One of the most important aspects of any type of photography is lighting. If possible, the best option is natural light, but if this is not available then artificial lighting will be required to capture the best images. Traditionally, video and film makers use a three-point system for lighting scenes (usually indoors):
Three Light Sources:
Key light: This is the main light source. It shines directly on the subject, usually from the front right or front left, and it establishes the overall look and feel of the shot.
Fill light: The fill light provides balance to the key light by "filling in" the rest of the subject’s face with softer light. It should be positioned to the side that’s opposite the key light.
Back light: The back light creates a flattering rim of light around the subject, separating him or her from the background. Sometimes the back light is called a rim light.
How to set up three-point lighting:
Place subject approximately 5 feet away from backdrop to prevent shadows.
Start in the dark. Begin with all your lights off, and as little other ambient light as possible. This will help you differentiate among the three lights you’ll be turning on.
Turn on your key light. Your key light is the brightest light in the scene and the one that creates the overall feel of the shot. Adjust its brightness to your liking. We recommend angling the key light about 30 degrees the right or the left of the subject. You also should position the key light in a relatively high spot to reduce shadows on the face.
Add your fill light. The fill light should be on the opposite side of the key light, but still in front of the subject. Don’t make the key and fill lights symmetrical — the fill should be at the subject’s face level, and should get rid of any remaining shadows. The intensity of the fill light should be about half that of the key light.
Bring in the back light. Finally, the back light separates your subject from the background. It can be placed anywhere behind the subject, but make sure to keep it out of the shot! You'll want to angle it down from a high position to achieve a sharp outline on the edge of the subject.