Lesson 1 : Lighting basics
We would like to share our knowledge and passion with people who are interested in or discovering lighting in movies. Through different experiences, we are learned a lot about this vast world of lighting.
Before launching into the lessons of CGI oriented lighting, here's an important chapter to understand the physical principles of light and the tools used in live action. After all, CGI lighting is based on real-world methods, even if certain aspects change, we'll see about that in lesson 2.
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Table of Contents
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1. Physical property of light
2. Fundamental principles of cinematographic lighting
3. Cinema lighting tools and equipment
4. Lighting techniques in cinema
6. Technical aspects of photography
7. Sources
What is lighting in movie ?
Lighting in cinema is one of the most important aspects of filmmaking.
It plays an essential role in creating atmosphere, accentuating the emotions of the characters and telling the story. In this course, we'll explore what lighting is in cinema, its fundamental principles and the tools and techniques used to achieve impressive visual results.
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The lighting is a complex and creative discipline that requires a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles and a mastery of the tools and techniques available. By understanding how to manipulate light, filmmakers can tell stories in a visually captivating and emotional way.
Avatar 2 (2022)
1. Physical property of light
Light is a form of electromagnetic energy that propagates in the form of particles called photons. It behaves as both a wave and a particle, depending on the context, which is described by the wave-particle duality theory of light.
Here are the most important principles:
Light emission: Light is emitted by luminous sources, such as the Sun, Light bulbs, LED screens, stars and so on. This emission of light occurs when the atoms or molecules of an object or substance undergo a transition from one energy state to another. These transitions can be brought about such as electronic excitation, combustion, chemical reaction or even heat.
Propagation: Once emitted, light travels in a straight line as electromagnetic waves through space or a transparent medium (such as air, water or glass). Photons carry light energy and travel at a speed of 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum (the speed of light).
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Reflection: Light can bounce off a smooth, reflective surface, creating a mirror effect.
Refraction: Light can change direction as it passes from one transparent medium to another due to differences in density, as when light passes from air to water.
Absorption: Objects absorb part of the light that strikes them. The light energy is converted into thermal energy, which can heat the object.
Transmission: Light can pass through certain transparent materials without being absorbed or reflected, such as clear glass.
Color of light: The color of light depends on the frequency of its electromagnetic waves. The colors visible to the human eye fall within a specific range of light frequencies. For example, shorter wavelengths correspond to the colors blue and violet, while longer wavelengths correspond to the colors red and orange. reds and oranges.
White light: White light is a combination of all the colors of the rainbow. It can be obtained by mixing light sources of different colors or by dispersing light by dispersing light through a prism.
Luminous intensity: Luminous intensity is the total quantity of light emitted by a source, and is measured in lumens. The more lumens a source emits, the brighter it is.
Light is a form of electromagnetic energy emitted by light sources, which propagates in a straight line, interacts with matter in various ways and can be perceived by the eye can be perceived by the human eye in the form of visible colors.
Understanding these principles is essential for many applications, from photography and cinematography to optics and materials physics.
2. Fundamental principles of cinematographic lighting
There are 4 very important principles to remember:
- Luminous intensity: Luminous intensity is the quantity of light emitted by a source. It can vary according to the mood and effect desired in a scene.
- Light direction: The angle and direction from which light comes is essential for sculpting shadows and reflections on faces and objects. This creates contrasts and adds depth to the image.
- Light color: The color temperature of light (measured in Kelvin) influences the mood of the scene. Light sources can be set to produce warm (tungsten) or cool (fluorescent or LED) light.
- Contrast and softness: Controlling the contrast between lighted and dark areas can create different visual effects. The use of diffusers and reflectors makes light softer and softens hard shadows.
- Color temperature: Expressed in degrees Kelvin (K), this value determines the hue of the light. The higher the temperature, the bluer the light. Conversely, the lower the temperature, the redder the light. Here's a gradient of the Kelvin value.
3. Cinema lighting tools and equipment
Tungsten projectors: Tungsten projectors, also known as "mandarins" or "fresnels", are traditional light sources used in cinema. They produce a warm light and can be fitted with lenses to adjust the beam size. The lamp heats a tungsten filament to a high temperature, producing an intense light. This light is often referred to as "warm" because of its relatively low color temperature, which is around 3200 Kelvin.
