light produced by softboxes helps to soften shadows, making characters appear more appealing, while hard light can be used to add drama and depth to a scene. The use of fluorescent bulbs and LED lights allows for versatile and energy-efficient lighting, with the ability to adjust brightness using dimmers.

Additionally, lighting kits often come with various accessories like light stands and umbrellas to control and direct light more effectively. Understanding lighting design is essential for animators and filmmakers as it significantly impacts the visual narrative. Whether working with daylight or studio lighting, the goal is to create an immersive experience that enhances the overall impact of the film. Proper lighting not only adds realism but also contributes to the emotional tone of a scene, making it a vital tool in animation and cinematography. In the world of 3D animation, render engines like RenderMan, V-Ray, Arnold, and others are used.



Source covers : 
Wikipedia
Monster Academy Pixar
Star Wars 7 / Mad Max / Joker / Lalaland
Harry Potter 4 / James Bond Skyfall and Casino Royal / The dark knight / Star Wars 3