The lesson in Chapter 3 provides insight into the existing types of lighting and how they are best employed in the art. It delineates the similarities and differences between Rembrandt, cameo, flat, and silhouette lighting (Zettl, 2013). Through showcasing their main features, this chapter allows the reader to understand how these lighting styles can be used for dramatic effect in photography, painting, and film. It is evident that this lesson is fundamental for any person who would like to comprehend art or create it.
As an example of silhouette photography, I have chosen “A Prisoner of the Past” by Matt Nelson. Shot in 2014, the photograph underlines its message of being burdened by one’s past very cleverly (Nelson, 2014). The silhouette of rails looking like prison bars underscores the author’s intention. Due to the lack of detail and the unobstructed silhouette lighting, the viewer can witness the anguish of the photography’s subject. Therefore, I have chosen this picture due to its employment of the silhouette technique.
A strong example of a flat-lighting photograph is “Contact Lens, New York” by Irving Penn. In this piece, the viewer is encouraged to inquire into the perhaps uncomfortable but intriguing process of putting a contact lens into one’s eye (Penn, 1981). Flat lighting is beneficial for still-life photographs, as it allows one to take in details without being distracted by shadows. Thus, I have chosen this picture due to the fact that it is a stunning instance of flat lighting.
For Rembrandt lighting, a memorable example is the painting “The Milkmaid.” In this painting by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, a milkmaid is seen pouring milk into a bowl. The use of light and shadow in the painting is renowned for being adept. Owing to the use of Rembrandt lighting, the maid’s face is half illuminated and partially in shadow, which provides a dramatic effect (Vermeer, 1660). I have chosen it as it is a stunning tribute to Rembrandt lighting’s ability to infuse depth, drama, and emotion into a piece of art.
Finally, “The Entombment of Christ” is a famous example of chiaroscuro lighting in art. It is a 1603 artwork created by Italian Baroque painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Caravaggio, 1603). The painting shows the burial of Jesus Christ in a tragic and grievous time. Personally, I felt compelled to choose it as the dramatic chiaroscuro lighting and stark contrasts between light and dark in the artwork produce a potent feeling of depth and emotion.
References
Caravaggio, M. M. (1603). The entombment of Christ [painting]. Pinacoteca Vaticana, Vatican City, Vatican.
Nelson, M. (2014). A prisoner of the past [Photograph]. Flickr. Web.
Penn, I. (1981). Contact lens, New York [Photograph]. Art Institute Chicago. Web.
Vermeer, J. (1660). The milkmaid [painting]. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Web.
Zettl, H. (2013). Sight, sound, motion: Applied media aesthetics. Cengage Learning.