Lighting Research

1. LIGHTING RESEARCH
BY EMMA BATHE-TAYLOR

2. HIGH-KEY LIGHTING
 High-key lighting was originally used to create low contrast between brighter
and darker areas for technological reasons, as early film and television did
not deal well with high contrast ratios.
 Nowadays high key lighting in a scene is used to connote an upbeat mood and
safe atmosphere as it is free from dark shadows; particularly as it is often
used in sitcoms and comedies.
 High-key lighting found its use in Hollywood cinema as it was well suited to
three-point lighting.

3. LOW-KEY LIGHTING
 The term “low-key” is used to refer to any scene that has a high lighting
ratio, especially if there is a lot of shadowy areas.
 Low-key lighting is used to convey a sense of alienation, tension and mystery
to the audience, meaning that it is used in mostly horror/thriller and film
noir.

4. AMBIENT LIGHTING
 Ambient light refers to the light that is already present in a scene before any
additional lighting is added; usually referring to natural light either through a
window or outdoors.
 It can also be referring to artificial lights such as room lights that are already
present in the scene.