Three Point Lighting setup explained

Published on
Written byAndrew Clouden
Illustrated scene from The Hobbit

What is Three Point Lighting Setup?

Most cinematographers learn about the 3-point lighting setup early on in their careers. That’s not surprising, as it’s one of the most fundamental and widely used lighting setups in film.

Let’s break it down.

Three point lighting consists of three main light sources: a key light, a fill light, and a back light (also known as a rim light or hair light). Each of these lights serves a specific purpose in shaping the look and feel of a scene.

Definition of Three Point Lighting

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Purpose

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Use cases

Interviews

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Product shots

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Three Point Lighting: diagram

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Three Point Lighting: examples