This is for a scene from a play called Dead Man's Cell Phone. I think the lighting really helps establishes a looming mood because of the shadow "standing" over the woman. I think how small all of the other shadows are help make it more daunting. The use of a lot of darkness helps add to the scariness of the scene. I also think the only light that lights the stage is the light going over the woman who is otherwise surrounded by darkness aside from the back wall.
This photo is from the Bacchae and I think it captures the power and the mysteriousness of Dionysus (the character in the photo). The way there is some light on the actor and a more defined light on the flowers focuses the audience's attention towards the flowers. The way there is not very much light, makes the use of the light more effective, as well as emphasize the mysteriousness of Dionysus.
I never would've thought about using a shadow to establish a mood, so the first photo is a new favorite. I think the size of the man's shadow compared to the woman's body creates a power dynamic. Therefore, you can sense the woman's fear and despair in this scene.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THE SHADOWS! It makes it feel so dramatic like someone or something is looming over her! In the second photo the golden light on the flowers is so nice and clean feeling on the very blank background it is a nice contrast to the grey.
ReplyDeleteThe huge shadow in the first image is so powerful. It truly shows how small and powerless the character is in that moment! Along with the shadow on the floor, looking slightly like a prison cell, it is easy to feel the fear the woman is in that moment.
ReplyDeleteThe first photo really nails a unique way to express mood through shadows. I probably would not think of shadows as a way to enhance or establish a mood, but this definitely changed my mind.
ReplyDeleteI like how the second photo is able to create the mood for this scene using what seems to be about three lights. One for the overhead of the flowers, one on Dionysus, and one for the background. I also do like how the background light is enhancing the mood by creating what seems to be like a fog or dark stormy cloud.
I love the way shadow is used in the first image to emphasize scale. The actor seems so small in comparison, it creates a huge sense of vulnerability and insecurity. There's a sense of reflection created by the dim side lighting, creating a very dramatic tone. The second image does a great job of emulating reflection as well. The isolated pool of light on the flowers creates a bittersweet mood, complimented by the darker lighting on the rest of the stage.
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