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Tungsten projectors
HMI Lighting: Lighting in film production with HMI lamps is a commonly used technique in the film, television, and video production industry. HMI lamps (Hydrargyrum Medium-Arc Iodide) are powerful and versatile artificial light sources that offer many advantages for cinematic lighting.
HMI lamps produce high-quality light, similar to daylight in terms of color temperature (typically between 5,500 K and 6,000 K). This light is ideal for creating a natural and realistic look on screen. HMI lamps can be used for various applications, such as key lighting, fill lighting, background lighting, high-speed lighting, and more. They are also compatible with various accessories, such as reflectors, diffusers, gobos, etc., to create different lighting effects.
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HMI lamps are essential tools in the film and video production industry because of their ability to provide high-quality light, versatility, and energy efficiency. They are used to create a variety of moods and lighting effects while offering precise control over the light, making them a popular choice for lighting professionals in film production.
Fluorescent lighting: Fluorescent light sources are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and ability to produce different color temperatures. They are commonly used for accent lighting and special effects. Fluorescent lamps work by exciting a gas (usually mercury) inside the lamp tube. This excitation produces invisible ultraviolet (UV) light. The inside walls of the tube are coated with a fluorescent substance, usually a phosphor powder coating, which emits visible light when exposed to UV.
Fluorescent lamps have a color temperature that varies according to the type of phosphorescence used, but is generally cooler than that of tungsten lamps. This means that fluorescent lamps tend to produce light closer to daylight (white or slightly bluish), generally between 2700 and 6500 Kelvin.
LED lighting: LEDs are available in a wide range of color temperatures, from warm white (approx. 2700 K) to cool white (approx. 6500 K). This allows precise control of the quality of light according to need. LEDs are available in a wide range of color temperatures, from warm white (approx. 2700 K) to cool white (approx. 6500 K). This allows precise control of the quality of light according to need. LEDs are renowned for their durability. They have an extremely long life, often exceeding 25,000 hours of continuous use, which considerably reduces the need for replacement. Unlike fluorescent lamps, they light up instantly, with no need for warm-up or start-up time.
Reflectors and diffusers: Reflectors reflect light back onto a stage to illuminate shadowed areas, while diffusers attenuate light to make it softer and more uniform.
Here are some well-known types:
- Silver reflector: Reflects light in a more directional way, creating more intense illumination.
- Gold reflector: Produces a warm, golden light, similar to late-day sunlight.
- White reflector: Provides a soft, neutral light, ideal for softening shadows.
- Black reflector: Absorbs light rather than reflecting it, which can be useful for creating more contrasting shadow areas.
Reflectors are available in different shapes and sizes, from small pocket reflectors to large reflective panels. The choice depends on the scene, available space and specific lighting requirements.
Gelatins and filters: Gelatins are colored filters placed in front of light sources to adjust color temperature or create specific color effects.
There are two well-known types of gelatin:
- CTB gives a bluish tint
- CTO gives an orange tint
There are also flags or floppies for creating shadows or removing shadows.
4. Technical aspects of photography
To master and understand lighting, it's advisable to have a basic knowledge of photography. Here's a summary of the things you need to know to enhance your knowledge, ISO(Light Sensitivity), Shutter Speed and Aperture(Opening).
Photography is an art that relies on a combination of technical and creative elements. To capture an image, the photographer must master various parameters, including ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Once understood and used correctly, these elements allow for control over exposure, sharpness, and creativity in a photograph.
ISO
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ISO, abbreviation for the International Organization for Standardization, measures the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light. A higher ISO value indicates increased sensitivity, allowing for photography in low-light conditions. However, there is a trade-off to consider. Here are some key points to remember:
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Low ISO (100-400): Provides high-quality images with minimal noise but requires more light for proper exposure.
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Medium ISO (400-800): A good balance between image quality and light sensitivity. Used for most lighting conditions.
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High ISO (800 and above): Increases light sensitivity but may introduce noise in the image. Useful in low-light situations.
