Three-Point Lighting
While natural lighting can often work well, to get consistently good results you need to take control of the lighting of your videos. For many situations -- particularly for indoor shoots -- the "3-point system" is used. That is, light sources from three different angles are directed toward the subject. The three light sources usually differ in intensity and other qualities.
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The first and most important light source is called the "key" light. The upward/downward angle of the light can lend an element of emotion to your video (e.g., think of the flashlight pointed upward to your face in an otherwise dark room, which is pretty spooky.) The key light is usually somewhat elevated, to emulate sunlight, and placed to one side or the other, rather than straight-on. The key light generally provides contrast between the subject and the background -- especially when the background is dimly lit -- and between features of the subject that are lit and those that are in shadow. |
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The second light source, called the "fill light," is generally used to soften the contrast and shadows. It is usually of lesser intensity than the key light, and may actually be some kind of reflector that re-directs the light from the key light and other light sources from a different angle. It is often shone at a slightly upward angle to the subject. |
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The third light source has been variously called the "back light," the "rim light," the "hair light," and perhaps some others. It is positioned behind the subject, and its primary purpose is to spatially separate the subject from the background. In many instances, it provides a third dimension to an otherwise flat view. |
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