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FilmSkool — a free film school

Lighting The Same Scene For Day AND Night

A side-by-side demonstration lighting one location first for a daytime look and then for a convincing nighttime look. Clarifies exactly what changes — and what doesn't — between the two setups.

Brady Bessette · 10 min · Intermediate · LGT · Lighting · 2018

What you take away

Night lighting isn't 'day lighting minus brightness' — it's a different key angle, color temperature, and contrast ratio entirely.

Watch it

Filed under

Films to study for light

Books on lighting

Kit for this lesson

NiSi True Color CPL — Takes the glare off water and glass without a colour cast
NiSi Swift VND 1-5 stop — Screw-in variable ND that does not cross-polarise at the ends
NiSi True Color 1-5 stop VND — Variable ND that does not turn faces green
PolarPro Mist Edition VND — Diffusion and ND in one piece of glass
Aputure Light Dome III — The softbox most Bowens fixtures wear
Aputure Lantern 90 — Soft from every direction — ambience in one piece

More Lighting

Advanced Documentary Interview Lighting - Step by Step — Mark Bone · 25m · Advanced
Filmmaking Lighting Masterclass: Xenon Light | Shane Hurlbut, ASC — Filmmakers Academy · 18m · Advanced
How to Light a Night Scene with Shane Hurlbut ASC [Part 1: Setting Up Your Key Light] — Filmmakers Academy · 15m · Intermediate
How To Light a Night Scene with Shane Hurlbut ASC - Part 3: Lighting Secrets — Filmmakers Academy · 13m · Advanced
How to Light a Night Scene with Shane Hurlbut ASC [Part 2: Matching Urban Light] — Filmmakers Academy · 14m · Intermediate
Film Lighting Techniques that will Boost Your Cinematography with Shane Hurlbut, ASC — Filmmakers Academy · 16m · Intermediate
Lighting & Filming Darker Skin Tones with ARRI Signature Primes — B&H Photo Video Pro Audio · 12m · Intermediate
The Easy Way to Not Suck at Lighting — Luc Forsyth · 31m · Intermediate
How to Light a Cinematic Scene with Only Natural Light — Filmmakers Academy · 11m · Intermediate
Hollywood VS Indie Filmmaking (With Shane Hurlbut, ASC) — Brady Bessette · 19m · Intermediate
Lighting for Film: The Complete Beginner's Guide — Luc Ung · 27m · Beginner
Diffusing Can Lights | Cinematography Tips with Shane Hurlbut ASC — Filmmakers Academy · 9m · Intermediate

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