Porn 101- Lesson 1 Lighting

The concept of light continuity is trying to make all the lighting look the same for each take in the same scene. So as to make the final product look as seamless as possible. This is a key factor in deciding good porn from bad porn. In good porn when the camera goes in for that close up pussy shot the lighting looks the same as it did when a full body long shot or “dialogue shot” is being viewed. Bad porn uses a big bright spotlight and the money shot ends up looking unnatural and in many cases washed out. When filming with real film you can not turn on a normal house light and film with that. Average house lights give off an orange glow on film. Also florescent lights give off a green glow, and tanning beds give off a blue glow on film. One of the hardest jobs on a film set is that of the gaffer. And to have to light small enclosed spaces is a credit to not only the gaffer for lighting the area and making it look natural, but the director and DP for their talented eye and desire for a realistic look. Oh and I guess you have to give some credit to the actors for putting up with hot lights pointed at their wahoos, and no nos. An great example of light continuity is Kirdy Stevens film, “Playing with Fire.” (1983) The scene where April ( Karen Summer) tries to seduce her stepfather Danny (Randy West). April is sitting on the bed with Danny and she starts to talk about how boys only want one thing from her and she wont sleep with then, but after she gets home she finds herself all hot and wet… anyway the lighting is dim (because they are supposed to be in the bedroom just talking) and the scene starts off with a medium shot of April sitting on the bed. It cuts to a Close up on Danny looking at April and noticing that she has open her legs and revealed that she wasn’t wearing any underwear. The close up shot of her panty-less crotch maintains the same lighting level at the rest of the scene while all the time still allowing the intended private parts to be seen fully. Kirdy Stevens is a master of his craft. With amazing choreography he is one of the best porn directors ever. Check out some of his other films I suggest the Taboo series (although I have only seen and have Taboo I,II,III) but if I know Stevens’ work Taboo IV- VII should be equally as good.