Cinematic Lighting 101 | How to Light Faces

[@aputurelighting]

What's your favorite unqiue way to light a face?

[@MeesTW]

Having your talent hold a torch. Did wonders for my short film hahaha.

[@BrentHagyVideography]

Using a flame can create some cool effects and add natural movement to your scene!

[@xyzproductreviewtest4006]

a good way to not light a face: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJTGip2lgKqdgac it was my first time i just bought my aputure 120 mark ii 🤔. i experienced very different results when i placed the light in different places throughout the video. lots to learn. these vids help a lllllot. thanks

[@BrentCine]

We were doing hero shots for sports interstitials and used a video projector scrolling words as the key light on their faces. It created a very futuristic feel and gave us the opportunity to create different emotions with unsaturated colors and phrases projected on their face. The rest of the set was covered with soft lights to make sure that we didn’t loose the rest of the frame and also didn’t overpower the projection.

[@NathanShirley]

This one's not just unique, but a bit crazy: place small (waterproof) LED flashlight(s) in the subject's closed mouth. If they're bright enough the skin will glow. You can add to this by placing LEDs behind/through the ears, under hair (bangs), etc., to make the face "glow."

[@CorridorCrew]

This episode was amazing

[@joshuahershey2832]

It's the crew themselves!

[@kkay000]

It's the corridor itself!

[@thomasjbrablec]

To the point of motivated lighting, I love how you can light a subject with a car. Use taillights to get a red light, headlights for the harsh beams of light, or reflect light off of the car mirrors into someone's face. Mirrors create a very harsh reflection, but also a very directional beam that can act sort of like a gridded light. You can get a very noir look with a few cheap mirrors.

[@TylerEdwards]

Using an iPad/tablet with the screen on a blank white page with screen brightness all the way up is a great way to use that practical light as a key light when the talent is reading something from it in the scene!

[@indymogul]

Yes! Such a good episode

[@DIYCameraGuy]

My favorite way to light a face is a far side key with a key side fill and a kicker to separate and shape the shadow side of the face. Mixing the temp on the Key, fill and kicker is just icing on the cake.

[@yaomung5361]

insane how much thought and detail goes into something we take for granted.

[@NatesFilmTutorials]

Needed this! A unique way to light a face is flat lighting filling every shadow. Great example is from Arrival when Amy Adams is in the ship with the aliens. Bonus! A high noon western feel for outdoors is to place the sun as a backlight, 3/4 light to cast shadow on the face. And using fill if needed

[@DennisMaynard]

I'm not an expert by any means, but I shoot in small spaces with limited equipment, Amaran AL-MX and a Amaran HR 672. There isn't a lot of space to create depth with the lighting, so I will bounce the HR off the white walls at an angle for a little drama and use the AL as a fill. Then if I want to use a bounce to counter I can, or add gels for a look.

[@jonbowen5878]

I love it when a face is lit by reflected or refracted light, or at least given the illusion that it is. Like a mirror, window, or prism. It can evoke a lot of feeling.

[@MrOmniscience]

I love the two-face lighting when the light is directly beside the subject. When only one half of the face is lit; but, even better when you put two lights on both sides and the colors compliment each other, like orange on one side and blue on the other. I think it really fits in urban settings with lighting from storefronts, neon and street lights. Also, green and magenta looks amazing.

[@millenniumstories3289]

For shooting a scene involved hitmen preparing for his first mission in front of a bike, we used real light from bikes headlamp, which helped to create the edgy faces. This was enhancing the intensity of the scene. Also, during they checking out the weapons, the shades fell on their faces which showed the transformation of a normal person into a bad guy. We also used a reflector for fill.

[@Jonas_æ]

A happy accident from a short film for me was when shooting a low-key setup with the actor reading at his desk, and the practical used as his desk lamp was bouncing off of his notebook onto his face with a warm, soft yellowy light as if the book was emitting a glow onto his face. Which contrasted well with the cooler fill light.

[@alexj1219]

Not too sure if this counts as an interesting way to light someone. But I love have a harsh spotlight from behind and a little to the left or right then use a bounce in front. Gives a silhouette look while still keeping an ambience on your talent illuminated. (I also just really like a harsh rim light) (:

[@hiskishow]

Coolest way to light a face with nice hair is setting up a 2kw far away from behind the subject and then from the front filling in with an LED panel or even a reflector to just come back a little bit. It lights up the hair almost clipping and also accents the weather if there is fog or rain. Great for a detective show's shootout scene with the bad guy at the end! :)

[@hugocincala1221]

My favourite way to light a talents face is to set up a harsh side light key, with some soft light next to it beeing it more in front. of the talent. This makes a nice light to shadow progression throughout the face. You can also upgrade this look with back light from the other side.

