Practical Light
A light source visible in the frame, like a lamp, candle, neon sign or screen. The audience sees where the light comes from, so the scene feels real. That source may actually light the person, or it may only be seen while hidden film lights do the real work.
How it feels
- Lived-in
- Atmosphere
- Realism
- Coziness
- Night
When to use it
- A room at night with a desk lamp on
- A candlelit dinner
- An interrogation room with a single bare bulb hanging
- A train station under sodium lamps
In the movies
Barry Lyndon 1975
The candlelit scenes were shot with only the candles in frame, no other artificial light. To do it, the production used an f/0.7 lens adapted from a still lens made for NASA.
Not to be confused with
- Motivated Lighting
- A practical is the visible light source itself; motivated lighting is hidden film lighting made to look like it comes from that source.
- Neon Lighting
- If a neon sign is visible in frame, that sign is a practical too.
- Key Light
- A key light is the main light on a person from outside the frame. With a practical, the light itself is visible in frame.
Prompt
practical lamp
A warm practical table lamp in frame is the only visible light source, lighting the face from the side. The light falls off quickly into darkness.
Try these combinations
Close-up + practical: a single desk lamp
Close-up, illuminated by a single brass table lamp visible in frame, dark room, warm light
Practical + low-key: a swinging bare bulb
Interrogation room, a single bare bulb swings casting moving shadows, low-key lighting