Lighting is an essential element in filmmaking. Light must be first properly set up and very accurately (shadows must look right, time of day must correspond with the lighting, etc) placed before shooting may even commence. The light setup is usually done by four basic components:

• Key Light: the main light, set up first, usually at a spotlight 45 degrees angle to the camera

• Fill Light: used to exemplify detail in shadowed areas, soft diffused light usually set close to the camera

• Back Light: for seperating the subject from the background

• Background Light: for lighting the background, may also be used to add a feeling of depth

Now that you know a bit about lighting, read on to find different ways it can be used!

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