Lighting

How it is used

The cinematographer designs the lighting and the gaffer's team sets it up. People talk about natural, soft, hard, harsh, moody or flat lighting, and they light a scene (verb). Lighting setups take time, so schedules allow for them.

Example sentences

1. The lighting in the bar scene is warm and low, almost like candlelight.

2. We need forty minutes to change the lighting for the reverse angle.

Common collocations

• natural lighting
• soft lighting
• lighting setup
• lighting change
• light a scene

Related terms

• key lightThe main and strongest light on a subject, which sets the overall brightness and direction of light in a shot.
• 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.
• gafferThe head of the electrical and lighting crew on a film set, who carries out the cinematographer's lighting plan.
• low-key lightingA lighting style with strong contrast, deep shadows and large dark areas, used to create mystery, tension or fear.
• cinematographerThe head of the camera and lighting departments, who decides with the director how the film will look: framing, lenses, camera movement and light.