Lighting Seminar 1

Display Schedule

Code Completion Credits Range Language Instruction Semester
304CLSE1 credit 1 3 hours (45 min) of instruction per week, -2 to 3 hours of self-study English winter

Subject guarantor

Klaus FUXJÄGER

Name of lecturer(s)

Klaus FUXJÄGER

Department

Předmět zajišťuje Department of Cinematography

Contents

Function of using the light for shooting:

  1. Light as a basic technical prerequisite for the creation of an optical image.
  2. Light from the point of view of information about the properties of objects of scenic reality, their texture and reflectivity.
  3. Light as a means of artistic stylization of optical representation.
  4. Continuity

Light:

From the cameraman's point of view, light and its exposure effect can be evaluated from three aspects:

  1. Quality

a) quality given by its spectral composition,

b) quality given by the nature of the light source (spot, diffuse).

  1. Direction

a) promoting or suppressing the perception of displayed space

b) promoting or denying the perception of the actual shapes and volumes of displayed objects.

  1. Intensity

a) the intensity of a single source and the modification of its distances

b) composition of intensities of several sources: main, supplementary and auxiliary light.

Practical exponometry:

  1. Analysis of scene lighting conditions by measuring with a luxmeter
  2. Analysis of scene lighting in terms of its brightness structure - point exponometry

Light sources and luminaires:

  1. Means to change the spectral composition of light from artificial sources
  2. Means to change the nature of light sources (diffusers, grids).
  3. Regulation of the nature of the beam of emitted flux rays - convergence vs. Divergence

Basic lighting concepts:

Surface reflectance factor (reflectance), exposure effect, exposure lighting, light ratio

Methodology of stage lighting construction:

  1. Style of imitated primary light reality
  2. Style of professional convention - deflection from the strict logic of lighting
  3. Lighting to support the meaning of gestures within given dramaturgy, including the creative application of both aesthetic values and the nature of unusualness

practical exercises:

A.“light and face” - stills in studio b/w

basic concepts of lighting, framing and composition; light ratios. 3point lighting; light as dramatic tool; interaction of object and background

B.„Portrait at the Window“ - B / W photos on negative 5222; relationship exterior / interior. Intentional over- / underexposure. (semi-) silhouette

Learning outcomes

The course is designed to acquaint with the theory and practice of lighting in film and television. The starting point of the study is the knowledge and analysis of daylight and non- daylight situations given by natural sources. The course continues by getting acquainted with the properties of lighting means in terms of their usability to imitate natural and artificial sources.

Teaching is accompanied by demonstrations of lighting constructions both in real environments and in studio with objects of basic importance (human face, figure).

Special attention is paid to lighting linked with the properties of recording media, thus introducing practical exponometry.

Prerequisites and other requirements

Knowledge of culture of visual imaging in historical context.

Physics and especially optics at the appropriate secondary school level

Basic experience as a cameraman, ability to handle basic film tasks

Digital and analog camera with all manual functions

Luxmeter and spotmeter

Literature

american cinematographer’s manual

Sven Nykvist, “Reverence for the light” 1997

D. Schaefer and L. Salvato, “Masters of light” 1984

F. Truffaut, “le cinema selon Hitchcock” 1966

K. Malkiewicz, “film lighting” 1986

D. Samuelson, “motion picture, camera and lighting equipment” 1980

Evaluation methods and criteria

Active participation in the workshop, presence 80%, punctuality, quality of practical exercises are prerequisites for granting the evaluation.

Schedule for winter semester 2024/2025:

06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
room 230
Room No. 230
(Lažanský palác)
FUXJÄGER K.
16:30–18:55
(lecture parallel1)
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Date Day Time Tutor Location Notes No. of paralel
Mon 16:30–18:55 Klaus FUXJÄGER Room No. 230
Lažanský palác		 lecture parallel1

Schedule for summer semester 2024/2025:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans