Lighting basics
Key, fill, rim, practicals, ratio, and color — then how to write them into Imagine packets and DoP cards without drifting shot to shot.
Three-point map
Mental model before stylized neon / candle looks
Key
main shape
Fill
shadows
Rim
edge
Practicals live in the set (lamps, neon, candle)
Key light
The main light that shapes the face and subject.
Key is your primary motivated source — the sun, a window, a neon sign, a candle. Its direction sets cheekbone shadow, nose shadow, and where the eye catchlight sits. Soft key wraps; hard key carves.
Rule
Name one key direction per sequence and keep it unless time-of-day changes on purpose.
Studio tip
Put key direction in the DoP card (e.g. “teal rim camera-right”).
Common setups
Recipes you can copy into a DoP card or Prompt lab lighting field.
Classic three-point
Clear, readable, controlled
Key
45° front-side soft or hard
Fill
Opposite side, lower intensity
Rim
Back edge separation
Practicals
—
Ratio
~2:1 to 4:1
Color
Usually matched temps
Use when
Interviews, clean character stills, baseline coverage
DoP hint
Default teaching setup before stylized looks
Cheat sheet
Copy into notes or chat
LIGHTING CHEAT (Studio Academy) 1. Key — main motivated source & direction 2. Fill — shadow depth (or negative fill) 3. Rim — separate subject from bg 4. Practicals — in-world lights that justify color 5. Ratio — lock mood (2:1 gentle · 4:1 drama · 8:1 noir) 6. Quality — hard vs soft (size relative to subject) 7. Color — warm/cool strategy once per sequence 8. Prompt — subject → env → lighting → lens → mood 9. Continuity — recap key side + practical state on extends DoP card inherits all of the above.