Shutter Speed
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Shutter speed determines the duration during which the camera sensor is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed freezes motion, while a slow speed creates motion blur. Here are some important aspects:
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Fast Speed (1/1000s and above): Ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as sports or action photography.
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Medium Speed (1/60s to 1/250s): Used for general scenes. Requires steady camera handling.
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Slow Speed (1/30s and below): Creates artistic motion blur, suitable for landscape, waterfall, or low-light portraits.
Aperture
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The aperture controls the amount of light that reaches the sensor by adjusting the lens opening. It also influences the depth of field, which is the area of sharpness in the image. Here's what you need to know:
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Wide Open (f/1.4 - f/2.8): Allows more light to reach the sensor. Creates background blur (bokeh) and a shallow depth of field, ideal for portraits.
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Medium Aperture (f/4 - f/8): A good compromise between light and depth of field. Often used for landscapes and group photos.
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Small Aperture (f/11 and above): Reduces the amount of light, increases depth of field. Useful for bright daylight or maintaining sharpness throughout the scene.
Combined Use
The key to successful photography lies in mastering these three elements simultaneously. ISO, shutter speed, and aperture are interdependent. You will need to adjust them based on shooting conditions, desired effects, and the type of camera you're using.
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In conclusion, understanding ISO, shutter speed, and aperture is essential to becoming a proficient photographer. These parameters allow you to control exposure, creativity, and sharpness in your images. Experimentation and practice are the keys to mastering these technical aspects of photography.
5. Lighting techniques in cinema
(We'll be coming back in detail with several analyses of different processes in future chapters.)
Three-point lighting:
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Key Light: This is the main light source that illuminates the main subject. It creates shadows and highlights on the face or object.
Fill Light: Used to soften the shadows created by the main light. It reduces overall image contrast by illuminating shadowy areas.
Backlight or Rim Light: This light is placed behind the subject to detract and separate it from the background. It creates a luminous contour on the subject.
Shutter island (2010) by Martin Scorsese
Good example for a side lighting with this technical
Silhouette lighting: In this technique, the subject is placed between the camera and a very bright light source (such as a window or spotlight) to create a dark silhouette of the subject. This can create a dramatic and mysterious effect.
Ambient lighting: This technique involves using soft, diffused light sources to evenly illuminate the entire scene. It creates a general atmosphere without harsh shadows, often used for romantic scenes or flashbacks.
Side Lighting: Light is placed to the side of the subject, creating strong shadows on one side of the face or object. This can add depth and texture to the image.
We'll be taking a closer look at all the different ways of lighting in future lessons !
6. Sources
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=Tungsten+projectors&title=Special%3ASearch&ns0=1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-lighting-techniques/
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/physics/waves-physics/light/
https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/how-lighting-affects-the-mood-of-films-8509e8eb1e18
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/physics/waves-physics/light/
https://melod.ie/blog/2020/08/17/the-basic-principles-of-film-lighting/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halogen_lamp
https://topsheet.io/blog/lighting-techniques-film
Images
https://beta.b2b.proel.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=25159
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prism_flat_rainbow.jpg
https://www.lampesdirect.fr/temperature-couleur
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_point_lighting.svg
https://www.amazon.fr/R%C3%A9flecteur-Lumi%C3%A8re-Multi-Disque-Photographie-SM-RFT05-60cm/dp/B081DKVWZ8
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/physics/waves-physics/light/
https://letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/backgrounders/light-and-its-properties
https://picclick.fr/Lot-g%C3%A9latine-LEE-FILTERS-ROSCO-ISO-Spun-th%C3%A9atre-255585747802.html
https://www.superprof.fr/ressources/physique-chimie/physique-chimie-2nde/propagation-de-la-lumiere.html
https://www.visualsfrance.com/projecteur-led/4471-600sa-6949987420026.html
https://www.mini-studio-photo.fr/reflecteur-photo/
https://topsheet.io/blog/lighting-techniques-film
https://unscriptedposingapp.com/blog/the-basics-of-iso-aperature-exposure-white-balance
https://www.velvetblue.ch/post/comprendre-la-sensibilit%C3%A9-iso
https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-shutter-speed.htm
https://www.slideshare.net/srgeorgi/shutter-speed-79917745
https://maratstepanoff.com/aperture-in-photography/