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For the film, 46-year-old Haskell Wexler used several techniques to light up the actors and the locations. He was able to achieve a gritty, realistic look by using available light sources whenever possible, and enhancing the light that already existed with 1,000-watt or 2,000-watt nook lights. For example, bright lights were placed on the top of the location that normal streetlights stood.

Wexler also employed the effective technique of putting a truck up on jacks and flashing the headlights on and off to simulate the appearance of passing cars on the actor's faces. And, by using battery operated recreational vehicle lights inside the cars, Wexler was able to light the actors so they were visible in the cars.

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As a favor to his friend, Haskell Wexler worked long hours to help create a neon-lit aura that Lucas desired.

Local storeowners were encouraged to leave their lights on after they closed so the crew would have light from the store windows.

"I'm not gonna say I was like a son to him, but it was sort of like that: I was like the student and he [Wexler] was like the teacher," says Lucas

Wexler made the film a work of spectacular visual impact where the exteriors and the cars stand out in shiny chrome and red and blue neon colors that are rich and deeply saturated.