5 Introduction to Basic Three-Point Lighting
The most common lighting set up requires three lamps or light sources, namely the Key Light, Fill Light and Back light. These are the three building blocks of lighting, which are used to shape a scene and together are commonly referred to as as ‘Three-Point Lighting’ and should form the basis of every lighting situation.
5.1 Key Light
The ‘Key Light’ (also known as the ‘Modelling Light’) is the predominant or main light on a subject, and in most situations is there to represent the sun and will, therefore, be a hard light. Whilst this is dependent on the effect you are trying to create, a Key light is normally placed 45° up (vertically) from the subject and 45° off-axis between the subject and the camera position. The Key light is usually the brightest lamp in the set-up, compared to the Fill and Back lights. Ideally, every subject in each set-up (in an interview situation, for example) will have their own Key light.
5.2 Fill Light
The ‘Fill’ light is used to balance the Key light by softening its shadows. It is often placed on the opposite side of the camera to the Key – but it may come from almost any angle depending on the effect you are trying to create. A standard configuration would place this lamp 45° up from the subject. Whilst this Fill light may often be of the same power (Wattage) as the Key light, it is generally half the intensity of the Key light, which is achieved by adding either neutral density filters, scrims, diffusers – or simply moving the lamp further from the subject.
5.3 Back Light
The ‘Back’ Light is placed behind the subject and opposite to the Key light. The spread of the light should cover the back of the subject from the background.
It should be placed above the subject, making sure that the lamp and its stand do not come into shot. The Back light should be a hard light, roughly half the intensity of the Key light, though this will depend on the colour of the subject’s hair. For example, blond hair will generally need less light, whereas dark hair may require more light.
5.4 Other Light Sources
Three-point lighting should be the basis for most lighting set ups, but remember that in addition to using lamps you can utilise natural light sources such as windows to model your subject, obviously making sure that all sources are matched for colour temperature.
