Lighting blog tasks

 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?     

In this image, I can identify the use of low-key lighting as there as contrasts between shadows. Top lighting is used as you can see the light hitting her face. These create a mysterious effect as the darkness being surrounded by the smoke in light connotes secrecy and deception.

Here, low-key lighting is also used as there are hard contrast between the light and dark and we can barley see what is bellow her. I think top lighting as we can only see light next to her and on her face. This creates an effect of horror and fear as her facial bones are highlighted making her seem almost sickly.

In this image, low-key lighting is used on his face by using back lighting (and ambient lighting) which creates an intense effect whereas we can clearly see his clothes which look fancy highlighting his class. This connotes that he may be a king of some sort who is stern and serious.

This image features low-key lighting as there is more darkness then light and there is more contrast. Top lighting is used as the side of his face is highlighted rather then his whole body or background. This creates a effect of power as the top lighting glamorises this man as a hero.

In this image low-key lighting is used to show the contrast between the woman and the silhouette, using back lighting, which creates an effect of suspense and secrecy as we are unsure of who the man is and what is he doing that is making the woman fearful.

In this scene, we can see low-key lighting as there is a contrast between the darkness of the room and the light peeking from the shades. This is top lighting as the light would be from the sun. This creates an effect of secrecy but communicates that their love could be a secret but is eventually about to be exposed.

In this image, low-key lighting is used using back lighting to make contrasts between the silhouette and the bright areas. It creates an effect of happiness as it makes us focus on the shape of everyone within the picture and their closeness.

The use of low-key lighting, made from front lighting, emphasises the shadows, which creates an effect of suspense and mystery. Furthermore, the low-key lighting highlights her facial expression of confusion and fear.

The low-key lighting hides the main subject, creating a sense of fear, as we are unaware of who this person is and their goals. Top lighting is used as we only see light hitting the top of the image, which creates an enigmatic effect.

 The high-key lighting in this image, created with top lighting, makes an effect of hope and innocence. This is further emphasised as the light highlights the woman's prayer expression, which similarly has connotations of hope and worship.

Top lighting is used to create low-key lighting. The fact that the man's shadow covers the light for the woman and creates a contrasting shadow communicates to us that possibly their relationship is negative, as he's shielding her from light, which has connotations of hope and peace. This creates a sad and pitiful effect, which is further emphasised by his stern and unloving expression.

Note: if the images don't display correctly in your blog then simply use the number of each image and answer the three questions for each.

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. 

•  Known for its intense lighting
• Use of chiaroscuro
• Typically uses a single light source
• Femme fatales
• Lighting is key to creating meaning through symbols
• Frequently features night scenes, which contribute to the typical moody atmosphere
• A usual motif is light being filtered through blinds, which symbolises entrapment
• Neo noir means new noir
• Sharp shadows can symbolise threat
• Typically takes place in an urban setting
• Mainly talks about moral ambiguity

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? 

In this film noir movie, we can see frequent contrasts between light and dark, which could symbolise their moral ambiguity of characters, which also links to the topic of conversation, which is about a large sum of money which hasn't been made ethically. This idea of crime was a typical feature in the film noir genre. Furthermore, the female character is a femme fatale, which is also typical within the genre, as audiences would like this. A women audience would enjoy a femme fatale as it represents women as powerful and strong, whereas a male audience would enjoy a femme fatale as she's good looking and glamorous.

Additionally, the hotel, which is a modern setting, is a typical convention as movies within the film noir genre take place in an urban setting.