Filmmaking 101 - Three Point Lighting Tutorial

In this tutorial I walk you through what Three Point Lighting is, what its uses are, and how to achieve it for Cinematography or Still Photography.
Key Light, Fill Light, Hair Light.
Check out my production company: www.rethink-films.com
Instagram: @rethinkfilms
Disclaimer I have used KZbin’s Editor tool to remove a piece of misinformation I mistakenly said at the 4:15 mark. I initially misspoke during filming and said “the light also gets softer as you push it away”. The light actually gets harder, or more accurately, the shadows get harder/sharper the more you push the light away as the light source gets smaller relative to the subject.

[@jhernandez788]

why cant every tutorial for everything be this simple? he explained each light. gave examples and showed what each does. thank you. i fully understand each light now.

[@cristinadriviera8144]

J Hernandez+ So true!

[@carot2003]

Totally agree..

[@mr.jaborstudios1922]

My sentiments exactly!

[@addictivstudio]

Did you mean to say "thank you for enlightening me" ?

[@AmanBansil]

ya same here. So many youtubers talk but it feels like they dont really know what they're talking about. He actually explained why.

[@SD-yb5fx]

Thank you for not playing any soundtracks!!! Straight to the point, accurate and without any distractions. Big thumbs up.

[@Jonne2002]

because the video is made in 2012. youtube was intro-less and direct back then

[@Ciprian-Amarandei]

The thing about not having any music creates the feeling of an interview, which gives more weight to the voice and focuses more on the information , rather than entertaining

[@lynnm8081]

Yes, it can be quite distracting with background soundtracks and harder to hear. Good move!

[@FranklySpeakingwithGloryElijah]

Found this video in 2022 and so must Say THANK YOU for enriching my lighting game❤️😘

[@DiCasaFilm]

I’m happy this video has had such longevity! Thank you for commenting!

[@FranklySpeakingwithGloryElijah]

@@DiCasaFilm All thanks to you. 😘😘

[@Sim1Designs]

2023 SAME!

[@justatasteproductions]

Bumping into this 11 years after it was posted, still by far the most helpful video on three point lighting I've found online. Thank you so much!

[@DiCasaFilm]

That’s great to hear.

[@JimParshall]

Not joking, this is one of the best if not THE best explanation and example of three point lighting I have seen that wasn't in actual "school". You rock. Thanks so much.

[@WatchdogGoon]

This is probably the third time I have watched this and I always laugh at "Don't walk over that little bridge tomorrow."

[@Legend-fm8ns]

ahahahah.. I should have read the comments before I watched this. caught me off-guard man. And boy, having a gulp of coffee midway on your throat is not a very pleasing thing.

[@mpgetz1]

so awkward! lol

[@ginob615]

Absolutely best video I've seen on 3 point lighting! Straight and to the point.

[@TrisPatisserie]

i agree, brilliant video

[@yoelcueto]

I agree too

[@themediacircusproductions9282]

Straight to the point that could have been explained in 2 minutes, not 10.

[@jbilotta]

This is VERY informative! I've been modeling over 18 years & can take a GREAT photograph of myself and other things but I have -0- what I'm doing; I just know what looks good. I am getting a huge learning curve doing self tapes for acting. Understanding how to create a solid background with no shadows and to look good, is another ballgame. I definitely need to learn tech now.

[@seniorministerofenjoyment5819]

I have been watching (i kid you not) a thousand videos today trying to find the best lighting to get started and I was just about to give up when I saw your video recommended. And this just changed everything for me!!! Now I understand why lighting from different angles is KEY! thank you so much

[@barrybarger3613]

I think I've watched this video 20 times in the last 3 years. It is explained simply, and every time I'm filming and wondering WTF am I doing wrong I come back here. Seriously, this is tight and simple. Thanks DiCasa.

[@DiCasaFilm]

Hey now. Thank you Barry. 😎

[@EngineeredTruth]

this video was very helpful. well explained. I like how you turned on the lights individually.

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thank you!

