Lighting is a crucial aspect of any film production—underpinning the foundation of a film’s aesthetic. Even before I was caught up in the world of filmmaking, I was fascinated by light. This keen interest in light and shadow has informed all of my artistic endeavors, from traditional drawing to photography to image manipulation and, of course, to  filmmaking. The power of light to alter the meaning of an image has always influenced my image-making and has made me a better cinematographer and gaffer.

 

I am of the mindset that lighting is just as important as the function of the camera itself. I spend as much time, if not more, on the light set up as I do on camera movement and composition to ensure a balanced harmony in the scene that I am interpreting. Even on productions where I am not in control of the lights, such as at scheduled events, I always identify opportunities to make the lighting play in my favor. capturing the gleam of a spotlight on a waxed, wooden floor dramatically highlights the subjects of a dance that I am documenting.

 

In filmmaking, every element should work in tandem with the others, whether it be the lights and camera, the set and the actors, or the various departments of a film crew. My focus and passion for lighting is equally matched by my attentiveness to my fellow crew members’ needs and desires. The crew takes priority over any shot, and my flexibility, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving skills allow me to ensure the health and happiness of my collaborators while we serve the needs of the film we are making and creating something beautiful. After all, cameras and lights don’t make a film, people do, so we all need to be in a positive position to be effective.