lighting in movement

While searching the t'internet about the links between paintings and film lighting, I stumbled across an article from the film industry network here. It's an interesting read where it talks about Cinematography (literary translated as 'lighting in movement')


The main focus of my interest laid with this quote.


The Influence of Rembrandt : For cinematographer like me, as well as generations of art lovers, Rembrandt is the acknowledged master of light and shadow. His chiaroscuro technique has influenced some of the most important light-cameramen in cinema history. In her study of the relationship between painting and the cinema, ‘Moving Pictures’, Rajiv Jain argues that without the paintings of the 17th century Dutch master, many of the masterpieces of the cinema would not have been possible.

I had discussed in our seminars the influence of Caravaggio's high contrast painting style between light and dark and it seems that there are other influences  as well. I thought id look into a few Rembrandt paintings.

Obvious attention has been paid to light sources and shadow but I still prefer Caravaggio and seeing as he was around before Rembrandt, Caravaggio wins. 


Looking into the role of Cinematographer, or Director or photography, does seem like a modern day painter, so many things to think about. They shape the whole look, feel and mood of the film using colour and lighting.

I had to leave this post and sleep on it for a while as I ran out of things to write about and didn't just want to re-hash bits of the article. All I can expand on is that lighting is not an area I have really given much consideration to, which I see now was a short coming on my part. I have always thought that even now where digital manipulation and special effects are mainstream, it would be foolish to forget that sometimes its the things that you cant see, that are only hinted at and left for our imaginations to fill in the blanks are important. Use of light of what you reveal to the viewer is very important and a device that horror movies have used for years.