Basic Single-Light Techniques for Photography and Film
Mastering how to control and manage light is essential to becoming a proficient photographer or videographer. If you are new to using off-camera lighting, this short video by Film Riot provides an excellent demonstration of how a single light can be used to produce a variety of effects.
This video demonstrates several popular cinematic lighting techniques achieved by moving a continuous light source around a model’s face. Depending on where the light is positioned, the overall mood conveyed to the audience can be very different. For example, short-side lighting creates more contrast than broad-side lighting, producing a more dramatic effect. Other techniques presented in the video include side, Rembrandt, and rim lighting. Cross-lighting is a popular cinematic technique for lighting two subjects. Besides demonstrating these techniques on a model, the video also refers to several screenshots from popular feature films that demonstrate the techniques being discussed.
Gaining an understanding of how to create a variety of looks with just one light is an important first step before taking the plunge in toying with a multi-light setup. Even if you primarily use flash photography, playing with continuous lighting is a great way to get a real-time preview of how moving a light around your subject can produce many different looks.
