Most television and film production is shot using basic three-point lighting. This is designed to thoroughly illuminate the subjects and provide the illusion of natural light on video. However, for filmmakers on a budget, or directors looking to add some creative flair to their production, there are various types of alternative lighting that can be employed on the set.
Film Noir Lighting
In the genre of film noir, originating from the 1940s in America, shadows are just as important, if not more so, than light. This sort of effect can be seen in films such as "The Maltese Falcon" or "Citizen Kane." Film noir lighting generally indicates a low-key lighting setup, with hard contrasts between light and shadow. Contrary to the beliefs of some novice filmmakers, simply using natural light or the light built in to your camera will not achieve this effect. The picture will look dim and gray, without contrast.
In order to achieve a professional-looking film noir lighting scheme, you'll need a light that is small, bright and direct. Only one light will be necessary, since a fill light or backlight would only serve to remove the shadows that are so important to the film noir look. The light should be set up very specifically by the director, only illuminating the subject, or part of the subject, as desired. For example, the light could be directed at the character's hat, gun, cigarette or part of his face. Pay careful attention to shadows and contrast in order to create a darker mood.
Practicals
Practicals, also known as incidental lighting, are another form of alternative lighting. Often, a scene will include a room light, such as a lamp or skylight. Although shooting in this manner might sound easy, the reality is that it's actually quite difficult to achieve a realistic look when a practical is included in the scene. The practical will appear very bright to your camera, while failing to provide any actual illumination on your subject.
The key to practicals is to set up the rest of your lighting to create the illusion of light coming from the practical. Consider the type of light coming from the practical naturally, and decide whether it would be best to use a hard or soft light out of your kit. For example, a shaded lamp will generally call for a soft light, while a window might call for a hard light. Positioning of the lights is also important. The direction of the light source should be in line with your practical.
