The Use of Natural and Artificial Light on Character Modelling and Character Relationships, Taking Days of Heaven and Whisper as Examples

Research Article
Open access

The Use of Natural and Artificial Light on Character Modelling and Character Relationships, Taking Days of Heaven and Whisper as Examples

Zhanyi Zhao 1*
  • 1 School of Theater, Film and Television, Communication University of China, No. 1 Dingfuzhuang East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China, 100024.    
  • *corresponding author 2019302060263@cuc.edu.cn
CHR Vol.3
ISSN (Print): 2753-7072
ISSN (Online): 2753-7064
ISBN (Print): 978-1-915371-29-4
ISBN (Online): 978-1-915371-30-0

Abstract

Light plays a very important role in film and television, especially in terms of its impact on character shaping and relationship construction. This paper uses light as a starting point to analyse the effect of natural and artificial light on the portrayal of the characters taking the films Days of Heaven and Whiplash as examples, respectively. Furthermore, it compares the similarities and differences between natural light and artificial light in character modelling and proposes some suggestions on light modelling for practical shooting. The most important role of both natural and artificial light is to illuminate people. As natural light is scattered, it is mostly used as a base to restore a realistic and natural state of life. However, regarding natural light, special moments such as magical hours can be used to create a warm and ambiguous atmosphere. It is also possible to make use of existing shades to create rich light effects. Artificial light is very controllable and can be adjusted in terms of direction, colour temperature, softness, and texture to give different visual effects. The same person can be portrayed in different ways under different lighting.

Keywords:

natural light, artificial light, film studies, characterisation, character relationship

Zhao,Z. (2023). The Use of Natural and Artificial Light on Character Modelling and Character Relationships, Taking Days of Heaven and Whisper as Examples. Communications in Humanities Research,3,513-519.
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References

[1]. Li, Y., “Analysis of the Role of Stage Lighting in Shaping the Image of a Character”, Art Science and Technology 30(08) (2017) 111.

[2]. Song, T., “The magical production of natural light effects - one of the studies of Almendros's photographic style”, Contemporary Cinema (6) (2002) 70-76.

[3]. Li, L., Wang, R., “Follow Nature’s Course: Light Creation Theory of Néstor Almendros”, Contemporary Cinema (5) (2020) 134-138.

[4]. Chazelle, D., director. Whiplash. Bold Films, Blumhouse Productions, Right of Way Films, 2014. 1 hr., 46 min. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

[5]. Malick, T., director. Days of Heaven. Paramount Pictures, 1978. 1 hr., 34 min. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077405/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

[6]. Schaefer, D., Salvato, L., Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers. University of California Press, 2013.

[7]. Zhang, Y., “European Cinematographers and the Transformation of the Image in the New Hollywood”, Journal of Beijing Film Academy (06) (2010) 78-83.

[8]. Arnheim, R., Film as Art. University of California Press, 1957.

[9]. Yang, R., The Visual Psychology of the Image. China Film Press, 2013.

[10]. Barnbaum, B., The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression. Rocky Nook Press, 2010.

Cite this article

Zhao,Z. (2023). The Use of Natural and Artificial Light on Character Modelling and Character Relationships, Taking Days of Heaven and Whisper as Examples. Communications in Humanities Research,3,513-519.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies (ICIHCS 2022), Part 1

ISBN：978-1-915371-29-4(Print) / 978-1-915371-30-0(Online)
Editor：Faraz Ali Bughio, David T. Mitchell
Conference website: https://www.icihcs.org/
Conference date: 18 December 2022
Series: Communications in Humanities Research
Volume number: Vol.3
ISSN：2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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References

[1]. Li, Y., “Analysis of the Role of Stage Lighting in Shaping the Image of a Character”, Art Science and Technology 30(08) (2017) 111.

[2]. Song, T., “The magical production of natural light effects - one of the studies of Almendros's photographic style”, Contemporary Cinema (6) (2002) 70-76.

[3]. Li, L., Wang, R., “Follow Nature’s Course: Light Creation Theory of Néstor Almendros”, Contemporary Cinema (5) (2020) 134-138.

[4]. Chazelle, D., director. Whiplash. Bold Films, Blumhouse Productions, Right of Way Films, 2014. 1 hr., 46 min. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

[5]. Malick, T., director. Days of Heaven. Paramount Pictures, 1978. 1 hr., 34 min. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077405/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

[6]. Schaefer, D., Salvato, L., Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers. University of California Press, 2013.

[7]. Zhang, Y., “European Cinematographers and the Transformation of the Image in the New Hollywood”, Journal of Beijing Film Academy (06) (2010) 78-83.

[8]. Arnheim, R., Film as Art. University of California Press, 1957.

[9]. Yang, R., The Visual Psychology of the Image. China Film Press, 2013.

[10]. Barnbaum, B., The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression. Rocky Nook Press, 2010.

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