[@jessepamintuan8440]

Simplest and most interesting way I found out this year was to simulate window light by doing soft light and a hard kicker from the same far side. Definitely a must-try!

[@marcusnaugler]

I shot a scene once using a small flashlight to light a two person scene with a taped on gel of CTB for a "moonlight" look. Had one of our grips hold it just out of frame while we shot the scene. Lol! Surprisingly enough, it looked very convincing!

[@NitroColaSSC]

I think a really cool way to light a face is to completely silhouette it, but still have it recognizable by setting up the blocking so the actor’s profile or body is clearly distinguishable. I get so excited whenever I see a shot like that :p

[@imagemediaresource]

My favorite way to light a face is to bounce light off of a low white ceiling (I use a reflector if ceiling isn't white or too high), then use 2 lights at 45 degree angles from the face, far side at 100% near at 40%. This is great for the interviews I do

[@stevenkralovec]

I usually use available natural light, with a reflector. I love using the sun as a backlight. But also, I have a cheap little LED video light, and sometimes at night I bounce it off the white curtains in front of the window at night to simulate a daytime in an interior setting where the light hits the face very softly and ambiently.

[@NewViewTechReview]

Lighting was the last thing I had thought about when I started my channel. Little did I know how important it is until somewhat recently. Keep up the informative videos! The youtube community needs these tips.

[@Hangs4Fun]

Best way to light a face to me is with a LightDome II using the provided gel holder. I would first use practical lights on scene and set exposure to the practical light with 3 to 6 stops of ND. I would use one 300d in a LightDome II as a far side key light, I would rin a 120d II with a LightDome II (and what ever gel color needed) for background lighting. Lastly I would add some hair lighting either one or two with 120D II and fresnel lens and different color gel for lighting contrast. This hair lighting not only helps separate the subject from the background but the difference in color helps create contrast and interest. Additional things I would do as needed? I would use AL-MX lights in the background as needed. If there was an exterior area that could be seen from the shoot (e.g. windows showing the outside, streets in the background) I would also consider lighting some of those depending on the look

[@JumpingWill]

Great episode! Thanks! Another interesting way to light the face for a beauty effect is to have the key coming from the top and behind the actor (sitting in the center of the frame) and bounce the light back to the actor's face with two reflectors, one on each side. And maybe have a couple mini 20Ds flashing the camera to give some flares. I learned it a while back from someone else, but I kinda love this setup for beauty shot.

[@grad-dd9zj]

another interesting way to light a face would be in a scene during golden hour, having the actor sit at a lake. you can bounce light of water and produce a little movement to the water so that you get that glimmer effect onto a face. the same would be possible with a night scene by a illuminated pool. here of course it's not tungsten light like during golden hour but more of a colder, lightly bluer light.

[@DIYCameraGuy]

That is a good one.

[@grad-dd9zj]

@@DIYCameraGuy thank you

[@highrateguy4270]

Great idea

[@bien.mp4]

excellent

[@Josh_Foster]

awesome stuff guys. i figured the channel might go quiet when ted said he was leaving so i’m happy to see that’s not the case. these videos have been great!

[@MarkArnett]

I like a blue edge light that hits a good deal of the face (except the nose needs to be flaged off). It provides separation, but also cotrast and another texture to the shadow side of the face. The world has different color tempature lights, so we are used to seeing that. I like it when that is used.

[@seboldsg]

Nice! Pretty cool and unique way to light a face in specific situation is a bit diffused light through water tank/ aquarium as a key. This is so unique! Controlling light by making water movement and also able to diffuse by adding milk :) Sounds weird but try! :)

[@AesonRose]

I like to use mostly bounce cards as fill lights! Most things I do are all backlit - and I bring in simple dollar store posterboard to bring up the shadows. Mixing color temps is a big plus, I love a nice glow behind people. Overall I agree though, the story should determine the lighting, not so much our personal preferences always.

[@VernardNuncioFields]

I would say some of the most interesting lighting techniques I enjoy seeing behind the scenes are the ones done with cookies. Interesting shadows are really helpful when it comes to shaping light and giving more definition to the environment and subjects.

[@fatboyproductions]

These videos are so good. Keep up the great videos! 👌🏼👌🏼

[@retlwiz]

was shooting in a pub once with hardly any lights and we used the fruit machine as a key bounced off a mirror and used a Sainsbury's bag to get a bit of bounced fill motivated from a candle on the table

[@flyguy8787]

The lighting at 8:45 pretty much reminds me of what most movies look like , he was right on with the “ rich source-less ambient lighting” type commentary about it. How far above the talent was the 300d when it was in the elevator shaft?

