The One Dramatic Lighting Technique You Need to Know

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At Aputure, we're always talking about lighting, be it narrative lighting, commercial lighting, or cinematic lighting. We've talked about one light setups, two light setups, three point lighting setups, and more. Today, we're going to switch it up and talk about the concept of taking away light, and why taking away light might just be the best thing you can do for more dramatic lighting techniques.

In today's episode of Ask Aputure, Ted from the A-Team teaches us about a dramatic lighting technique known as negative fill, and how negative fill can be one of the most powerful tools you can use for your narrative, dramatic documentary interview, or music video. Learn all about the theory and technique of negative fill, and see some practical and creative applications.

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Summary:
Learn dramatic lighting tips using a concept called negative fill. Aputure's YouTube channel provides free high quality cinematography, lighting, and filmmaking educational content to help you take your film projects to the next level.

[aputurelighting]

Which scene has the best example of negative fill?

[jagbirsingh]

I was DP for a debut music video shoot for a friend and I wanted to use negative fill for his face. We had a black board available on set and I attempted to use that to darken the face, however I really struggled to get the shadows. As I went on I finally understood why, the board itself was very reflective, so even though the surface was black, it made little-to-no difference at all. Looking at this video It makes sense, you used a black and non-reflective cloth and that's what made the shot. So, in the end it's not necessarily just black that does negative fill but it also matters on what material you do it with. Thanks for the video Aputure !

[clandresg]

I really use negative fill when I have to show all the people who see what I'm doing that I got something dark, emotional and dramatic on my videos. As well I'm sure the people who do this technique has a lot of painful feelings that they have to show. Make films it's the art of our souls and what we see and what we feel inside us.

I'm from Peru, I'm very grateful to see your videos. Are amazing, thanks for all the knowledge that you teach us.

[michaelminhpham]

My most memorable use of negative fill was last time I went to Hawaii, was shooting photos and videos for a family before golden hour so the light come from everywhere was so harsh. There was a pile of giant leaves under a nearby tree and I had my friend grab them and use them to help shape the light, including adding some negative fill to help the reflections against the sand

[JosephTheDreamer]

What about Negative Phil.... on my sets he just stands there like “no this film is trash”

[nickboozang]

Negative fill took my cinematography from beginner to intermediate so quickly. I've started to black wrap nearly all my lights and flag off reflective surfaces and windows in every location I'm in––obsessive, I know. It takes (way) more time than if you were to set-up three lights and roll camera, but it's the intentionality that comes with control makes you a better cinematographer. The old saying, "No side left unflagged" :)

[dustysweaters]

I used negative fill in my garage photography studio to create some dramatic contrast. I have so far only been able to afford one light so I used the AL-MX at a very warm temperature to underlit my subject at a 3/4 angle and below them, then used a magnetic flashlight to provide come cold light from above. I put a silver reflector on the side opposite of the AL-MX and a large piece of black felt on the same side as the AL-MX and got a very moody, dramatic look.

[hold_the_mike]

I was shooting some wedding photos and video on the beach in midday (they didn't want to get up early or be on the beach late enough to get the softer lighting). The sand, the sky, and the water were all super reflective. So, used flags to basically build walls around them and got amazing dramatic contrast from the extremely bright light. It made the scene look so much more emotional because it was the first day of their life being someone else's. They loved the photos and the videos!

[NatesFilmTutorials]

Arrival has great uses of negative fill. Makes it look so moody

[anon____________]

One client was really insistent on using a TV in the background of an interview. Used negative fill to create contrast on the screen, really impressed the client on the day as it looked terrible without.

[CinemaTeacher]

Negative fill is SO AMAZING to help increase the contrast and dramatism of a shot, as Ted from the A-Team would say. I LOVE using an 8’x8’ solid “rag” on a frame for music videos especially when lighting a “white void”. It gives dimensionality to the face while keeping the pure white look. I also like using a 4’x4’ in day EXTerior closeups since it increases the darkness of the shadows while still looking natural. As UCLA’s Tom Denove would say, “shoot towards the shadows, don’t be a dummy and shoot towards the smart side.” ;) Can I get that Light Dome II now?

[MrDahlify]

Great video! A good tip when you are using a floppy flag outside to create negative fill in a windy situation. You can take a 2x4 log or a big stick, and mount it in the bottom with two gaffers clamps to give the floppy portion some weight. I has saved me multiple times ☺️

[jacobmendez]

Best time I used negative fill was actually to block green light coming in to an actor’s face. We used a big black cloth over grass to make sure we could push in more orange in post. Then a black jacket on the side of their face to bring in a bit of contrast.

[diegoferresdevotto]

I am all about negative fill because as a DP I love the contrast on the actor faces. Anyway, the thing is that the place where I was living at that time was a very small town and I needed to get a new driver license. The kind of office they had for taking driver licenses didn't have a flash or anything for the photo part. There was a window with white curtains on one side, a bright green wall on the other and an old man with a compact camera in the front. All I was thinking was that was was gonna look terrible in my driver license photo for the next 4 years with all that green light bouncing from that wall. My brother was there with me. He was dressing all black so I had a brilliant idea. I told him to stand right between me and the green wall. He is a "big bones" guy I could say so he covered pretty much the entire wall. His size was just perfect for the situation. He usually can't really complete a task correctly, but that time he did great! Bros forever.


PS: I look fantastic in my driver's license.

[casualking]

In some of my favorite shoots, we started off by negging the ceiling with visqueen; to block the light bouncing off of it. We then would use a cheap black backdrop or black bed sheets to kill the upwards bounce coming from the floor. Finally, we would use a single 4x4 floppy or 6x6 with black griff on the talent’s fill side, so that we could get a little shape into our soft key sources. Add in a few practicals, and you have a great look that is easily to replicate given proper prep time.

[ilusaosemlimite]

Negative fill is a plays a big part on corporate gigs. Usually I bring a big piece of black cloth with me for windows or doors so we can shape the light from our 120D or 300D the way we want/need. Thanks for the tips Ted!

[leokatz]

Well, in my opinion lighting a scene is not about the light, but where their is no light.
My favorite usage of negativ fill is use a teal colored reflector to use as negativ bounce. Wenn use an warmer light you can achieve a in camera teal and orange look that can not be made in post.

[benjaminvoorhees]

In combination with a nice cloudy day, or a diffused overhead above your subject, I've found that negative fill pairs quite well with large ambient sources. Additionally, I find that a rim or edge light on the shadowed side is a great way to complement the negative. Negatives are an awesome tool for absorbing excess green color from grass on your subject during a very sunny day. I used lots of negative fill on a short civil war period piece. In this instance, the walls we created really helped give a grungy, desolate texture on the subjects faces.

[SHEAFORREAL]

I have never used negative fill before, so I cant really give an example of how I have used it, But, I can give examples of when I'm going to use it for future projects. Bathroom scenes will be a whole lot better due to the differentiation in light levels. Also for talking to camera sections in my daily vlogs. Thanks for the lessons!! Loving the content

[CraigSinclair]

I love using negative fill. Best use of negative fill was almost like a cookie cutout to cast a shape in the reflection of a pair of sunglasses but also cut the light on my actor for a more dramatic look