Lighting Research

Ambient Lighting: light already present in a scene before any extra lighting is added.

Incident Lighting: Light sourced from a light source such as a lamp.

Reflected Lighting: Light seen after bouncing off a surface.

Contrast Ratio: difference in brightness between the brightest white and darkest black.

Hard Light: Light directly from a source such as the sun tavelling undisturbed onto the subject.

Soft Light; Light that appears to wrap around the subject produces less shadows or softer shadows.

Key Light: main light on subject in 3 point lighting provides most of the illumination and contrast.

Fill Light: light placed to the side of the subject to fill out shadows and balance the key light.

Back Light: Light placed at rear of subject to create light from behind.

Hard Key Lighting

Low Key Lighting

Contrast Ratio