Painting with Light: What Makes a Great Gaffer on Set

Posted on: Nov 18, 2025

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto: mynouns

By Jessica Mathis

Most people understand that film is a collaborative art, but probably less understand that one of the most important people in the collaboration is someone uncelebrated by the audience: the gaffer.

The gaffer is the key lighting technician on a film set, which means they lead the lighting team, and blend leadership with creative and technical skills. Their work sets the tone of the film, creating the light the camera captures. If a director brings a writer’s work to life, and the director of photography brings the director’s vision to life, the gaffer is the next person in line, bringing the director of photography’s lighting vision to life.

Key Insights

A gaffer translates the director of photography’s vision into light, blending artistic intuition with technical expertise to define the emotional tone of a film.
Great gaffers understand not just how to light a scene, but how light feels, using color, intensity, and texture to shape story and mood.
Leadership, adaptability, and communication are as essential as lighting skills—successful gaffers guide teams, anticipate production needs, and stay calm under pressure.

Understanding Lighting

Gaffers control lighting, but they don’t just make the lights bright or make sure certain things are highlighted on screen. They have to understand what the light feels like. They have to understand how to create isolation, intimacy or a high-alert vibe. They need to understand color temperature and theory, and how it impacts both the camera and the human mind. They should understand storytelling, and the best may turn a light to create a glimmer in someone’s eyes as they confess, or highlight someone in the background being left behind.

They may sometimes start with a reference image from the director of photography. From there, they go to work painting a scene with light to evoke the desired contours of light and emotional impact. A comedic moment or film will be lit completely differently than a true crime or drama.

Collaborating

Gaffers may be there to bring a pre-decided vision to life, but they need to bring their own vision to the table, deciding how to do that. Part of being able to do that successfully means being a good communicator, both listening to the director and being able to communicate exactly what they need to be successful.

They also have to be self-motivated and observant. They need to listen carefully to what the director and director of photography are looking for in a color palette, mood or tone, but they also need to be able to shift subtly and quickly when they notice a last-minute camera change. A good gaffer pays attention and moves in sync with the production, leaving the director of photography to focus on the camera work.

They must respect production design, working around art and other set factors. They need to be able to read people and cues, and determine the best way to achieve their own design quickly.

Leading a Team

The gaffer doesn’t work alone. They lead a team of grips, electricians and riggers. They need to be able to think two steps ahead of where the production currently is, and convey that information to their team so that preparation is underway for the next set up.

They should be able to gauge how much time is required for each set up, and lead their team to meeting those needs. The best keep an even temper and create a safe working and emotional environment for their team. They should be able to tell when a director is anxious or uncertain about approving something, or when one of their team members is burning out, so they can adjust their plans.

Adapting

Film sets are chaotic places. Schedules shift, ideas change, resources dwindle. Like most department heads, the gaffer must be able to shift with the production, and problem solve quickly and efficiently. When you can’t hang a ceiling rig, a good gaffer will think about ways to create the same effect by bouncing smaller lights. Staying adaptable comes from staying educated on some of the latest tools, gear and resources available.

Considering Budget

Gaffers are artists, but like any successful artist, they have to consider budget. They may know some of the latest and greatest options or beautiful and complicated setups, but professionals know that time and electricity both cost money. A good gaffer thinks about and works with the most cost-efficient options for quick setups that utilize as little power as possible.They understand that every set up or move of light costs time, which adds up quickly within the budget. They’ll work with the line producer to identify exactly what is needed, and the best places to rent or acquire the packages.

These are just a few ways someone can stand out as a gaffer on a film set, but the number-one thing that will make someone stand out is their passion. Gaffing can be a thankless or uncelebrated job, so the focus must be the enjoyment of creating magic with lighting that looks natural and organic, though intentional. Someone passionate about the art of painting with light will find their passion driving through these other elements, knowing they created the beauty on screen, frame by frame.

Key Takeaways

The best gaffers are storytellers who use light to evoke emotion, enhance performances, and support the narrative visually.
Emotional intelligence and collaboration make a gaffer indispensable, allowing them to balance creative vision with on-set realities.
Passion for the craft—creating cinematic magic that looks effortless—is what truly distinguishes a standout gaffer.

Jessica Mathis (AKA Divinity Rose) is an award winning screenwriter/performer/producer from Louisville, Kentucky. She is the CEO of She Dreams Content Development and Production, which focuses on female forward projects in comedy, docustyle and genre entertainment.

Browse thousands of jobs and find your next gig! Sign up or login to Staff Me Up and get on-set today!

You may also like: