3 Point Lighting

Three point lighting is fundamentally a way of expressing where to place your lights for cinematography.

3 point lighting. The three point lighting technique is a standard method used in visual media such as video film still photography and computer generated imagery. 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. Three point lighting is a foundational lighting technique that you can learn to master over. Once you understand three point lighting you are well on the way to understanding all lighting.

By using three separate positions the photographer can illuminate the shot s subject such as a person however desired while also controlling or eliminating entirely the shading and shadows produced. Three point lighting is not a fixed standard or a formula but rather a guide on light position and placement. Used in video photography and other media 3 point lighting consists of a primary key light a fill light to fill up shadows and a backlight providing depth. The standard 3 point lighting technique.

It is a simple but versatile system which forms the basis of most lighting. A lighting technique used to wrap your subject in light from 3 separate points of light. Basic three point lighting setup video in our best lighting for youtube videos tutorial series.