Simultaneous use of multiple light sources with different Color Temperatures within a single scene.
Technical Details
In mixed lighting, light sources with a color temperature difference of at least 1000K meet. Standard combinations include tungsten spots (3200K) with daylight through windows (5600K) or HMI lamps (5600K) with practical lamps (2700K). Exposure is measured separately for each color temperature using a colorimeter. Modern LED panels allow stepless color temperature adjustment between 2700K and 6500K while maintaining consistent light output. Color Temperature Orange (CTO) and Color Temperature Blue (CTB) filters correct color temperature differences in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and full increments.
History & Development
The first documented mixed lighting shots were made in 1935 for "Becky Sharp" by cinematographer Ray Rennahan. Technicolor developed special exposure tables for its three-strip process. In the 1970s, the ASC (American Society of Cinematographers) standardized mixed lighting workflows for 16mm and 35mm film. The introduction of digital cameras from 2000 onwards revolutionized the technique through real-time white balance and post-production color correction. RED Cameras introduced RAW recording in 2007, enabling subsequent color temperature adjustments without loss of quality.
Practical Application in Film
Roger Deakins used mixed lighting from fluorescent tubes (4100K) and sodium-vapor lamps (2100K) in "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) for cyberpunk-aesthetic contrasts. Emmanuel Lubezki combined natural candlelight (1900K) with daylight (5600K) in "The Revenant" (2015) for authentic interior scenes. Modern workflows use LUT preview monitors for real-time display of the final color grading. Mixed lighting reduces setup times as existing light sources are integrated. Disadvantages include more complex exposure measurement and potential color casts in skin tones.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to uniform color temperature, mixed lighting offers more natural light distribution and spatial depth. Single-source lighting requires complete shielding of external light sources using blackouts or diffusion gels. Since 2016, ARRI SkyPanels and Litepanels Gemini have enabled RGB mixed lighting with programmable color gradients. Virtual Production Stages use LED walls (6500K) combined with practical set lighting (3200K). The choice between mixed lighting and uniform lighting depends on the desired visual language, budget, and spatial conditions.