Lighting and atmosphere
Specify light direction, quality, and color temperature so mood is controllable instead of accidental.
When to use
Cinematic, product, or editorial looks where lighting carries the emotion.
How to apply
Name key light (soft/hard, angle), fill vs contrast, and one atmosphere cue (haze, neon spill, golden hour).
Glossary
- key light
- The main light on the subject — soft/hard, direction, and angle.
- fill
- Secondary light that softens shadows; contrast rises when fill is low.
- atmosphere cue
- One environmental mood signal (haze, neon spill, golden hour) that sells the scene.