Lighting Part 2

By the use of the under lighting, filer lights etc, Directors use these to create a certain atmosphere that they wish to convey. These are in the form of Low-Key lighting and High-key lighting.

Low Key Lighting

Low-Key lighting is used to create dramatic contrasts between light and dark using only key and back lights. The effect used to create a strong contrasts between light and dark areas is called Chiaroscuro.

Example of Low-Key Lighting

High-Key Lighting

High-key lighting is used to give a more realistic and normal viewing to our eyes. It can be used to describe  the lighting used on a brightly lit set such as a sunny day in the park or to describe a more subtly-lit night scene which actually looks quite dark to our eyes. Shadows will appear but not as harsh or dramatic as in low-key lighting.

Example of High-Key Lighting

Film Noir
Film Noir is the term given to a set of films by french critics to American films which were released in the beginning of the 1940's (1941). These films where normally American detective novels and were located in big cities with dark alleyways, wet pavements and sleazy bars, with characters who have devious motives. These films also include a femme fetal who betrays the protagonist.The films are called film Noir's due to the darkness of the subject matter and the visually dark look at the film.

Two Silhouette figures from the Film 'The Big Combo'