Step 1 – Highlight Using Key (WHAT)

Step 2 – Go For a Low Key  (WHAT)

• Lose the fill light
• WHY:
  • No shadow, no drama
  • High contrast = cinematic beauty

Step 3 – Shoot Into the Shadows (WHAT)

• Design the setup for nice fall off
• Promote uneven lighting of subject
• Shoot from opposite angle
• WHY:
  • Light falloff = cinematic touch and more drama / intensity

Step 4 – Use That Edge Light  (WHAT)

• Separate subject from the background
• WHY:
  • Depth = Intensity of emotion
  • Flat = Low intensity
• Shape and outline, frame the highlight

Step 5 – Lighting for Depth (WHAT)

• WHY:
  • Sense of space emmerses the viewer
• Layer elements throughout space
• Feature different luminamce values
• WHY: 
  • Contrast = Depth
  • Depth = Emotion, deeper depth = more emotion

Step 6 – Contrast Color

• Certain colors contrast best, specifically complementary colors
• Stunning imagery can be achieved

Step 7 – Texture Lighting

• Practicals create texture
  • “Practical lights are the light sources that are visible as models within your scene.” – Peachpit.com
• Use what is availbale to you
• Get creative
  • Use light flashes, fluorescent tubes, Edison bulbs, string of Christmas lights, etc.
• Haze and rain, shafts and beams

Step 8 – Texture Shadows

• Create shadows with set design
• Use cucoloris