[@AHerosJourneywithDrD]

I agree , he made it real elementary

[@AbdulAlim-gw1hg]

আল

[@AbdulAlim-gw1hg]

আল

[@RSpudieD]

This was very well produced and definitely taught a lot. I struggle and honestly don't know too much about 3 point lighting but watching this, I'm certainly going to give it another go.

[@kirkdarling4120]

From a portrait photographer: "Hair light" is intended to keep dark hair from going completely black; don't do a hair light on bald men, and you may not need it on blondes. Background separation may be done by "edge-lighting" the subject or lighting the background, but "edge-lighting" is not "hair lighting." Edge lighting should be narrower and shaped along an entire edge of the subject, not just on the head. There may be a cinematic reason for making the top of a man's bald head the most important visual interest point in the scene...but most often, not.

[@calix451]

lol I was thinking the same thing all the time!

[@kirkdarling4120]

An image is an image and light is light. If you make a video of a bald corporate executive, don't put a light on the top of his head.

[@KinetibebStudios]

Very nice tutorial DiCasaFilm. Thank you!! I was thinking similarly to Kirk here, just not as a rule. From my school days, three-point-lighting includes key-light, fill-light, and 'back-light'. 'Back-light' is supposed to do a mix of what are mentioned here, 'hair-light' (not as harsh coz of the reasons Kirk mentioned) and 'edge-light' (not as soft coz it's gatta hit the head as well). Again, we're not setting rules here, but 'back-light' definitely makes more sense to me.

[@opwave79]

I see what you mean, Kirk. His hair light is too hot. If that's a personal preference over edge lighting, then perhaps dial it back a couple notches.

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Kirk Darling Please correct me if I’m wrong, but this is similar to the “kicker”, placed on the fill side but off axis? (Fill side because otherwise you’re fighting the key.)

[@longfordboy2538]

I see that part of your success is a great personality. I know nothing, nada, zilch about filming anything. Your delivery keeps me watching. I wish you had videos on very basic stuff . Thanks

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thanks, Mr. Boy! I appreciate that. Hey, if it's my nutty self that keeps you watching, I'm excited to tell you that I'm starting a live show that will stream every Monday and Wednesday right here on this channel! It starts June 8th. Consider subscribing to be notified when I am live. Check my most recent video for the trailer. You can watch along as I edit / dissect photos, and ask me anything. Hopefully it's a fun learning experience.Thanks!

[@josephbradford6549]

This is arguably one of the best videos on 3 point lighting I have ever watched. There are several reasons. One is the fact that you talk about positioning and distance. You actually have a camera shooting wide so that we can actually see where everything is. Not only that, you actually turn off lights so that we can see what it looks like with and without each light.

[@mkphotofilm]

This so much better than other channels such as "Full Time Filmmaker", even though it's over 10 years old. No paid promotions and asks for feedback at the end. Kudos!

[@Beamtekk]

Thank you for shedding some "light" on this subject :)

[@egg7212]

Wamp wamp waaaaaaaaaaaaamp.

[@Ztravelsinpumps]

HAAAAAA best comment ever!

[@emodarkstalker001weir7]

Somewhere a Papyrus is screaming XD

[@agnimitroghosh94]

i knew somebody was gonna say it

[@worldalternate]

good

[@amandadyba2668]

This was great! I've read other articles about 3 point lighting but seeing each light individually and how they combine together was super helpful!

[@revreve]

Totally excellent. I would love to see your green screen lighting tutorial if you've made it.

[@leroypeck127]

Thank you for this tutorial. I own a studio and work with portrait photographers and videographers. The lighting patterns are the same, but neeeds dictate how they are modified, as you poited out. This is very straight forward and simple to follow. I have to explain these things to those who are new to studio lighting and your tutorial is very helpful!

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thanks for watching and subscribing! I'm glad it helps. :)

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

this is the best video on lighting I have seen. I know its been years but would love your green screen lighting tutorial. Give this a like if you all agree!

[@dallasbagley]

Thank you for this! Straight forward, and entirely understandable!

