ABSTRACT
Aesthetics are the nuances that create individuality and raise technically “sufficient” imagery to something special, something that draws the viewer in. They are the “seasonings” that bring out the flavor of a dish without overpowering it or disguising its underlying essence. Each genre of presentation has its own recognizable visual style associated with it, and lighting plays a huge part in establishing this. The lighting for a play, concert, interview, corporate meeting, or political debate will start with the basic common denominators of good design, and then will begin to assume its unique visual personality. The television lighting designer must incorporate those traits into a plan that works for the camera but still establishes the style. Only when the designer has mastered this blending of technical requirements with the distinctiveness of the specific presentation can creative expression begin. Stretching the norms, blurring the lines, and crossing the boundaries work best when norms, lines, and boundaries are thoroughly understood as a baseline from which to develop. This chapter compares performance types and their associated styles, and reviews the techniques that comprise the art and science of lighting for broadcast and streaming.
