LIGHT IT UP

Here is everything you need to know about lighting and how to leverage it for the perfect picture.

- ANISHA GAKHAR

Lights, camera, action! This overused phrase is known to one and all—even those not belonging to the film and TV industry.

The prerequisite, though, for the camera and sound to roll—is lighting. It is basically safe to say that any aesthetically pleasing visual needs to be shot in perfect lighting, so as to make sure it conveys the exact emotion intended. Cinematography, in particular, is a fundamental element to the process—it can ensure the finished product has a lasting impact. There is no one right way to employ lighting design. A scene could be lit several different ways by different cinematographers, each altering the mood and overall impact of the image. However, there is a basic list of lighting placement. Lighting, without a doubt, is one of the key factors affecting cinematography, and understanding the key principles of studio lighting can help assist in ensuring high-quality results from whatever content is being created.

While having a good storyline, an accountable film crew, well-cast actors, and an amazing set design may all be essential components needed to make a blockbuster— it also has to look visually compelling to make the audience take a piece of the movie home with them, or perhaps make the TV commercial carry a thought-provoking message. This requires technical expertise and skill, to make sure the lighting is in tandem with the vibe of the scene at hand.

Behind the scenes of the making of a film