[@dadarkar]

Nobody: Bald guy: I love the hair light! Just kidding. Very informative video.

[@DiCasaFilm]

Hahaha.

[@fatimaelmaanaoui267]

ه

[@rafiy7150]

@@DiCasaFilm I think removing the hair light is better for you, I hate the shine

[@MarkJones-zg6si]

Excellent video, thank you! I love the wide angle camera because it shows all the sources. When you focused on the individual lights and what they add, it brought the whole ‘picture’ together.

[@HPRshredder]

Just about the best tutorial I've seen on anything. I come back to this just to watch it for entertainment. Great stuff. For 2012 this is insane quality for KZbin.

[@beautygeek4]

Thank you SO much for making this video! It's probably the best I've seen on lighting. Very easy to understand for a beginner, which is what I needed!

[@christiansky8988]

Beauty Geek want make action movie?

[@cameronfairbairn]

Great tutorial. I was looking for a simple three point lighting tutorial and you delivered!!!

[@williamdaniels1798]

Dude this was so helpful! Thanks for keeping it simple and practical.

[@Mezsky]

I have absolutely no knowledge in Cinematography but this was very informative and had some dry humor. I loved it. Thank you.

[@SethSherwood]

Very Good job DiCasa. Simple and clear instructions. Will look for the green screen video. Thanks.

[@rayafahreza]

Thank you for this. I've read and seen others but this is the first one that explains it clearly in a simple way. Now I thank God I have a boomstand. Just need to get the lights.

[@murphygayheart2259]

Thanks dude...........You'll make a great teacher

[@spencerselover]

Light doesn't get softer as you push it away. This is a common mistake, it gets less intense (less bright due to more falloff), but it actually gets harder (creates more defined shadows). the farther the light gets the "smaller" the light source appears to the subject's perspective, making it create harder shadows. Good tutorial none-the-less.

[@cristinadriviera8144]

Spencer Selover + Nice one - thank you.

[@ZoieNhoa]

I love how you talk and explain things so naturally and simple. You make us feel like we can do it! :-D And I learned so much so quickly!

[@DiCasaFilm]

That's because you can! Thanks for watching. :)

[@badriprince]

A video without bgm, straight to the point. Loved it

[@dancegururohit]

i am so glad to see his video ,thank you so much , this will help , good wishes from Indore, India .

[@JulienNeel]

Excellent tutorial, thank you! I just miss tips on how to do this myself with a cheap budget.

[@DiCasaFilm]

Hahaha. I hear you. I should do more budget friendly videos. Problem is doing filmmaking friggin expensive. :-\

[@rafiy7150]

led bulb is so cheap now in 2021, just do the diy

[@VALSINHA]

The best tutorial I've seen so far. I have a question: do I need to set up like this if I have a big natural light window in front of me?

[@samueludohbassey1750]

I don't think so....that should naturally be your key light, then you'll just need to add the fill and hair light to compliment it

[@dennisgrosen1815]

I know its 3 year late :) but you don´t need a second light or more you can just use a white board made of either cardboard or what we call flamingo/polystyrene board to lighten the dark side of your face, you can learn a ton from photography books about to use different light and light settings from natural light to advanced light setting with several types of lights

[@bv5095]

Make sure your the color temperature of your light matches the ambient (outdoor light coming through your window) fuuuuuck is generally around 5600 degrees Kelvin. Most practical lights in lamps and light fixtures are sound 3200 Kelvin. I know this is 4 years late...

[@DiCasaFilm]

Val Santos Great question. A big window with natural light is great to have. If your camera can sit in the window to shoot you straight on, you’re probably set. If you have to position yourself to the side of the window you might want to have a reflector to bounce some light back to your fill side to even it out. One downside to filming this way is that you’re restricted to filming only during the day when it’s relatively nice out, but if that’s not a problem I say use it!

[@naleendemalaporuwa7967]

No drama at all. Even though it 's about films. Perfect.

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thanks, Naleen. Hey, just want to let you know that my Live Stream show starts tomorrow at 6pm EST, and continues every Monday and Wednesday. I hope you can join! Consider subscribing to my channel to be notified when I go live - it’s free!

[@florasoler3675]

Loved the "don't walk over that little bridge" part ! haha

[@WhosKoos]

You're such a great teacher! I appreciate this video very much! Thank you!

[@saroyy]

I've watched a few other lighting tutorials before this, and this is by far the most helpful. Loved the natural humour just before 7:03 as well. Made me lol!

[@TheCaliforniaFrank]

That "ancestor" scene for hair lighting!!! 😂😂😂😂 Love it man, thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[@davidazinger5639]

dude, you are an excellent instructor !!! you explain very well by turning off the other lights and making comparisons. thanks.

[@flylorenzo2127]

Bro, this was a great video. You were articulate, easy to understand, and watchable. Jolly good carry-on!

[@amir-razzak]

ancestor: "dont walk over that bridge tomorrow" pewds : "sorry ancestor"

[@seanswords5407]

so helpful. i'd like to learn green screen lighting and more about cinematography. thank you! and subscribed already!

[@FergbyFive]

Hey Steve, I love your tutorials. You've helped me every step of the way. I have to do a homeowner testimonial coming up. Looking at this I think I will only need two lights as hair light is probably going to be overkill and make it look like my talent is in a movie studio not relaxing in their home. What would be your take on this? Thanks!

[@diptiman2008]

Please make more videos.....on any subject. You are so real and practical. Just loved the video

[@DiCasaFilm]

Just posted a new video yesterday. Check it out!

[@KatyLynnWinery]

I watched this video 1 year ago when just starting out. Coming back to this now I have as you suggest have made things complicated. Learning the camera etc got in the way. Now back to your basics. Thanks.

[@anthonycilli2078]

My HS Broadcasting students and I really liked this tutorial and we'd be thrilled to see one done one green screen lighting. Any chance you'd be willing to make one for us?

[@rickleow736]

6:50 "Don't walk over that little bridge tomorrow.."

[@DiCasaFilm]

Exactly! But you know what you CAN do tomorrow?? You can come hang out in my Live Stream show that’s launching its first episode tomorrow at 6pm est! Haha, great segue right? Hope to see you there! Subscribe to be notified. :)

[@macowigo3306]

😆😆I feel you

[@joshh7213]

So is the hair light basically the same as a back light or rim light?

[@beachbum4691]

Straight into it, Steve is totally the professional educator and so much taught in 10 Info-packed-minutes, Incredible format., Applies equally to still-work :) (No-Intro-No-Steel-band-No-quartet to waste time, just a quality learning opportunity., Thanks Steve :)

[@kirtikerthaker1691]

Excellent presentation , thank you for your all TIPS. I am just start taking Videos for my friends & Family , New player, but your tip has given me good understanding about lighting. Thanks again.

[@CanalBobinho-Massinhas]

great job man! thanks a lot!

[@BrunoAlbouze]

Great job!

[@OnlyNews24x7]

what is the price of video studio setup ?

[@mikul3122]

5000

[@XCBen]

Great video man! Going through self taught film school for my youtube channel and going through all l the video to watch. Thanks for this.

[@antlerup]

This has got to be the best lit video on KZbin 11 years ago.

[@MarcoJetti]

Very nice tutorial! But at 4:15 you said something wrong. If you push away a light it will not get softer but harsher. That is why the sun makes a harsh light when it's not cloudy.

[@maxp8914]

That's wrong. Sunlight is harsher when there are not clouds in the sky because clouds act as a diffuser.

[@MarcoJetti]

Light Yagami We are saying the same thing! But beside the width of a diffuser, it is also important the distance of a light!

[@ukuleleangela6153]

@@NerdRapper yall have now confused me. so for a soft pretty light i should put it closer?

[@David-ud9ju]

@@ukuleleangela6153 Yes, or keep it at the same distance and hang a thin bed sheet or something in front of it to spread the light out more.

[@BunkerMountain]

"You need to take that job" hahaha \

[@wildreams]

Not sure about other people, but I think the hair light kinda emphasized his baldness.

[@DiCasaFilm]

I'm gonna start calling it a bald light.

[@KeisharJeenkins]

DiCasaFilm The proper name for it is called Rim light

[@fabiennemelon558]

who care what it is call, this is great information.

[@DementedMind]

Very observant. Coming from a photography background, it is something we are very much aware of. The intensity of a hair/rim light has to be varied based on the subject. A subject with blonde hair doesn't need as much hair light as a subject with dark hair. And a person who is balding on top needs even less. Unless your goal is to bring attention to the fact that they are bald. Plus, under hot lights, they would have a tendency to perspire and reflect even more light.

[@cristinadriviera8144]

@@DiCasaFilm + Don't listen to the jokers - you're cool.

[@dipankardas321]

your subscriber base shud be way more than what it is now. U r a good teacher sir . i just subscribed to ur channel. i had a lot of questions about Lighting . ur vdo helped.

[@Devon.Hayashida]

great tutorial. Great info and hilarious. "Don't take that job tomorrowww". Thanks for this!

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thank YOU for watching! Consider checking out my live stream show. I stream live here every Monday and Wednesday at 6pm EST. Hope to see you there!

[@formattester6]

"softer further away?" if the size of the light stays the same then the light gets harder the further away it gets. thats why a 22" beauty dish is so soft when its in a very close proximity for a portrait for instance but if you move it back 6' its just another light that is small and you will have severe shadows vs close like 3'.

[@stereothrilla8374]

"Cinematography is simple". LMAO

[@joshtheintrovert7928]

Of course cinematography is simple. GOOD cinematography is hard.

[@hawkeye48]

About half way through, he said if you want to soften the light push the light back a bit. I thought the closer the light, the softer the light, ergo the further away the harder the light. Have I got this backwards?

[@alexhanke7460]

yes you do. Backing it away allows the light to diffuse more in the space. The closer it is the harsher/brighter it will be.

[@mematron]

Think, inverse square law

[@shawnrussell2893]

No you are correct Dale, I'm not sure why Alex and Mema have told you otherwise. Closer and larger sources are softer. Intensity will decrease though as you get further away, which is different than the softness of light.

[@mematron]

Shawn Jensen I'm speaking from experience.

[@hawkeye48]

mema tron So you're saying the sun is not a harsh light?

[@heatherfork9977]

Wonderful video. You are a very clear and natural teacher! Thank you for shedding light on lighting!

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thanks Heather! I try. :) Hey, just want to let you know that my Live Stream show starts tomorrow at 6pm EST, and continues every Monday and Wednesday. I hope you can join! Consider subscribing to my channel to be notified when I go live - it’s free! Thanks

[@KemuntoBear]

I love this straight to the point plus easy straight forward illustrations..

[@jfrux]

I love tutorials about lighting that, themselves, have good lighting... if you're teaching me how to light a scene and your video has shit lighting I just can't watch... great job DiCasaFilm

[@hjvsloveisdead]

Actually the first thing they teach you is how to open a C-stand.

[@DiCasaFilm]

I didnt mess with a C-stand until after I had my hands on a camera. Just my experience though.

[@dreamdiarytv2399]

Nice vid. “Hair” light way too bright 🤣

[@TheLoobis]

Let me tell you why this video was so good. I'm not even into filmmaking and I watched this video to the end. You gave just info, info, info. You want this because it does this. If you don't do this, this will happen, etc. Good job.

[@RickJones222]

Thankyou! I've seen lots of videos about lighting, but yours is the most concise!

[@gopakitv7721]

But you don’t have any hairs

[@googleaccount230]

I love how passionate you are about your hair light...

[@simoninglis7437]

Hi Steve. I'm a professional teacher, and I found your video outstanding. It was very well organised, clear, well delivered and I found it very helpful. When showing the hair light effect alone, I agree it gives a kind of spooky/spiritual look. Your sense of humour is very good. Don't be afraid to relax and let your sense of humour show a bit whenever you feel like it. Thanks for teaching me some basics about lighting. Awesome.

