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LOTR Cinematography: Lighting Techniques Explained

Filip Nerold

Filip Nerold

New Member
I am very curious about your opinions and thoughs on lighting in LOTR trilogy. I have made this video-essay, where I am focusing on conceptual lighting techniques and how it tells information, pushing narrative and impact audience. I would like to have a discussion about this, if you are interested! You can watch here:


Thank you and looking forward to your thoughts!
 
I will say that back in 2003, I made fun of the lighting in Shelob's lair, which was SO bright compared to the scene it was conveying - you're in a cave, with no source of light (prior to the phial coming out), why can we see everything so clearly? Where is all this light coming from?

...and then I later watched scenes in other shows where everything was soooo dark, you couldn't tell what was happening. At which point I was like, oh. I don't actually want realistic lighting on camera. I do want to be able to see things! Carry on with filming night scenes during the day with the windows blacked out.
 
MithLuin said:
I will say that back in 2003, I made fun of the lighting in Shelob's lair, which was SO bright compared to the scene it was conveying - you're in a cave, with no source of light (prior to the phial coming out), why can we see everything so clearly? Where is all this light coming from?

...and then I later watched scenes in other shows where everything was soooo dark, you couldn't tell what was happening. At which point I was like, oh. I don't actually want realistic lighting on camera. I do want to be able to see things! Carry on with filming night scenes during the day with the windows blacked out.
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I am convinced that lighting and cinematography in these films were innovative. Working with light like that, in a very stylized way, comes from the books. Throughout the films many elements of light are enhanced - Birthday of Bilbo with very strong moon light, Ressurection of Gandalf or his arrival with Éomer where he literalyl brings light with him. And many more scenes. In the lair of Shelob, the light I think is purely for enhancing the darkness (there is no darkness without light and no light without darkness). And those webs pops out really nicely. Frodo is lit, so we feel that darkness around strongly.

Every artist has own style how to portrait things. I like colors and contrast, so LOTR is perfect match for me 😀
 
Rob Harding said:
When asked by Sean Austin where the lighting in Cirith Ungol came from, cinematographer Andrew Lesnie iconically answered ‘the same place as the music.’ And I’m all here for it.
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Yes, heard this one in documentaries 😀 I watched them few years ago, so I should do it again😎
 
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