Design Articles

• 3-Point
• Ambient
• Cameo
• Chiaroscuro
• High Key
• Low Key
• Rembrandt

• The Art of Low-Key Lighting
  August, 2011
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Properly lighting a low-key setup will entice your viewers to focus on key points in your scene, and wonder about those dark shadowy areas in the unknown.
• Paint your Canvas with Light
  December, 2010
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Imagine light as being your paintbrush and your scene as your canvas. How heavy or soft you "paint" that light determines the dramatic focus of your canvas…
• Lighting Interviews
  December, 2009
  by Terry O'Rourke
  A basic 3 point lighting setup is a good place to start when lighting one person. Here are some lighting design ideas for lighting interviews using 3 points…
• Finding Light for Video
  November, 2009
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Don't have enough light? All is not lost-since we need light to see. There's lots of it around, finding light for video is easier than you think.
• Using Fill for Key
  November, 2009
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Three-point lighting has become the mainstay of video lighting. But if you want to add a bit of dramatic lighting, consider moving the fill to the key side,…
• Lighting Products for Video Ads
  July, 2009
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Learning to light products for video starts with learning how to "see" light and how it reacts to subjects. Light is to photography as paint is to an artist.
• Video Production Lighting Basics - Three-Point Lighting
  June, 2009
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Making sure your video production lighting looks good all comes down to video lighting basics. The best place to start is with three-point lighting.
• Three-Point Lighting 101
  May, 2008
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Lighting can be extremely complicated. Some movie and TV shoots use dozens of lights to assure proper scene lighting. Here's a primer to help dispel the…
• Lighting Car Interiors
  January, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Did you ever notice that in the movies we never have a problem seeing a person's features while he's driving down the road? Even at night?
• Specialty Lighting
  September, 2007
  by Robert G Nulph, Ph.D.
  Lighting can make or break the mood of your video. If you wish to evoke suspense, tension or romance, then traditional three-point lighting isn't enough.
• Casting Shadows
  July, 2007
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  When you think about lighting, you probably think about your lights and where to place them. But what about the shadows?
• Tabletop Lighting
  March, 2007
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  Whether you're shooting a documentary, creating a scrapbook or shooting an object for a commercial - you will find a need for tabletop lighting techniques.
• Applying 3-Point Lighting
  November, 2006
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Some folks consider it a tired cliche, but it's important to know how to set 3-point lighting, so you can work within or without this classic lighting style.
• Getting Started: Using Light
  September, 1996
  by Jim Stinson
  Light is the most essential element in videomaking. Here's how to make the best use of it.
• Camera Work: On with the Show!
  December, 1995
  by Jim Stinson
  On with the Show!
• Light Source: Crafting the Key Light
  January, 1999
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Good lighting begins with a single lamp.
• Light Source: The Power of Three-point Lighting
  February, 1999
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Use three-point lighting to set the mood, time of day and dramatic intensity of your productions.
• Lighting Human Faces Requires Special Attention
  June, 1999
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Faces present a special kind of lighting challenge to the videographer.
• Dramatic Lighting Livens up Videos
  August, 1999
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Dramatic lighting can make the difference between an ordinary production and a great production.
• Light Source: Lighting Backgrounds
  October, 1999
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Well-lit backgrounds don't just support your talent; they send subtle yet powerful messages to your audience.
• Light Source: Three-point Lighting for Multiple Talent
  April, 2000
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Make your light kit do double duty for your next interview.
• Light Source: A Dose of Reality
  June, 2000
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Lighting, like sound, can be used to create a false reality for your audience.
• Light Source: Advanced Techniques for Lighting Faces
  August, 2000
  by Jim Stinson
  Light placement can have a dramatic impact on the faces you light.
• Light Source: News-style Lighting
  October, 2000
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Tips to help you create great lighting for your news set. Strategies for anchors, sports and the weather.
• Light Source: In the Mood? Creating Mood with Light
  December, 2000
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  One scene, many moods. Let the lighting do the work.
• Video Lighting: 3 Point Lighting: A Handyman's Guide
  April, 2001
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Special tips to make your lighting projects safer and more effective.
• Light Source: Is it Real or Just Good Lighting?
  June, 2001
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  With these techniques you can light scenes so they look as natural as the real world.
• Light Source: The Key to Changing Moods
  October, 2001
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  As important as set design and costumes, light positioning and intensity are integral scene setters.
• Guide to Different Types of Light Reflectors
  February, 2002
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  Don't let imposing lighting conditions get you down, reflect that light to your advantage.
• Light Source: Using a Camera-Mounted Light
  March, 2002
  by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
  The on-camera light can be a great tool, if you know how to use it.