Ultimate Guide to Cinematic Lighting Pt. 2 — How to Light Subjects and Locations

The Ultimate Guide to Cinematic Lighting Techniques — part two of our mini-series on how to get cinematic lighting, including lighting tips for subjects, backgrounds, daytime and nighttime scenarios.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro — Cinematic Lighting
01:00 - Why Film Lighting Matters
01:09 - Single Subjects
06:15 - Multiple Subjects
08:55 - Exterior Day
12:42 - Exterior Night
16:21 - Interior Day
18:46 - Interior Night
22:19 - Takeaways

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Special thanks to:

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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CINEMATIC LIGHTING TECHNIQUES — PART TWO

Cinematic lighting is something most filmmakers are after but what is cinematic lighting anyway? Many people agree that the difference between amateur and professional film is decided by the quality of a project’s lighting. In the first episode of this cinematic lighting guide, we covered the basics of lighting, and the general styles and approaches. Now we’re going to discuss how to get cinematic lighting by shooting subjects, backgrounds, daytime vs. nighttime, and interiors vs. exteriors.

CINEMATIC LIGHTING SETUP FOR SUBJECTS

First, we’ll look at how to light your subjects. Using the most common portrait lighting setups like butterfly lighting, loop lighting, split lighting, and more. Each of these lighting techniques literally casts a different light on your subject, which in turn can alter their characterization and how we relate to them. We’ll also get into how to light multiple subjects in a scene.

HOW TO LIGHT A SCENE — EXTERIOR DAY/NIGHT

There are countless lighting scenarios but they can all be boiled down to basically four — exterior day, exterior night, interior day, and interior night. Shooting outside during the day is difficult mostly because your main light source (the sun) is constantly changing. In our video, we learn from DPs like Robert Richardson shooting Casino and Emmanuel Lubezki shooting The Revenant.

Shooting outside at night presents its own challenges, but with today’s cameras, low-light cinematography is not nearly the challenge it used to be. For example, we learn how DP Jeff Cutter simulated moonlight on Prey or how Jarin Blaschke embraced the shadows on The Witch.

HOW TO LIGHT A SCENE — INTERIOR DAY/NIGHT

Lighting an interior during the day can be a lot easier than shooting outside but you’re still dealing with the sun. DP Roger Deakins blacked out windows and used exterior lighting for the opening scene in Sicario. DP Matthew Libatique had more control with the stage set in The Whale. You can also go more stylized with the nighttime lighting, like Kubrick and his DP Larry Smith did on Eyes Wide Shut.

Cinematic lighting techniques like this are used all the time. And with lessons from masterful DPs, we can all approach any lighting situation with confidence.

#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

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♬ SONGS USED:

"Somewhere" - Daniele Musto
"Origin" - David A. Molina
"War Dance (Instrumental)" - Rhythm Scott
"Mauretania (Instrumental)" - Sam Barsh
"Morning Sunbeams" - Yehezkel Raz
"Dojo Tradition (Instrumental)" - In This World
"Mr. Moustafa" - Alexandre Desplat
"The Lutz Police Militia"
"Yumeji's Theme" - Shigeru Umebayashi
"Deep Blue"
"Dark Blood" - Jimmy Svensson
"Club Foot Clavipes (Instrumental)" - Isaac Joel
"Full Access" - Jimmy Svensson
"Blue Suede Shoes" - Elvis Presley
"Summer Kisses/In My Body"
"1986" - Angel Salazar
"Staring Into The Abyss" - 2050
"Little Eyes (Instrumental Version)" - Yehezkel Raz
"Double Espresso" - Francesco D'Andrea
"The House Of The Rising Sun" - The Animals
"The Revenant Main Theme" - Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto
"Assembly Line Dreams" - Ostin Drais
"Glass" - Claudio Laucci
"Thrill of the Chase" - Sarah Schachner
"Five Senses"
"What Went We" - Mark Korven
"Witch's Coven"
"Corporate World" - The Dust Brothers
"Life Boat" - Rob Simonsen
"The Border" - Jóhann Jóhannsson
"Runways" - Stanley Gurvich
"Rabbia e tarantella" - Ennio Morricone
"Musica Ricercata, II (Mesto, rigido e cerimoniale)" - Dominic Harlan
"The Dream" - Jocelyn Pook
"State Lines (Instrumental Version)" - Aaron Kellim

