Lighting definitions

1. Key light definitions-
The key light is the first and usually most important light that a photographer,
cinematographer, or other scene composer will use in a lighting setup. The purpose
of the key light is to highlight the form and dimension of the subject.
As the principal source of illumination, the major function of the key light is to reveal
the basic shape of the object. To reveal the basic shape, the key light must produce
some shadows. Fresnel spotlights, medium spread, are normally used for key
illumination.







Fill light definitions-

In television, film, stage, or photographic lighting, a fill light (often simply fill)
may be used to reduce the contrast of a scene and provide some
illumination for the areas of the image that are in shadow.
A light placed to the side of the subject to fill out shadows and balance the
key light.

2. Backlighting definition-
Backlighting refers to the process of illuminating the subject from the back. In other
words, the lighting instrument and the viewer are facing towards each other, with
the subject in between. This causes the edges of the subject to glow, while the
other areas remain darker. The backlight can be a natural or artificial source of
light. When artificial, the back light is usually placed directly behind the subject in a
4-point lighting setup.











High Key lighting-
Is a style of lighting for film, television, or photography that aims to reduce the
lighting ratio present in the scene. This was originally done partly for technological
reasons, since early film and television did not deal well with high contrast ratios,
but now is used to suggest an upbeat mood. It is often used in sitcoms and
comedies. High-key lighting is usually quite homogeneous and free from dark
shadows. The terminology comes from the key light (main light).

3. Rim Lighting-
The Rim Light (also called Back Light) creates a bright line around the edge of the
object, to help visually separate the object from the background.












Chiaroscuro lighting-
Is characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts
affecting a whole composition. It is also a technical term used by artists and art
historians for using contrasts of light to achieve a sense of volume in
modelingthree-dimensional objects such as the human body.