3-point lighting:

1) Key light: The strongest, main source of light that defines the shape and surface of the subject matter, but other supplementary lights are also necessary.

2) Back light: Placed behind the object seen from the camera, brings out the object from the background, adding a separate layer for the object.

3) Fill light: Soft source of light, used to bring up the shadow area created from the key light.

Lighting creates the mood for the scene.

Lighting night scenes: No key light; background mostly left unlit; typically use bluish lighting on objects to add the feeling of nighttime. Shouldn't be too bright but still bright enough to make objects visible.

Lighting interior (vs. lighting objects): Take existing light (e.g. fluorescent light, sunlight from windows, etc.) and augment it; other sources of lights such as candle lights or neon signs also used depending on the scene.

Creating personality of a character by lighting: E.g. for evil characters, lighting from below is frequently used, making features of the face stand out more, such as face lines, muscles and bones.