Lighting

Classic 3-point lighting

Chiaroscuro lighting

Underlighting

Backlighting

Low Key Lighting

High Key Lighting

In this scene below from the film ‘Se7en’ we are shown four types of lighting: natural, low-key, under-lighting and back lighting.

The natural lighting is shown at the start of the scene, suggesting ‘normality’ – perhaps a gritty realism.

Once the scene turns that much darker and serious we see props such as the guns when the scene moves into a dark room apartment shot with low-key lighting. This creates a mysterious uneasy effect also making the scene seem tense.

Back lighting is used mainly on the characters wearing suits while the men dressed in all black leading the front are all low-keyed making them seem dangerous and serious. The back lighting used on the two men in suits makes them look pure and good, showing that these men are good men who represent the law.

Underlighting is used when one of the police officers examines a body he believes is dead. He is then shocked when the person breathes; the under-lighting used on his face allows us to see his surprised facial expressions.