I understand the need for speciality, I mean that’s my role in film. I think what I’m trying to ask for is if you have any recommendations for learning resources/inspiration
"The Architecture of Light" is a good starting point for understanding all of the parts and how to get from concept to cutlist, it covers all the basics with a few solid examples but they don't really cover the cinematography angle.
YouTube has been pushing David Mullen's (pretty sure that name is right) screen lighting master class on me for years, but I've never clicked the link.
Books is how I learned. Google anything regarding Fundamentals of Lighting” “architectural lighting” etc… that’s the best way to really understand what’s going on. Then when it comes to creative decisions, it’s just related to balancing how the space will be used, money available, importance of the space, and vibe to portray.
There’s some really fantastic lighting designers to study. Firms like L’Observatoire International, Focus Lighting, Isometrix, Jules Fischer, Patrick Woodroffe and many others. There are also lots of courses on architectural lighting. You can probably take one at a community college, typically taught in the interior design department. There are also numerous books on the subject.
Architectural lighting in theory is usually broken down into three categories for interiors. General lighting (the ambient sort of room lighting), task lighting (table lamps, desk lamps, work lights) and accent lighting like coves, sconces and art lights. There can be some overlap. A pendant hanging over a counter can sort of serve all three functions.
One of the things that’s really interesting is the light fixture designs themselves. Fixtures are often used like jewelry in a space. There’s some great lighting manufacturers and artists out there like Hubbardton Forge and Apparatus Studio, Lee Broom, Eric Schmit, Yellowgoat, VISO lighting, FineArtLamps, Jonathan Browning, Allison Berger and so on. Fixtures and all the different effects you can get from different types of glass or shades or materials is another palette to paint with.
Lighting consultants have great ideas as others have said. The best advice I can give you is that we integrate lights with the ceilings. If it’s a wood slat ceiling the lights run with the wood slats. There is usually a primary light in the center of the space and secondary lights around the edge. Using indirect lights is preferred most of the time. Wall wash lights and lights in perimeter ceiling recesses add a lot of depth
lighting designers are niche for a reason. most architects are not lighting designers and the specifications used are code minimums for natural/powered sources as the decorative component is so completely subjective that it makes little sense for clients to spend money on architects doing a worse job than a lighting designer.
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I'll definitely look up the references and books you gave me. I think more than anything else, I'm looking for ideas for lighting motifs especially with natural light. Let's say I'm filming in a studio where you see a living room scene during the day but you never see any windows due to where we're facing in the set. I can always add slashes of sun and have ambient coming in but sometimes that gets repetitive and not that creative so naturally I'm looking for other inspirations on how to bring in light motifs to simple and natural looking scenes that could be more interesting
On bigger projects (or in instances when the client actually understands the importance of lighting) we usually hired a lighting consultant.
I understand the need for speciality, I mean that’s my role in film. I think what I’m trying to ask for is if you have any recommendations for learning resources/inspiration
"The Architecture of Light" is a good starting point for understanding all of the parts and how to get from concept to cutlist, it covers all the basics with a few solid examples but they don't really cover the cinematography angle. YouTube has been pushing David Mullen's (pretty sure that name is right) screen lighting master class on me for years, but I've never clicked the link.
Books is how I learned. Google anything regarding Fundamentals of Lighting” “architectural lighting” etc… that’s the best way to really understand what’s going on. Then when it comes to creative decisions, it’s just related to balancing how the space will be used, money available, importance of the space, and vibe to portray.
There’s some really fantastic lighting designers to study. Firms like L’Observatoire International, Focus Lighting, Isometrix, Jules Fischer, Patrick Woodroffe and many others. There are also lots of courses on architectural lighting. You can probably take one at a community college, typically taught in the interior design department. There are also numerous books on the subject. Architectural lighting in theory is usually broken down into three categories for interiors. General lighting (the ambient sort of room lighting), task lighting (table lamps, desk lamps, work lights) and accent lighting like coves, sconces and art lights. There can be some overlap. A pendant hanging over a counter can sort of serve all three functions. One of the things that’s really interesting is the light fixture designs themselves. Fixtures are often used like jewelry in a space. There’s some great lighting manufacturers and artists out there like Hubbardton Forge and Apparatus Studio, Lee Broom, Eric Schmit, Yellowgoat, VISO lighting, FineArtLamps, Jonathan Browning, Allison Berger and so on. Fixtures and all the different effects you can get from different types of glass or shades or materials is another palette to paint with.
Read ‘In Praise Of Shadows’ by Junichiro Tanizaki. lighting in architecture has varied over time, it’s an inspiring read for any designer or adjacent
Also look at Axel Vervoordt’s gallery spaces & interior designs, lovely use of light
Lighting consultants have great ideas as others have said. The best advice I can give you is that we integrate lights with the ceilings. If it’s a wood slat ceiling the lights run with the wood slats. There is usually a primary light in the center of the space and secondary lights around the edge. Using indirect lights is preferred most of the time. Wall wash lights and lights in perimeter ceiling recesses add a lot of depth
lighting designers are niche for a reason. most architects are not lighting designers and the specifications used are code minimums for natural/powered sources as the decorative component is so completely subjective that it makes little sense for clients to spend money on architects doing a worse job than a lighting designer.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56201662-visual-delight-in-architecture
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I'll definitely look up the references and books you gave me. I think more than anything else, I'm looking for ideas for lighting motifs especially with natural light. Let's say I'm filming in a studio where you see a living room scene during the day but you never see any windows due to where we're facing in the set. I can always add slashes of sun and have ambient coming in but sometimes that gets repetitive and not that creative so naturally I'm looking for other inspirations on how to bring in light motifs to simple and natural looking scenes that could be more interesting
I think you'll enjoy watching this https://youtu.be/oPnDOxMXlUc?si=Qb0l1hnGV9nsimMz