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[StudioBinder]

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro — Cinematic Lighting
01:00 - Why Film Lighting Matters
01:09 - Single Subjects
06:15 - Multiple Subjects
08:55 - Exterior Day
12:42 - Exterior Night
16:21 - Interior Day
18:46 - Interior Night
22:19 - Takeaways

[imnbmusic]

i never miss a video, someday i will make a masterpiece with all this free knowledge, all thanks you 😁😁

[jodyknight]

Excellent advice as always StudioBinder; it's no wonder that University lecturers use your videos as references for students to learn from, they're always so good. Every video is a gem, thank you, your work here is very much appreciated.

[gossy_new_wave]

Hey, everyone! A few months ago I asked for feedback as an aspiring, student filmmaker on this channel and was so excited with the overwhelming support and kind words. This feedback inspired us to create our new 2-minute horror short film which we’ve just posted on our channel, and we’re so happy with the improvement we’ve made thanks to everyone here. Thanks StudioBinder, and thank you everyone!! Stay creative

[JAProductions]

Lighting really is an unsung hero of the filmmaking process as it really does play a major role as shown in this video. For me, I only appreciated how important lighting was when I saw a film with bad lighting which completely took me out of the immersion 😂

[ODHunte]

Even though I already know the majority of the principles here, it’s still incredibly interesting and exciting to see it presented in such a flawlessly slick manner. And of course to see many of the lighting breakdowns and BTS from classic and new works. Refulgent video yet again guys.

[stephenwilliams]

I love Villeneuve's/Deakins' work. Set design, colour palate, lighting are always so good. The lighting throughout Blade Runner 2049 is perfect.

[jvstn]

Who needs film school when you have StudioBinder! 🎉

[rayancedrichaddad]

Thousand Thanks StudioBinder for this Inspiring Cinematic Lighting audiovisual Masterclass.

[second]

I admire this channel, I always tell other people who aspires to become a filmmaker to watch this channel. I am so glad you exist and I hope all the best for everyone that comprise the team of studio binder. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts

[blinktwize]

This not only taught me a fraking lot of new techniques but also reassured me, that doing things differently does not equal doing things wrong. As a solo filmmaker it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking, you're not doing good enough, just because you chose to try a different approach than what another filmmaker says is right. Seeing so many great cinematographers and the different examples you gave in this - I would call it an actual MASTERCLASS - is so refreshing and motivates me to go on and try what I think is the best way to make the respective scene work! THANK YOU!

[errhka]

Loved the dig at season 8's nonexistent lighting. Idk what they are doing over at HBO for game of thrones because I recently saw it in House of the Dragon too but they really need to change something in their lighting process

[TodayInHistoryNO]

Absolutely love this! One of my favorite web series of all time! More Ultimate Guide / Shot List please!

[emmanueloluyori]

This is easily the best educational series for any filmmaker; beginner to pro. 🙌🙌 I understand and apply most of the principles here already but it is so so good to see it presented in this form.

[Jdjd]

A perfect way to start the morning! Studio Binder and lighting 💡

[jackjac]

With this knowledge I can appreciate the movies I watch so much more. Knowing how much consideration went into all the small details.

[egg]

Great video.
Barton Fink lighting was phenomenal.

[MagneticDonut]

I love this channel man. I'll never get tired of thanking you. Lovely class as always

[Entertainment]

The lighting from Apocalypse Now are my fav. !!!

[mayorovmedia]

This channel is absolutely stunning - so happy I found you.