In film & television, key light means: The main and strongest light on a subject, which sets the overall brightness and direction of light in a shot.
In Turkish: ana ışık, anahtar ışık
How it is used
The key light is placed first, usually to one side of the camera; the fill light softens its shadows and the backlight separates the subject from the background. The difference between key and fill is the contrast ratio.
Example sentences
Move the key light a bit to the left so her face isn't so flat.
In this scene the key light comes from the window.
Common collocations
set the key light
soft key light
key-to-fill ratio
key light source
Related terms
three-point lightingA basic lighting method that uses three lights: a key light for the main light, a fill light to soften shadows and a backlight to separate the subject from the background.
lightingThe use and arrangement of light sources on set to show the action clearly and to create the mood and look of a scene.
low-key lightingA lighting style with strong contrast, deep shadows and large dark areas, used to create mystery, tension or fear.
gafferThe head of the electrical and lighting crew on a film set, who carries out the cinematographer's lighting plan.
This word in other fields
The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:
