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Lighting

 1) Still image analysis


Look at the still images on slides 33-37 of the Film Language PowerPoint linked above. Copy the images into your blog and answer the following questions for each image:
  1. Identify examples of high and low-key lighting.
  2. Say which depict top, back or under lighting.
  3. What effects are created by the lighting in each image? 
Image 1:














1. Low key lighting
2. Top and back lighting
3. Creates a large contrast between light and dark which is most noticeable in Noir

Image 2:





















1. Low key
2. Top light (soft)
3. Creates a lot of shadow and hides the setting and most of the character creating a sense of mystery or horror

Image 3:





















1. high key
2. Top, back and filler
3. Creates a striking or intimidating image of the character

Image 4:





















1. Low key
2. Top, back, filler
3.  The shadows and lit up background make it seem like a thriller with action and possibly intended to be noir

Image 5:






















1. High key
2. back, top
3. Creates an atmosphere of fear in the character through the shadows possibly horror

Image 6:
















1. High key
2. key light, ambient
3. The natural lighting of the scene makes it quite romantic as its much softer and realistic

Image 7:















1. Low key
2. Back lighting
3. The striking contrast of the light and shadow creates a striking image, possibly a noir or crime as the backlight creates shadows over the actors

Image 8:














1. Low key
2. Back lighting
3. Face clearly shown by background left in darkness making the image feel quite suspenseful as if there is something there, horror

Image 9:















1. High key
2. Top, filler light 
3. The use of high key makes the image feel much softer and rounded, gives off a much more calming atmosphere 

Image 10:





















1.High key
2. Ambient-key light, lack of filler and other lights  
3. Horror, intimidating uneasiness of the unkown

Image 11:





















1. High key
2. Back, bottom, slight use of filler lights
3.Softer lighting created by high key makes the image feel a little more relaxed and romantic

2) Film noir research 

Research film noir - focusing on the genre’s distinctive lighting style. Make notes on the genre and particularly the use of lighting - bullet points are fine. 

Film noir is a style of film making that is most well associated with stark lighting effects, often using flashbacks a complex plot and underlying philosophical ideas. (was most prevalent post 1945)

  • Not known whether is should be characterised as a full on genre or subgenre as film noir has been used for more than just crime dramas but also westerns and comedies

  • others argue its a designation for black and white film made int the 1940s and 50s

  • Inspiration for the (genres) lighting can be traced to 'the cabinet of doctor Caligari' (1920)

  • This type of lighting was used to create more sombre tones

  • without the use of this type of lighting some unique effects can not be used if natural lighting or colour was used instead such as shimmering light and flashing neon


3) Film noir YouTube clip analysis 

Finally, find a YouTube clip that fits the film noir genre and embed it under your research (the clip can be classic noir from the 1950s or something more recent - neo-noir). How does the clip's lighting fit the film noir genre? 

1:21:47  to around 1:23:00 into the movie (could not find clip)

Noir film: Night of the living dead



The lighting throughout the movie, but can be specifically seen much clearer within this scene, the lighting is used to create large contrasts between light and dark as we can clearly see the faces of the characters while the light is on them but there is a clear void/ darkness where by the character is completely enshrouded in darkness creating that stark contrast between light and shadow.

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