Direction of light
Light directions are the most decisive parameter in the field of film, television and theater lighting and characterize the position of a light source in relation to the illuminated object, defined from the viewing direction .
Types and effects
- The back light creates a light border around the figures. It clearly sets them apart from the background and creates spatial depth.
- The sidelight makes the body and the textures of surfaces appear three-dimensional.
- The head light (light from a vertical direction from above) makes the body appear stretched in a vertical direction. By creating vertical shadows, it compensates for the flat effect of the front light.
- The lower light does not correspond to any natural light direction and therefore appears unnatural, spooky, dramatic, eerie.
- The front light produces no shadow from the perspective of the viewer, as they are behind the object. Its effect is therefore flat. It is used for brightening (namely the shadows of light from other directions) and making facial features visible.
- In practice, of course, results from the aforementioned light directions are also used, the effect is then adequate.
See also: diffuse light
meaning
The direction of light determines before all other parameters (type of focus, brightness, color) the effect of light on people or objects. The targeted use of the light directions used determines the spatial depth, plasticity, recognizability and dramaturgical effect of a scene.
The great importance of the directions of light is taken into account in theater construction by a large number of lighting positions defined on site:
- frontal (and also diametrical) positions: bridges and overhead machinery
- Lateral positions: portal towers, galleries, proscenium areas
In the field of event technology and in film and television, the effect of different light directions is usually taken into account by temporarily set up lighting positions (tripods, truss systems).