Three Point Lighting

Here is a simple image of the three point lighting system. 

You have your Key light which lights the subject/s with the Fill light creating depth and the backing light separating the actor/tress from the background. 

Although lighting creates a lot of problems, Shadows can be controlled, but with a lot of difficulty. Lighting is used to create depth, to create an illusion, to let the audience know what time of day or even year it is. 

Having the Key light and the Fill light cross can create multiple shadows and if the actor has two shadows this can make the shot look fake, set like. Simple things like bringing the subject further away from the wall can hide the shadows. 

Lights can also be used to create emotion in a character. 

Today we looked at paintings from the famous artists Rembrandt and Vermeer, two artists which use light to create shadows and depth to their subjects. 

The two are referenced in film making today and their work has influenced lighting in many films. 

Of course there are many other techniques other than the 3 point lighting but this is one that is simple and effective.