Four-Point Lighting:

The purpose of four-point lighting is to create the illusion of a three-dimensional subject

in a two dimensional image; manipulating light and shadow.

The three points of light are:

1. The Key Light This is the main light used on your subject.
2. The Fill Light This is used to fill in the shadows created by the key light;
preventing the image from being too dark.
3. The Back Light This is used to separate the subject from the background.
4. The Background Light This is used to draw attention to the background and
eliminate shadows.

KEY LIGHT:
Place the key light first, as the rest of the lights usually support the key light.
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Short Lighting:

When trying to create a standard look, follow this rule of thumb: whichever way the
subject is facing in the frame put the key light on that side of the camera.
Common placement for the key light is about 45 degrees to either side of the camera,
and about 45 degrees up from the subject.
Incidentally, this style of lighting is called short lighting because if you divide the
subjects face in half with an imaginary line, this kind of lighting illuminates the short side
of the face, leaving the broad side of the subjects face (the side of the face closest to the
camera) in shadow.
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Side Lighting:

Put the key light off to one side of the subject, nearly straight out to one side, and
illuminate only half of their face.
This type of lighting is used in films to symbolically represent the conflict a character is
feeling.
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High-Angle Lighting:

The key light is positioned above the subjects head, pointing down toward the subject.
This placement creates deep shadows in their eye sockets creating an undesirable or
sinister look, as it bares semblance to a skull.
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Low-Angle Lighting:

The key light is positioned below the subject, pointing up toward the subject. This casts
shadows in the opposite direction were accustomed to. This creates an unsettling image
for the viewer. The technique is similar to shining a torch up toward your face while
telling a scary story.
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Silhouette Lighting:

The key light is positioned behind the subject, placing the entire subject in a shadow;
commonly known as a silhouette. This is used to create a dramatic image, to keep the
subject anonymous or to de-emphasise the subject for whatever reason.
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Flat Video Lighting:

Four-Point Lighting:
The key light is placed directly above the camera, pointing subject. This style appears to
widen the face and fills the shadows caused by wrinkles. This is the least dramatic style
of lighting.

FILL LIGHT:
When you use key light and nothing else, you might find that the image is too dramatic
and portraying too much contrast. The purpose of the fill light is to fill in the shadows
caused by the key light. However, the fill light should not create a second shadow; if you
see two shadows that means the fill light is too powerful and should be reduced.
There are numerous ways to reduce light. Some lights can be dimmed (LEDs and
fluorescent lights) without changing the colour or temperature of the light. Some bulbs
can also be removed or replaced by less powerful bulbs; however you then have to wait
for it to cool off. Its usually faster to move the light away from the subject or to put a
diffusion material, such as a scrim, on the light source.
Scrims are designed to reduce the light without softening it. You can also use neutral
density gels to reduce light. These gels are transparent grey sheets that you can put over
the light to reduce the light without changing its colour.
Instead of a fill light you can also use reflectors and white foam core boards to reflect
light from you key light and reduce shadow darkness.

Back Light:
How to create a backlight Place the light behind your subject, usually suspended on the
end of a horizontal arm attached to a C-stand or a sturdy light stand. You place the light
above their head and behind them so it points about 45 degrees down toward their hair
and back.
Barn doors are necessary for backlight as they prevent light from accidentally spraying
into the camera lens. This can reduce the contrast in your image and maybe even create
lens flare. The only place you want this light in on the head, neck and shoulders of the
subject (for a talking head shot). Barns doors remove the problem of spill light.

Background Light:
The background light eliminates shadows cast by actors or foreground objects, draws
additional attention to the background elements, and will add more depth to the subject.
The background light removes the possibility of your subject blending into the
background.

Natural Three-Point Lighting:

When the sun is roughly at a 45 degree angle in the sky, find an open location and
position your subject with their back to the sun. This is the back light. For your key light
use a reflector. Natural sunlight will work as your fill light.