[@Tech215Studios]

Great Job dude!!! This is exactly how I was taught, turn everything off and add one light at a time. I really prefer the 22mm 2.0 and 50mm 1.8 on Canon. I really think so many people crank the ISO when I personally think it’s better to shoot as wide open as possible and have the ISO as low as possible.

[@DougForce]

Very helpful! I understood the basics but seeing them individually and together really explains the concept. Thank you!

[@juanitabonita717]

Excellent video, great content, right to the point, not annoying music, paced One of the BEST videos ever... thanks for sharing !

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thank you!

[@inmyopinion-Unobserved]

Best video! I’ve been looking for a better explanation! Thank you!

[@mikeskitchenstories7929]

Great Tips. Laughed myself with your Hello...you need to take that job and walking over the bridge. Thank you for Lighting 101. Mike

[@michaelburgess157]

DiCasa does an excellent job at making it plain. I could easily go on and on about how unboringly thorough and novice-friendly this video is. (But I won't.) Nicely done, Mr. DiCasa.

[@debaosaghae]

I absolutely loved this video! Thank you very very much 🙏🏽 6 years later and it’s still very relevant. God bless you!

[@JackGilbertJr]

This is one of the clearest and best tutorials I have ever seen. I’m new to lighting and this was exceptional. Thanks

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thanks, Jack! Hey, I wanted to let you know that I’m starting a live show that will stream every Monday and Wednesday right here on my channel! It starts June 8th. Come hang out if you can. The trailer to the show is my most recent video post. Hope to see you there! Consider subscribing to be notified when I go live. Thanks so much!

[@wilmeralexandermartusgil4781]

SIMPLE, ELOCUENT, DEEPLY EFFICIENT... good job bro! thanks.

[@DiCasaFilm]

“Deeply efficient” - i like that. Thanks!

[@sherrychapters6312]

this information is incredible helpful! even after 8 years! Thank you

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thank you! Always good to make "evergreen" content.

[@gilsonmariano1]

Best video about lighting ever! watching in 2020. simple, direct and practical

[@jaybcreighton]

Thank you, Mr. DiCasa, for your tutorial. I've built my own videography studio in my home and I want to be sure that I've spent enough time working on the lighting and the audio for my studio. This tutorial is very helpful. Thank you again, sir. Jay Creighton

[@DiCasaFilm]

James Creighton You’re welcome!

[@calvinraab8798]

It's amazing all the different moods you can get with just 3 lights!

[@aaronklaser64]

This was probably the best explanation and example of how to set up basic lighting I have ever scene! Also, don’t walk over that bridge tomorrow.

[@MarionBlair]

This is excellent. My first step into lighting and you couldn't have explained it better. thanks.

[@8686joedog]

I sub'd because of how personable you are and the little jokes you made throughout this video. Well done video!

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thanks for Subbing Joe! I try and stream twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays if my work schedule allows. Stay tuned for them!

[@TheButtercreamDiva]

Thank you! I do recorded baking classes and your video helps a lot!

[@DiCasaFilm]

Amazing! Good luck with the classes! Make a lot of money!

[@ukuleleangela6153]

this is one of the best if not the best lighting vid i have seen. you explained a lot, slowly and throughly. makes me want to watch more of your vids. thank you. cant wait to get myself a better set up.

[@derekanderson7663]

Great, clear tutorial, easy to understand!

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thanks Derek! Hey, just want to let you know that my Live Stream show starts tomorrow at 6pm EST, and continues every Monday and Wednesday. I hope you can join! Consider subscribing to my channel to be notified when I go live - it’s free! Thanks

[@afrikanking4022]

You are the best human being man thank you so much for taking your time out and showing this.

[@brownpunk1794]

Best tutorial on this..perfect. You did a stellar job

[@DiCasaFilm]

Thanks!

[@nettyvoyager6336]

oh at the end of this you hit the nail on the head now i have learnt key fill hair and keyno backlighting i am ready for the next step i find these very useful tutorials