[@davidwitchell3982]

If you don't have money/gear, get a friends car and use the high beams diffused through a shower curtain (or neewer silk, they're only £10ish). That'll give you nice soft light you can use for a key, or through windows for ambient light. If you're doing night interiors, stick some slight blue gels (1/2CTb or something) and a tiny bit of green (1/8th plus Green) and blast through the silk for ambient moonlight coming through the window.

[@CriticasDeCineEn2Minutos]

I love mixing temps and play with white balance. is the most effective and inexpensive way to look cinematic.

[@seanskube]

I'm a fan of the way Robert Richardson lights with a harsh backlight that bounces back to light the actors' faces. Wally Pfister sometimes does something similar, like the first reveal shot of the Joker's face in TDK, though that might be an actual light and not bounce. Kinda hard to tell.

[@manchester8117]

I like a simple flashlight held by talent and panned across the room (with a bit of haze to taste)... occasionally hitting a piece of foamcore just out of frame.

[@melanienolley]

I get the most out of using natural light when ever out doors and a bounce card when possible. Indoors, mix temperature lighting, taking advantage of practicals as much as possible is my favorite look.

[@Bryce.Padovan]

I'm not even mad that 4min film school is like 10mins now lol woohoo!

[@pajaritoeldani]

I loooooove you Valentinaaaaaaa!!! you are the best!

[@ADAYWITHTOOTS]

Taking much needed notes

[@Clockwork9]

Absolutely amazing content as always. These instructional videos are great!

[@YoungBlaze]

lighting is so subjective but still love all the infomation here

[@alexj1219]

Love your channel and all the info it gives! Hoping I can get my stories out there and implement these skills

[@xxl0o]

Guys, your videos are incredible! As for giveaway: for car shots it's really cool to use small led lights because they doesn't take a lot of space and depending of where you put them - the result can be different (bottom - dramatic, top and side - more regular.

[@cj64films]

I shot a horror film with just 2 Apurture H198’s. Most of the time just I just bounced them off the ceiling & had them on a light stand. It gave the scene a very ambient & atmospheric look. & my actor was also holding a flashlight that helped a bit.

[@xyzproductreviewtest4006]

Cj64films let’s see some clips of that puppy (horror film)

[@cj64films]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWOvqmlsf82Sb9E

[@michaelfilmakerszone4267]

once illuminated the face of my talent with a piece of ceramics I liked what the light does when it bounces with that material it looks like a tarantino movie.

[@paul42scott]

Anyone know what the song is that starts at 3:20?

[@Matt.Gillard]

That was so cool! Lately I like using a phone’s screen as a practical light on a face to show emotion in a story, can get some really great shots!👍

[@birlingtheottawa]

I love doing a butterfly setup with a china ball/lantern and bounce board.

[@Cencolor]

Helmet with practicals inside is a pretty cool way, very sci-fi

[@ODHunte]

Great video. Do you mind revealing exactly what unbleached muslin was used with the 300D to light the elevator? There are different types of unbleached muslin but I really love the look that you guys achieved in that shot…thanks

[@valladaresp]

love to light faces with china balls controling de spill light with black fabric. Another way is thru a window with con sandblast and a really thin silk just for texture.!!

[@TheZaco32]

Awesome! This was so helpful

[@NomeDeArte]

I really love edge light! Great info, thanks!

[@Chadisms]

Love these vids but most of us youtubers don’t have the expensive 120d with all the accessories we have the smaller Aputure lights that are more portable like the AL-MX and F-7. Can you please do some more of these cinematic set ups using the more everyday lights? Thx

[@ekphotography]

Great one!!

[@IslandFilmMaker]

That was a great lesson! Lots of good ideas!! Thx so much :)

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

another thoughtful vid. thank you for the effort and the sharing. thumbs up.

[@ramiromunoz8994]

Have anyone realised that is the SAME SONG THAT Roger Deakins podcast

[@BobSchoepenjr]

Lighting is art

[@BadKarma714]

0:26 What is Narf did she mean Nerf?

[@ykchew4793]

It might be cool as well when the talent is facing the camera and have a strong back light to create silhouette and 2nd light straight from the front to fill up the shadow abit in scenes likes dim indoor bright outdoor, mysterious figure of a known character etc.

[@blankbrian]

What is the spolight attachment? Is that by aputure?

