Lighting blog tasks

1) Still image analysis

Look at the still images on slides 33-37 of the Film Language PowerPoint linked above. Copy the images into your blog and answer the following questions for each image:

Identify examples of high and low-key lighting.

Say which depict top, back or under lighting.

What effects are created by the lighting in each image? 

1. Low key lighting
2. Top and back lighting
3. Creates a expansive contrast between light and dim which is most discernible in Noir

1. Low key
2. Top light (soft)
3. Creates a lot of shadow and covers up the setting and most of the character creating a sense of mystery or horror

1. high key

2. Top, back and filler

3. Creates a striking or intimidating image of the character

1. Low key

2. Top, back, filler

3.  The shadows and lit up background make it seem like a thriller with action and possibly intended to be noir

1. High key

2. back, top

3. Creates an atmosphere of fear in the character through the shadows possibly horror

1. High key

2. key light, ambient

3. The natural lighting of the scene makes it quite romantic as its much softer and realistic

Image 7:

1. Low key

2. Back lighting

3. The striking contrast of the light and shadow creates a striking image, possibly a noir or crime as the backlight creates shadows over the actors

1. Low key

2. Back lighting

3. Face clearly shown by background left in darkness making the image feel quite suspenseful as if there is something there, horror

Image 9:

1. High key

2. Top, filler light 

3. The use of high key makes the image feel much softer and rounded, gives off a much more calming atmosphere 

1.High key

2. Ambient-key light, lack of filler and other lights  

3. Horror, intimidating uneasiness of the unknown

1. High key

2. Back, bottom, slight use of filler lights

3.Softer lighting created by high key makes the image feel a little more relaxed and romantic

2) Film noir research 

Research film noir - focusing on the genre’s distinctive lighting style. Make notes on the genre and particularly the use of lighting - bullet points are fine. 

Not known whether is should be characterised as a full on genre or subgenre as film noir has been utilized for more than fair crime shows but moreover westerns and comedies

others argue its a designation for black and white film made in the 1940s and 50s

Motivation for the (genres) lighting can be traced to 'the cabinet of specialist Caligari' (1920)

This sort of lighting was utilised to form more serious tones

without the utilisation of this sort of lighting a few interesting impacts can not be utilized in the event that normal lighting or colour was utilized instep such as sparkling light and blazing neon