key light

noun

1. (in photography or motion pictures) the main light that illuminates the subject being photographed or filmed.

key light

noun

1. television theatre photog the main stage or studio light that gives the required overall intensity of illumination

Word History and Origins

Origin of key light¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

If you’re darker-skinned, make sure your key light is positioned properly.

From Los Angeles Times

I think her team wouldn’t let her shoot unless they had a key light on her, so they had to jigger this key light.

From Los Angeles Times

The 21-year-old from Manchester works in the lighting department, providing the key light for artists and presenters on the stage.

From BBC

As a result, in “Armageddon Time,” the actors are almost never filmed in their key light.

From Los Angeles Times

Inside, it features Intel’s Core i7-12700H processor and Nvidia’s RTX 3070. $1,599 at Walmart The Key Light Mini can screw into a tripod or stick to a magnetic surface.

From The Verge