How many does it take to change a light bulb?

I have an interest in Lighting Design so I care to inform you .

These notes have been collected from a handy book called 'Stage Lighting Design - A Practical Guide' by Neil Fraser.  I must buy this for the next semester.

A lighting designer must be able to describe the effect of the light source, where it is coming from and what impact it has upon a performance and scene. It is important to explain why you like the light in a particular way.

Questions you should ask yourself when observing a light source upon an object;

• How many light sources are there?
• What part of the object is the most brightly lit
• Where does the shadows fall?
• Does the light on any object help it to blend in or stand out from the things around it? 
• Do you like way the light looks and why?
• Could you move the photographer's viewpoint and feel the light would be more effective?

Lighting designers carry 'real life references in their heads to create a scene to appear more realistic, they have looked and understood in which way light works to illuminate different situations.  This sells dramatic messages using the light within a performance.

In reference to lighting the face, the questions that you have to ask are;

• What colour is the light?, describe it 
• Can you draw an arrow from outside the picture indicating the light source(s)?
• Is there more than one light source? indicate the brightest light
• Does the Light create any interesting effect? 
• Is the background to the face important? - is it lit darker or lighter?
• Does it help the figure to stand out or blend in?

Lighting designers need an understanding of colour to create a mood that goes with setting the scene.