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About this quote

What does it mean?
The interest of lighting lies in its effect on the scene, not just the source itself.
In plain terms
Show how light changes things rather than just showing the light bulb.
What can you take from it?
Focus on the mood light creates.

Where it applies

  • cinematography
  • interior design
  • photography

Putting it to work

  • Study shadows
  • Highlight effects
  • Hide sources

Questions to consider

  • What mood does the light create?
  • Are you showing the source or the impact?

Another view

Sometimes knowing the source is important for technical accuracy.

More from Edgar Degas

  1. Make people's portraits in familiar and typical attitudes.

    Permalink to quote #36
  2. Be sure to give the same expression to a person's face that you give to his body.

    Permalink to quote #38
  3. You must do over the same subject ten times, a hundred times. In art nothing must appear accidental, even a movement.

    Permalink to quote #35

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