DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT
Lighting in cinematography is much more than just a technique; it’s a means of telling stories and evoking emotions. Rembrandt lighting, with its characteristic triangle of light, embodies the balance between shadow and light, symbolizing the dualities of human existence. This technique reminds us that beauty also resides in imperfections and shadowy areas that reveal the complexity of reality.
Rembrandt Van Rijn, much like Caravaggio, is one of the pioneers of chiaroscuro.
A Universal Duality
Unlike the perfect lighting in advertisements, which aims to enhance and seduce, Rembrandt lighting offers a more authentic approach, highlighting vulnerability. This tension between shadow and light reflects our inner struggles and contradictions. It invites us to reflect on the balance between these two forces in our lives.
A face mostly in shadow with a triangle of shadow can evoke sadness.
In cinematography, this duality enriches the emotional and intellectual intensity of works, inviting introspection and understanding the complexities of existence. Great works do not just present a truth; they push for exploration and questioning.
A face half in shadow, half in light, with a triangle of light on the opposite cheek, suggests a balance leaning toward light.
An Idealized Story
As for commercial photography, perfect lighting immediately captures attention, accentuating the allure of products. Although it creates an ideal aesthetic, this approach is not without value, as it inspires and conveys emotions of desire and aspiration.
A face bathed in light with little shadow reduces the depth and relief of the portrait, making it antiseptic.
Art, like writing, is a way of reflecting, questioning, and discovering one’s deep values. For example, when we take photos or watch films, we seek that contrast, that realism. Although entertainment is also part of our choices, we always prefer a film that allows us to grow.
The weather and ambient lighting have a significant impact on emotions. Additionally, each person has a more flattering or feminine profile than the other.
A Quest for Meaning
A photograph is a condensed story that evokes emotions or feelings. These feelings can be comforting, inspiring, or simply lead to questions. Who is this person? What is this photo trying to express? What emotion does it awaken in me? Is it a positive feeling? What is the story behind this character?
A simple reflection of the sun can evoke a sense of warmth and automatically reduce the dramatic aspect of a photograph. Seeing both eyes also helps establish a stronger connection with the subject.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the artist who sells dreams creates an escape, while the one who encourages reflection invites us to confront reality, often uncomfortable but necessary. Both are complementary: one nourishes the imagination, the other opens the eyes.
Thus, while a commercial project focuses on the transaction and immediate impact, a narrative project explores more subtle and lasting realities, encouraging introspection and long-term engagement. These two types of projects, though distinct, each play an important role, but with fundamentally different approaches and objectives.
The key lies in the ability to blend a dual narrative to balance both approaches: artistic authenticity and commercial accessibility. This involves weaving narrative and stylistic threads that satisfy both the need for philosophical depth and the desire to capture a broad audience.