Lighting

Cinematographers use lighting to enhance and/or create atmosphere and mood in the scene. It's important that they get full control over the lighting and have continuity that helps connect shots together.

Hard light is usually smaller than the subject so it casts a very harsh light that causes there to be very dramatic shadows.

 

Soft light is larger than the subject and will create less shadow resulting in a much softer and lighter image.



There are various lights that film makers use on set;

• Blondes (2000v) These are absolutely lethal if handled the wrong way. They are very powerful lights and there are many safety precautions when using these lights. 
• 300s are industry standard film lamps. They have a lens that allows you to distribute the light.

Lighting by Kelvin; daylight is usually 5600 degrees kelvin (blue) and tungsten lighting is usually 2300 degrees kelvin (orange).

You can bounce harsh light off walls to create nice soft lighting. Soft light makes people look much better than they are so you'll usually see models and superstars in soft light. Harsh light ages people. 

You can also use a defuser (material, mesh) to lessen the strength of the light or reflect the light using things like a poli board.   

Basically harsh light only really illuminates the subject head on and is easy to control, soft light on the other hand lights up a lot of the set and is much harder to control. So you have to manage a pleasant balance between both sets of light to get the set lit the way that will enhance the film and composition.     

Its also important that you are aware of your actors when they are placed directly in front of powerful lamps because they are so bright and very hot it can cause a bit of distress. 

REMEMBER; Shadows are a good thing, play about with them and they can really enhance the set and what you see on camera. 

ND filters are basically sunglasses for your camera. When you need your iris open and lots of light going into your camera things can start to look over exposed so by using an ND filter this reduces the burnt out. Most larger cameras come with ND filters built in but DSLRs need to have them bought separate. 

Also by using gels placed over the lamps you can change atmosphere on your set.

In the end its about getting what really needed on screen and shooting it in a way that appropriate for the story.