Illuminating Excellence: 5 Cinematic Lighting Tips to Elevate Your Production Value

Have you ever watched a movie and wondered, “How do they make it look so darn good?” The secret sauce lies in the art of cinematic lighting. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, understanding how to wield light effectively can transform your videos from mundane to mesmerizing. And before you ask, yes these can help you with your photos as well.

In our upcoming blog post, we delve into five essential tips that will elevate your production value and leave your audience spellbound. And to note any and all of these rules can be broken only if you are intending to do it for a specific reason.

Tip #1 - Shoot from the shadow side. (Rembrandt Lighting)

For achieving Rembrandt lighting, place the camera on the side opposite to the light falling on your subject. This method creates a gentle light triangle on the shadowed side of your subject, producing a natural and cinematic effect. While some may question the presence of shadows in the image, casting shadows actually aids in sculpting your subject and establishing a mood and atmosphere. Refer to the images below to better understand the visual outcome of shooting from the shadow side.

While capturing images or videos from the key side (light side) can produce quality results, it may lack a specific atmosphere. Take a look at the image below to see the difference in mood and the absence of a cinematic vibe. In this picture, shadows are scarce, and the few that are visible come from the opposite side of the face, thus not achieving the cinematic look we aim for.

Next time you watch a movie, I encourage you to find a scene where the camera does not capture the shadow side of the subject. The darkness doesn't need to be intense; it can be very subtle. Incorporating this technique is one way to enhance your production quality.

Tip #2 - Creating depth

To prevent your subject from blending into the background, you should aim for it to stand out. There are various methods to achieve this, with one of the simplest being to physically position the subject closer while keeping the background further away. Another effective technique is to dress the subject in a color that contrasts with the background, or alternatively, adjust the background color accordingly. Lowering the aperture can also help create separation between the subject and the background. Below are two photos for comparison: one where the subject blends in, and the other where there is clear distinction.

Hollywood utilizes the Orange and Teal color contrast as a technique to add depth, which is widely popular. This method involves applying a warm orange tone to the subject's face and a teal hue to the background. Since these two colors are complementary on the color wheel, they effectively enhance the distinction between the foreground and background.

Tip #3 - Use Motivated lighting.

What is motivated lighting? It involves strategically placing a light source within the frame to give the impression of its origin, even if it is not the actual source of illumination. This could be as straightforward as incorporating a lamp beside the subject, simulating light entering through windows, or illuminating a fireplace. While the light from the motivator may not directly light the subject, viewers will perceive it as the primary light source. In the images below, observe the first one where the subject is lit ambiguously, and compare it with the second image showcasing motivated lighting, which convincingly suggests the light source's location.

Despite the candle not emitting much light, the audience perceives it as the main source of light, even though additional artificial lighting was used to capture this image. Now if you have to use a shot that won't have room for a light, then you can use an establishing shot to let the audience know ahead of time that light is coming from that area before moving in on the subject.

Tip #4 - Use Background lighting.

In order to avoid your shot resembling a stage play, it is essential to utilize background lighting. Check out the following image to see how background lighting was employed to achieve a natural and cinematic appearance. And note how this can tie in with Tip # 3 about motivated lighting as well. It just looks better overall.

Tip #5 - Use Catch light or Eye light.

Catch light or eye light is the reflection of the source lighting in your subject's eye, which is used to bring your subject to life. Even in cartoons, this technique is utilized to indicate that the subject is animated, as seen in movies like "Toy Story." In some films, filmmakers employ this light to symbolize life and death. For instance, in "King Kong," when Kong perishes at the top of the Empire State Building, the director intended for the eye light to gradually fade out, signaling his death. Refer to the image below to visualize what an eye light looks like. Although subtle, this light can have a significant impact on your video or picture.

Don’t Forget to Add a Closing Statement

Although these are our five tips for increasing your production value, there are additional techniques available. AeroHawk Productions will be launching our Academy to teach all these techniques and more soon. Keep in mind that any of these tips or rules can be disregarded if you are intentionally conveying something to your audience. Apart from that, this is an excellent method to enhance the appeal of your videos and pictures.