3-Point Video Lighting
Key, Fill, & Backlight
How to setup 3 point lighting
The light sources are labeled as such:
- Key Light — Used as your primary lighting point
- Fill Light — Used to fill opposite the key light
- Backlight — Used to extract the third dimension
3 point lighting
3 point video lighting is all about creating a three-dimensional look. By placing three light sources at strategic points around the subject, each light source illuminates a separate dimension of the subject and creates an image with greater representation of height, width, and depth.
Three point lighting deals with the relationship each light has with one another. This is called the light intensity ratio.
Generally, the key light to fill light ratio is 2:1.
This means that your key light should be twice as bright as your fill light. The relationship of intensity and placement can change depending on your goals, but the above ratio will give you a relatively cinematic look for narrative filmmaking and even some YouTube videos.
If you're doing a commercial or corporate video, you may want the ratio to be closer to 1.5:1 so that you get a much more inviting image. If you use a 1:1 ratio, your image may be too flat and devoid of dimensional benefits.
Three point lighting deals with the relationship each light has with one another. This is called the light intensity ratio.
Generally, the key light to fill light ratio is 2:1.
This means that your key light should be twice as bright as your fill light. The relationship of intensity and placement can change depending on your goals, but the above ratio will give you a relatively cinematic look for narrative filmmaking and even some YouTube videos.
If you're doing a commercial or corporate video, you may want the ratio to be closer to 1.5:1 so that you get a much more inviting image. If you use a 1:1 ratio, your image may be too flat and devoid of dimensional benefits.
Source of light
Film lighting is all based on light source intensity and angles:
Take a look at how the sun was used as a key light in various shots for this scene from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood:
- Source of light — refers to the physical origin
- Angle of light — refers to the path of approach
- Intensity of light — refers to the amount/brightness
Take a look at how the sun was used as a key light in various shots for this scene from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood:
| link for video |
Tips for Setting Up Three-Point Lighting
There are several key components to successfully setting up three-point lighting and creating a polished, professional video.
Establish your light's "motivation." Before you begin setting up your lighting kit, you have to know precisely what look you want to achieve and why. Lighting setups are never random. The source of light in your scene needs to make sense based on the environment that your characters exist in. Is it an overcast sky? Sunset? A dark alley? Once you have established the motivation, you can proceed to place and adjust your light kit to achieve that effect. (You may also want "unmotivated" light. In horror, having unnatural light gives the sense that something is off and unsettles viewers. You must still establish that beforehand.)
Consider light source size and distance. The size of a light source relative to the subject size determines how "hard" (sharp, distinctive edges) or "soft" (smooth, feathered edges) your shadows will be. A smaller light source creates harder, distinct edges, while a bigger one softens the shadows. In studio lighting, if you want a softer look, you place enlarging modifiers such as an umbrella, softbox, or another diffusion between the light source and the subject. Due to this relative size condition, the distance of the light source to the subject will also affect shadow softness. If you put the source closer to the subject, the shadows will be softer. The shadows will be harder if you pull the light back from them, making the relative size to the subject smaller.
Consider the intensity of your light source. "Brightness" is the measure of a light source's intensity. You measure it in lumens with a light meter. With LED lights, fluorescent lights, and incandescent lights, you control the output intensity, which affects the look of your scene. Brighter light will create harsher edges and shadows.
Consider the position of your light sources. Where you place your lights relative to your subject and the camera determines where shadows fall. This relates again to sensibly creating an environment—if your key light represents the sun, it should accurately reflect the angle and height of that source. How you position your fill and backlight affects whether there are deep, moody shadows or an optimistic, even light cast across your scene.
Test your setup. After you have determined your lights' motivation, their size, distance, intensity, and position, set everything up so you can see exactly how all the lights work together and whether or not their effect is precisely what you intended it to be. If it is not, make adjustments until everything is perfect.
The Three Point Lighting Technique is a standard method used in visual media such as video, film, still photography and computer-generated imagery. It is a simple but versatile system which forms the basis of most lighting. Once you understand three point lighting you are well on the way to understanding all lighting.
The most important thing to be said about how to build video lighting setups, including 3 point lighting in film, is that it all depends on your creative goals. If you need a clean and corporate look, you'll probably want to build a more standard 3 point lighting setup for your video. Your three point lighting setups should always depend on your creative goals.
The look can change based on the ratio of your light sources. If you have a very strong key light, but have a weak fill light, your subject will be unevenly lit — which can be a good for those creepy horror shots.
Want to create a creepy look for a horror film? Why not study some of the best horror films you should see as a fan of the genre. You can still use a three point lighting setup for the dimensional benefits, and adjust the setup (intensity + angle) in a way that still achieves intended look.
The most important thing to be said about how to build video lighting setups, including 3 point lighting in film, is that it all depends on your creative goals. If you need a clean and corporate look, you'll probably want to build a more standard 3 point lighting setup for your video. Your three point lighting setups should always depend on your creative goals.
