{"id":42,"date":"2021-12-15T14:11:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T14:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/?p=42"},"modified":"2022-06-08T06:24:16","modified_gmt":"2022-06-08T06:24:16","slug":"key-lighting-setup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/blog\/key-lighting-setup\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Key Lighting: What It Is and How to Use It in Your Lighting Setups"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you start learning about artificial light, it can feel incredibly daunting. There are different types of light, which can be used in different lighting setups. They have\u00a0different temperatures<\/a>\u00a0and can be modified in countless ways. Lighting can be as intricate and complicated as you can dream it to be. But when you break it down to its components, lighting doesn’t have to be overwhelming. So let’s begin at the beginning: what’s your key light, and how do you use it?<\/p>\n

What is the key light?<\/h2>\n

The key light is the main light in your setup. It’s key to the scene if you like. Your key light is the foundation upon which your entire lighting design is based: it illuminates your main subject, sets the tone for the scene and gives it shape. It doesn’t matter if you are constructing a\u00a0YouTube lighting setup<\/a>\u00a0or a scene from a blockbuster movie: every light is added on and built around the\u00a0key light<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A key light can be almost any type of light: it can be a softbox or the sun. You could use a candle or a\u00a0Fresnel light<\/a>. Whatever the source, if it’s the main one, it’s the key light. They can be set at varying angles.\u00a0Light modifiers<\/a>\u00a0can be used with key lights, and you can color them however you wish. Key lighting can be hard or soft. You might want a high key or a low key lighting setup. If your scene involves movement, your key lighting might have to move with it. Whatever you use, however you use it, your main light is your key light.<\/p>\n\t\t

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What’s the difference between key light and fill light?<\/h2>\n

While you can use just one light in a video, you will often find that your key light creates shadows that need lifting. The light you use for this is your fill light: it literally fills in the shadows. When it comes to key light vs. fill light, your fill light will be less intense than your key light, maybe by about 50%. The fill light is there as a supporting act for the key light; it isn’t the star of the show.<\/p>\n

The fill light is often situated at the same angle from the camera as the key light but on the opposite side. So if the key light position is 45\u00ba camera right, the fill light is 45\u00ba camera left. But it isn’t always the case. Most importantly, you place your fill light to complement the light from your key light. And it doesn’t have to be a light, either. For example, a fill light can come from a reflector or bounce card.<\/p>\n