Seeing Like a Cinematographer:
Lighting That Shapes Emotion

Cinematographers don’t just light a space, they choreograph emotion, guide attention, and shape meaning through light. Every frame of a film is a lesson in how illumination tells a story, directs behavior, and transforms perception. This workshop invites lighting professionals to step onto the film set and see light the way a director of photography does. Through vivid examples from iconic movie scenes, participants will explore cinematic techniques that unlock fresh ways of thinking about their own work, discovering how light can move beyond function to inspire, persuade, and captivate.

Learning Objectives

• Identify cinematic lighting techniques that influence perception and emotional response in film
• Apply film-based lighting strategies to reframe everyday consumer lighting challenges with fresh creative approaches
• Analyze how cinematic principles of light can enhance user experience, mood, and engagement in built environments
• Demonstrate communication of design intent using cinematic vocabulary to inspire new thinking in lighting practice