Experimenting with Lighting

Film noir is all about low-key lighting, creating shadow. Lighting is expressionistic, creating mystery for the audience. To prepare for my OTS (opening title sequence), i decided to experiment with lighting angles and creating shadow across the face of a character.
Creating shadow all depends on the position of the person, and the position/angles of the light source. I used a simple bed lamp and used black paper to concentrate the light, and in the first image i used a small umbrella and bounce the light (so the light isn't so focused on the figure), this can give diffuse the light more evenly or create a certain texture/softness to the light rather than the harsh light created when the light is focused.

Image One: In this image, the light source is positioned at the bottom of the frame, pointed upwards. This way the bottom half of the face is bathed in light creating shadow around prominent facial features. If my character (OTS) was to use a mobile phone etc then this technique would be useful in lighting the face and creating mystery and shadow.

Image Two: In this image, the light is positioned behind the figure, this contrasts the foreground of the figure to the light source behind, and creates a brightened outline around the figure. As i am having a pursuit in my OTS this could be useful to show a figure approaching and creating (again) mystery and suspense, useful if i don't want to reveal the character's face clearly, instantly. By creating this silhouette, it creates tension - typical in Film Noir films.

Image Three: In this image, the light is to the left of the figure, this way the left hand side of the face is lit - casting shadow across the right, unlit side of the face. This brings definition to the facial features and note that the right hand side of the face is only visible by outline.

Image Four: In this image, the light is positioned above the figure, creating heavy shadow over the face and making the face difficult to distinguish. This could be very useful in my OTS when my figure is positioned under a street lamp etc as it again shadows the character's face, making them difficult to see clearly, and creates tension for the audience.

I am planning on used both the overhead lighting and the light source positioned below the face in my Opening Title Sequence - as they both create mystery and define the face, this i plan to use of my "victim", this way the audience can recognise facial expressions of worry and terror with ease, while the silhouette created by positioning the light behind i feel would be very effective to use on my femme fatale - this way the feminine silhouette would be highlighted and her face would also be shadowed to create more tension.

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