key light
Principal facial illumination
The key light is the primary light source in photography, film, or video production—the main illumination that defines a subject's shape and creates the dominant shadows.
Other lights (fill, back, rim) are positioned relative to the key light: The cinematographer placed the key light high and to the left for dramatic shadows.
- reflectorLight-redirecting surface
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
- cinematographyMotion picture visual craft
- lightingArt of illuminating spaces
- softboxStudio light diffusion enclosure
lighting setup · face · focus · Rembrandt · lamp · directional lighting · illumination · contrast ratio · barn doors · directional · spotlight · intensity · color temperature · tungsten · catchlight · dramatic · portrait · mood
- lightsunlight, daylight, shine, rays, moonlight
- stagingstaging, stage, set, set design, set dressing
- photoshootsphoto shoot, photoshoot, photographer, studio, model
- portraitureheadshot, portrait lighting, self portrait, formal portrait, candid portrait
- stage lightingspotlight, spotlights, Fresnel, followspot, follow spot
- Studio Gearcamera, microphone stand, tripod, headphones, lights
three-point lighting hierarchy
key lightfill light
Shadow-reducing auxiliary illumination
back light · rim light · kicker · ambient light · accent light