Lighting blog tasks

Still image analysis 

Still image 1

This is a clear example of low-key lighting due to the harsh shadows. However, this does not mean that there is no light there is a filler light coming from the left which brightens a small part of her face and makes the smoke more visible. With this lighting the audience is able to create a narrative about the character e.g: femme fatal, mysterious, devious ect.

Still image 2

This is another example of low-key lighting but with the shadows it hides more of the image and makes the characters face the only visible thing. This effect was created with under lighting and gives an eerie feel due to the darkened background and that anyone could be lurking there.

Still image 3

This image uses high-key lighting even though a shadow is casted over the character's face the background is quite light. This effect was created through the use of a mixture of a key light, filler lights and a back light. The use of this lighting allows every part of this image to be visible and allows the audience to connect with the character easier.

Still image 4

This is an example of low-key lighting due to shadows being cast over the body of the character and the background. There is light on half of his face which creates the effect of his face being half light half dark and the contrast between this (chiaroscuro). This adds to the character's mystery and possibly makes him appear more evil. This is created through the use of top lighting but the light would be shifted to the right instead of being directly above.

Still image 5

This image uses high-key lighting in order to clearly illustrate the character's facial expression to the audience (scared). This could have been created through the use of a key light from the left in order to keep a harsh shadow behind her. By keeping this shadow is emphasises her body language and how she is clearly in shock.

Still image 6

This is an example of high-key lighting but all the light is coming through the blinds and is natural, coming from the right of the shot. This adds to the realism and to the audience makes it look less staged. 

Still image 7

This is an example of high-key lighting as the whole area is well lit. However the characters are silhouettes and harsh shadows are in front of them from the use of back lighting. This gives a mysterious effect as the audience can see that there is an enigma code that is used here: of who these people are as you are unable to identify them.

Still image 8

This image uses low-key lighting which is lit from the left. This allows for the shadow to cover part of the character's face and emphasise her saddened or shocked facial expression. It may make the audience question what she is looking at too.

Still image 9

This is an example of high-key lighting with the use of back lights, filler lights and key lights in order to eliminate all shadows. Without the shadows the audience's focus is all on the actor and due to the bright lighting we are able to see every detail of the picture and nothing is hidden.

Still image 10

This is an example of low-key lighting, due to most of the picture being dark and the actor is the only visible part. This may make the audience nervous as to what is to come as you are unable to see from the lighting. This was created using lighting with a blue hue from the doorway which lights the actor from the right. With the lighting coming from here a shadow is casted onto the wall which adds to the creepy feel.

Still image 11

This is an example of high-key lighting which is created with a key light and top lighting. This allows for both characters to be clearly seen but still with some soft shadows. This makes the audience able to see what type of connection is between the two characters. 

Film noir research 

• Most noir films seem to be under the crime, mystery, spy or thriller genre
• Classic noir films use lots of shadows with use of high-key lighting at times but low-key lighting most of the time.
• There is a high ratio of key lights to filler lights 
• Lots of contrast with chiaroscuro
• Strong/harsh shadows
• Gives a dramatic tone
• Use of back lighting for silhouettes 
• Underlighting for 'suspicious' characters   

Film noir YouTube clip analysis

The film "Suicide Squad" is considered to be a neo-noir film as it was produced in 2016. Throughout this clip there is a use of low-key lighting. Character's faces are only lit up by the fire or by the gunshots. Just before Harley Quinn jumps onto the rope there is a use of back lighting as all the fire surrounds her and she is just a silhouette. During this beginning half, there is a lot of hope for both the Joker and Harley Quinn with the flashes of light to symbolise this, but as this hope fades so does the lighting and the use of chiaroscuro to illustrate the two sides. There is a stark contrast between the lighting from the beginning of the clip to the end. At the end of the clip Harley's face is merely lit by the fire in front of her but her surroundings are dim. This emphasises the shock and hurt she now feels and this is evidently conveyed to the audience. During the intense scene in the middle there is a quick flash of their silhouette and then changes to a close up of them with flickers of light on the left to imitate a fire.