The 3 point lighting setup uses, as the name suggests, 3 lights. They can be used simultaneously, as pairs, or singly, depending on what effect you are trying to create.
A typical 3 point lighting setup is shown below:
Key Light -
In each of these instances, the key light has been used to illuminate one side of the actor's face, leaving a shadow to the other side of his face. This gives the audience enough information to interpret who the person is, but leaving a sense of darkness & mystery.
Fill Light -
In this picture, the fill light has been used on its own to gain the effect of having one side of the actor's face dimmed/showed.
In this picture, both the key & the fill light have been used. This lights the whole face of the subject, but leaving the back of the subject darkened. This makes the lighting look unnatural, urging to the audience that the focal point of the shot is the front of the subject that is lit. Could be put to good use when the facial expressions of the subject are are important.
Back Light -
Lighting the back of the subject gives a strong sense of mystery to the shot, especially if shooting from face on to the subject. In this shot, the back light has been used at a slight angle in order to partially illuminate one side of the subject's face. This will give an even stronger sense of mystery, as few of the subject's facial features will be illuminated, but at the same time ensuring there is enough light to give contrasting shadows and outline the subject's face.
All 3 lights (key, fill & back) -
Using all 3 lights simultaneously gives the shot strong enough lighting for all aspects of the subject to be seen clearly. The 3 lights, together, give an effect of natural lighting, even if there is no natural light present.
Lighting combinations/other effects -
In some instances, one light can be used to achieve two of the three point lighting effects. For example in this situation, the actor on the left has the key light directed on him, lighting one side of his face, giving the typical effect. However, this same light is also lighting the back of the actor on the rights' head, giving the effect you would achieve from a back light, but slightly to the side. This is useful when the light is wanted to look artificial. Depending on where you film from, many different effects can be obtained from using 1 light on 2 subjects.
Safety Considerations:
- Work at height
- Don't shake the redhead
- Power lead must hang down
- Make sure the barn door is level with one of the legs of the stand
- Don't use outside (unless occupied at all times in good weather)
- Always use a surge protector
- Never use an everyday extension lead
- Make sure the light is at least 1m away from any roof
- Wear gloves when in a close proximity of the light (when it has been on a while)
- Use your common sense
Do's & Dont's
- Man the light at all times when outdoors
- Always switch the lights off when not in use
- Make sure the lights are facing parallel with one of the legs of the stand
- Use the gloves when the light is hot
- Never look directly into the light
- Warn others when the lights are being turned on (urge them not to look - twice)
- Always work with the light at low level, then extend it afterwards
- Always use the surge protector
- Never try and replace a bulb
- Include the lights in the risk assessment
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