Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Lighting quality, direction & contrast · Core

Key light

Also called: key

ELI5

The principal light shaping the subject and establishing the main lighting direction.

Used in conversation

“Let’s test the key light before we lock the camera and lighting setup.”

Pitch context

This term helps a treatment describe how the camera or light will shape the viewer's experience.

Why it matters: Explains what the image should look like and how it can be framed, captured and lit.

Sources & evidence · 8

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.