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Home Courses Lighting Basics
CoursesFilmmaking

Lighting Basics

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Discover the fundamentals of lighting techniques

  • 32 Lessons
  • 2 hours of instructional videos

Lighting Basics is an introductory course in the art of lighting techniques. Shane Hurlbut, ASC breaks down the fundamentals with his lighting playbook where you’ll find where to place your first stroke of light and how to best convey the emotions of a story. 

Gain confidence and watch your quality of lighting jump to peak heights as you put what you learn into practice. Expect to learn about 3-Point Lighting, bounce light, and the basics of shaping and controlling light.

Two things define cinematography: where you place the light, and how you create shadow and separation. Lighting Basics will give you the confidence to place the light.

  • Detailed Written Breakdowns
  • Top-Down Lighting Schematics
  • Shot List Templates
  • Side by Side Comparisons 


Module 1 — 3-Point Lighting Basics

  • Key Light: The Basics
  • Fill Light: The Basics 
  • Top Light: Where, When, and Why

Module 2 — Bounce Light Basics

  • Bounce Light: Circle Bounce vs Square
  • Bounce Light: DIY Solutions w/ Bounce Light
  • Bounce Light: White Foam Core
  • Bounce Light: Bead Board
  • Bounce Light: Ultra Bounce
  • Bounce Light: Bleached Muslin
  • Bounce Light: Black & White Griffolyn
  • Bounce Light: Black & White Showcard
  • Bounce Light: Soft Silver – Rosco Scrim
  • Bounce Light: Soft Silver – Rosco SS Flex
  • Bounce Light: Soft Silver – Silver Lamaé
  • Bounce Light: Soft Silver- Soft Silver Showcard
  • Bounce Light: Hard Silver Showcard
  • Bounce Light: Hard Silver Showcard Ricochet
  • Bounce Light: Hard and Soft Silver Reflector Board
  • Bounce Light: Gold Rosco Flex SS
  • Bounce Light: Gold Soft Showcard
  • Bounce Light: Gold Hard Showcard
  • Bounce Light: Gold Reflector Board
  • Bounce Light: Matching Practical Light With Colored Bounce Sources: Unbleached Muslin
  • Bounce Light: Matching Practical Light With Colored Bounce Sources: Butcher Paper
  • Bounce Light: Matching Practical Light With Colored Bounce Sources: Silver & Gold Lamaé

Module 3 — Shaping Light Basics

  • C-Stands: Etiquette and Shaping Light Basics
  • C-Stands: Etiquette and Shaping Light Basics: Flag Set Etiquette
  • C-Stands: Etiquette and Shaping Light Basics:4 x 4 Floppy
  • C-Stands: Etiquette and Shaping Light Basics: Setting a Beadboard Bounce
  • Shaping and Controlling Light
  • Shaping Light and Shadow
  • Shaping Light and Shadow: Nailing the Close Up
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