[@byronsmessedupmind5546]

This will be extremely helpful to me for future projects

[@rahulneupane9494]

1st back light at 11 o’clock in circle C 2nd key light at 2 o’clock in circle A 3rd fill book light at 1 o’clock in circle A 4th don’t forget about the eye light

[@guillermocastellanos1967]

This is so good

[@enduraman1]

very good info.

[@mrwesleyhsk]

extremely skillfull and helpful, lov u vee

[@1deloach]

We have two short films in-which we used the simple push lights with the white domes. In both cases it was a driving or car scene. The white domes are amazing at creating a soft gentle cool light that we wrapped in a 1/8 CTO to warm the color temp to contrast the blue tones throughout the shot. Looks really nice...here are the lights: goo.gl/gY9bYr

[@heyyitsandy]

Great episode! One of my favorite ways to light is with the key up at a 45 shooting down opposite camera, Then hit them with a soft fill through a jar of Kool-Aid and light diffusion 😅

[@filmcutpaste]

I’m enlightened!

[@jimkoral3824]

Book Light should really be called a "Grip Light." Requires 1 Electrician to set up the lamp, and 4 Grips to flag and tent all the spill with solid flags, floppys, cutters and C-Stands with sand bags.

[@essamshaheen4233]

Hello can you help in my first short film i want your help in sony a7s mark 2 setting for cinamatic short film i will be gladed for that

[@41666bg]

I actually use DMX DJ lights as they not only allow me to program color and brightness, but I can Easily animate them in a variety of ways as well. Price/performance ratio ain't half bad either. Oh, and of course, I can make money Actually DJ-ing on the side.

[@MeettheLowes]

Awesome videos! Thanks heaps. How about two lights above and slightly behind the subject on the left and right (motivated by a tall street lamp) creating a top light and hitting the cheek bones while looking down leaving the rest of the face in the shadows for a sort of lonely, spying or hiding vibe.

[@even6916]

Coolest way I can think of to light a face is to use your phone light and shine it on a dvd then angle it towards the face and it gives a cool multicoloured / rainbow glow (cheaper than buying coloured light filters lmao)

[@Chaoticmind_Shan]

Pls show the aputure 300d mark 2

[@BlobLaw]

Subject looking at cell phone with a white screen is an interesting way to light a face in the right scene.

[@RAMBO-xk5yw]

it depends in location and environment of the place with the help of the script.....bcoz we are the creator ......we can experiment as our script wants ...

[@WahyuCahyadi]

Very helpfull⁹

[@Humanzamba]

#apurture The best way to lit face ...when we shooting in a location look around where the practicals at there and put our lights on the same direction of the practical lights coming from . Always try to do the face look three dimensional it looks so natural

[@CriticasDeCineEn2Minutos]

you lighted my face with this tutorial

[@108Funality]

My favorite way to light a face is actually use only back light because them I can see the outline of the head. However the face remains very mysteries.

[@lazarkumaar9935]

Great

[@martinrandez7021]

I like Aputure products but the fact that they are often out of stock (and for long periods) makes the option not as enjoyable... at least for me.

[@Illution]

Here before the storm comes in haha

[@followyourfocus]

So far I used natural light very much.

[@eyedeasneverdie3348]

6:10 I once drank way to much and it lead to a floppy solid, quite an awkward night after that.

[@DirectedbyJalen]

I think a cool way to light a face is using a small outside gardening light. I had my talent place it near the cleavage of her shirt along with a half of napkin for diffusion, emulating a sinister bottom light on the face as she moves on the go. Even more sinister would be to take out the napkin and have it as harsh as possible. But I needed to tone down the light cause ya know, we all don't own A7iiis lol.

[@TWIMAGING]

Love u sister Great information 👍

[@mohammedabobakr6549]

Hmmmmmm i guess for that light from below the face You can try putting the light low on the ground Shooting it straight into the chin And use some foam core or bounce to fill in the rest of the face That'd be an interesting look Want to try it But too poor to afford trying it😂😂

[@ryanoffthegrid]

Valentina Vee looks like Piper from OITNB.

[@truongthuattuong5480]

I love you

[@raulgolfs]

Anyone else here from mondobytes IG story? 🙌🏽

[@youneschakib7129]

to use aputure hhh

[@ciongutek]

Putting solid objects in front of the light to shape the face with shadows rather than lights.

[@MG-ng6zl]

Light a face this way. Par, green glass through water. Hope I win.

[@pipopipo6477]

Am I the only one who thinks that they used too much fill lights? To have the cinematic drama look it is always better to have it a little to dark than to bright (flat) in my opinion.

[@SethBoogieMusic]

Leko + cutters.