The look can change based on the ratio of your light sources. If you have a very strong key light, but have a weak fill light, your subject will be unevenly lit — which can be a good for those creepy horror shots.
Want to create a creepy look for a horror film? Why not study some of the best horror films you should see as a fan of the genre. You can still use a three point lighting setup for the dimensional benefits, and adjust the setup (intensity + angle) in a way that still achieves intended look.
How to build a key light setup
This is the main light. It is usually the strongest and has the most influence on the look of the scene. It is placed to one side of the camera/subject so that this side is well lit and the other side has some shadow.
A key light is the primary light point for your scene. The key light is most often placed in front of your subject, at an angle, and thus illuminates one section of your subject.
Th key lights angle can range from 15 and 70 degrees, with 45 degrees being most commonly used. For cinematic 3 point lighting, the key light often lands on the front portion of your subject that is faces away from the camera, also commonly referred to as the "smart side".
Positioning you key light in this way is by no means required, but it will allow your less intense fill light to favor the camera which, in turn, will give your image a smoother look that is still well lit.
Place your key light anywhere you wish. Bounce it off walls or through material, just as long as it hits the front of your subject at an angle. Once you've decided where to place your key light setup, you can then accurately determine where to place the fill light and backlight.
A key light is the primary light point for your scene. The key light is most often placed in front of your subject, at an angle, and thus illuminates one section of your subject.
Th key lights angle can range from 15 and 70 degrees, with 45 degrees being most commonly used. For cinematic 3 point lighting, the key light often lands on the front portion of your subject that is faces away from the camera, also commonly referred to as the "smart side".
Positioning you key light in this way is by no means required, but it will allow your less intense fill light to favor the camera which, in turn, will give your image a smoother look that is still well lit.
Place your key light anywhere you wish. Bounce it off walls or through material, just as long as it hits the front of your subject at an angle. Once you've decided where to place your key light setup, you can then accurately determine where to place the fill light and backlight.
How to build a fill light setup
This is the secondary light and is placed on the opposite side of the key light. It is used to fill the shadows created by the key. The fill will usually be softer and less bright than the key. To acheive this, you could move the light further away or use some spun. You might also want to set the fill light to more of a flood than the key.
A fill light is the second light for your scene, and its purpose is to fill in missing light for your video. It is often placed in front of your subject, opposite to your key light, also at an angle to continue to create some depth, but also to bring out detail in the other side of your subject.
The angle at which you place your fill light does not have to be identical to your key light, but if you are going for an even, polished look for a commercial or interview, you may want to rely on symmetry.
Angle isn't everything, because the light intensity matters too.
The fill light intensity is generally suggested at around 50-75% of the intensity of your key light. In many marketing and commercial situations, you should actually go higher like 85-95% so as to get a more even look, but you can also go down to 25-45% to get some really cinematic lighting looks that you would see in narrative filmmaking.
A fill light is the second light for your scene, and its purpose is to fill in missing light for your video. It is often placed in front of your subject, opposite to your key light, also at an angle to continue to create some depth, but also to bring out detail in the other side of your subject.
The angle at which you place your fill light does not have to be identical to your key light, but if you are going for an even, polished look for a commercial or interview, you may want to rely on symmetry.
Angle isn't everything, because the light intensity matters too.
The fill light intensity is generally suggested at around 50-75% of the intensity of your key light. In many marketing and commercial situations, you should actually go higher like 85-95% so as to get a more even look, but you can also go down to 25-45% to get some really cinematic lighting looks that you would see in narrative filmmaking.
How to build a backlight setup
The back light is placed behind the subject and lights it from the rear. Rather than providing direct lighting (like the key and fill), its purpose is to provide definition and subtle highlights around the subject's outlines. This helps separate the subject from the background and provide a three-dimensional look.
A backlight (rim light, or hair light) is the third light for your video lighting setup, and its purpose is to offset the flattening of dimensions caused by your key and fill light. It approaches from behind your subject, often at an angle on the same side as your primary light point.
The most common placement for your backlight can be achieved by placing it on the same side as your key light, and then moving behind the subject so that the backlight is aimed toward the fill light.
A backlight (rim light, or hair light) is the third light for your video lighting setup, and its purpose is to offset the flattening of dimensions caused by your key and fill light. It approaches from behind your subject, often at an angle on the same side as your primary light point.
The most common placement for your backlight can be achieved by placing it on the same side as your key light, and then moving behind the subject so that the backlight is aimed toward the fill light.
Conclusion
Now you know how to use three-point lighting in your next video project. You understand why 3-point lighting is important, and I suggest at home try to set 3 points of light and record it on your mobile or camera. while doing practice, you must keep precautions when you working with electricity.
Home work
At home please see the multimedia class again. Ask questions if you have any.
1-Write an essay your understanding 3 points of light plus shoot a video using 3 points of light and upload to e-course.
1-Write an essay your understanding 3 points of light plus shoot a video using 3 points of light and upload to e-course.
