3 Point Lighting Research

3 point lighting is the use of 3 studio standard lights; the key light, the fill light and the back light. It is a versatile lighting system used in all kinds of visual media. 

The key light is used as the main light. It is usually the strongest light and has the most influence on how the shot will look.The key light highlights the form and features of the subject.  It is always placed to one side of the camera and object allowing for one side of the object to be lit and the other to have some shadow. 

Key Light Only

The fill light is the secondary light and is placed on the opposite side to the key light. The fill is used to fill in the shadows caused by the key meaning that the fill light is usually softer than the key light. The fill light makes the contrast between light and dark tones more subtle.

Fill Light Only

Key and Fill Light

The back light is placed behind the subject, usually to one side and lights the subject from behind. The purpose of the back light is to define and highlight around the subjects outlines, helping separate the subject from the background. With no key or fill light the subject becomes just a silhouette within the shot and no features can be identified.

Back light Only

Key, Fill and Back light

High Key Lighting:

High key lighting is the use of a lot of strong key lights overpowering the shot. the use of high key lighting usually suggests an upbeat, positive mood within the shot.

Low Key Lighting:

Opposite to high key, low key lighting is the use of few or no key lights, creating a dark shot with very little lighting to suggest a negative or tense atmosphere.

Fill Lighting:

fill lighting reduces shadows within a shot ( a large scale variation of a singular fill light).

How will this research impact my plans?
By doing this research I will plan on using all 3 points of lighting for the main images of my magazine, one key light placed on the right hand side of my subject, a fill on the left and a back light. I will use a white background for my photo shoot as it will be easier to define the subject from the background. I may consider using elements of high key lighting to define the subject even more and will also break away from conventional stereotypes of the genre if I don't use low key lighting.