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WPI Technical Theatre Handbook: Lighting Angle
 
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Lighting Angle

Figure 5.23: Computer rendering showing the effect of lighting an actor from several different angles. From left to right, top to bottom: from front overhead (low angle), from rear overhead (high angle), from side, from front below actor, from directly overhead.
\begin{figure}\psfig{file=lighting/bob.eps,width=5in}\end{figure}

Another variable that lighting designers have control over is lighting angle. Depending on how a person is lit, different features of the person's body and face are accentuated. This can be used effectively to make a character look sinister, mysterious, or larger than life. Lighting that hides the face (back lighting) tends to make people more nervous and less trusting of a character. Floor lighting and downlighting can both make a character look larger than life, while side lighting can make a character look mysterious. These techniques are effective only if used sparingly. If overused, they become the norm to the audience, and thus lose their effectiveness.



Steve Richardson 2000-07-06

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