Cinematography workshop helps local creatives master lighting

The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) held its second cinematography workshop at Mahogany Bay Village from September 6th through the 8th. The three-day training ran from 3PM to 6PM each day and brought together local photographers and videographers looking to strengthen their film and production skills. Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Bruce Finn led the workshop.
The training focused on advanced cinematography and production techniques, with special attention given to lighting. Participants studied outdoor natural-lighting methods and indoor lighting techniques. The sessions combined classroom instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, allowing attendees to apply each concept while working with cameras, lights, and grip equipment.
On the first day, Finn introduced the theory behind lighting choices, including the angle, height, intensity, quality, and distance of a light source. Participants learned how hard and soft lighting create different types of shadows, and how diffusion materials, bounce boards, and other tools can soften light.
The workshop also covered light meters, grip equipment, and the basic principles of three-point lighting. This technique uses a key light to illuminate the subject, a fill light to control contrast, and a backlight to separate the subject from the background. Finn also emphasized safety as the most important principle on a film set.
During the second and third days, participants took part in practical indoor and outdoor exercises around the pool area at Mahogany Bay. They used each other as models while applying the techniques to both photography and video production.
The photographers and videographers said they enjoyed the workshop and learned a great deal about lighting techniques. Through demonstrations and practical exercises, they explored how lighting can affect a subject’s appearance, mood, and separation from the background.
Finn explained that a flattering key light is generally soft, reaches both eyes, and sits at about a 45-degree angle. He also discussed the professional use of LED lights, diffusion materials, flags, bounce cards, stands, and light meters.
The workshop was designed to support the development of local creative talent and improve the quality of visual productions in San Pedro. Finn said he hopes to return in a few months to provide additional training. A follow-up workshop could build on the participants’ new skills and offer further instruction in cinematography, interviews, portraiture, and production techniques.