Lights—Camera—Action!

Over the years I’ve had a sense of what I wanted to shoot, how to shoot it and how best to deliver that message, but I can’t help but always get excited over the thought that all I’ve learned is still just the beginning. I’ve gone and done my best to apply the things I’ve learned into the many projects that I do, and many come out the way I want them too. I’ve even thought about how much I’ve improved, but there’s been a key important prop that I’ve never seen the need to really apply, until I recently watched a lecture on it. It’s a word that is usually said right before they say “Camera and Action". That’s “Lights!”

I’ve never thought much about how best to light a scene and it was only until now that I realized the beauty of a well lit scene. Lighting a scene is more than just putting a light on the side of your camera. When done right, your scene can go from a normal, dark room, to a room with a specific mood, a touch of color and depth to a character from the background. I wanted to share 3 simple steps to accomplishing that cinematic effect on your shot with the help of lights.

Number one is motivated lighting. When you’re in a room, find an obvious light source like a window. Putting your light on the side imitating the light from the window gives your audience a clear idea of where the light is coming from in the shot. This helps to set the mood of the scene you are in and having the light there can give you that touch of shadows on the subject.

Number two, shoot shadow side. This is when your light is at a 45 degree angle facing the subject and your camera is shooting on the darker side of your face. This will give your scene a more cinematic look and have more depth.

Lastly number three, background lighting. This is where you add another source of light behind or in the background of your subject. Things like lamps, candles and more can make your scene give off an interesting feel with its lively touch of color and depth behind the subject. I’m excited to try these new lighting techniques I learned on my next project.