Set aside time each day or week to learn film lighting. While this may seem obvious, one of the most difficult aspects of learning a craft is ensuring that you devote enough time to learning the basics, so that you can eventually master the craft. Simply blocking out time in a planner can increase your commitment and motivation. Additionally, if you have a friend or an acquaintance who is also learning the craft, working together can help you set aside time and learn techniques faster.
Learn the basics. An understanding of exposure, f-stops, color temperature and three-point lighting are essential. Standard techniques can be learned through books, websites and tutorial videos. Gain a basic technical understanding of how film captures light and how to setup basic lighting schemes.
Observe how light and shadow fall in natural surroundings. Look for the sun's position in the sky and see how it affects shadows, skin-tones, flora and fauna. Study how lighting techniques are used commercially to light products and affect the perception of their quality. Notice how high-end stores light their merchandise and note the location of the lights in relation to the products. Watch films and study paintings to observe how other artists have used lighting techniques to create tone and mood.
Take courses in film or photographic lighting. Although there are some key differences, the lighting techniques for film and still photography are nearly identical. Many four year colleges and universities offer programs in film or photography. Additionally, many community colleges and trade schools offer courses that can be completed without signing up for a degree program.
Purchase a camera, basic light kit and light meter, and then experiment with a variety of effects and techniques. Once you have a grasp of the essentials, it is important to build practical knowledge through hands-on experience. Try setting up variations of three-point lighting using test subjects or objects. Test to see the differences between hard and soft lighting, as well as how colored gels and different exposures affect the final image.
Find a mentor who is willing to take you on as an apprentice. A mentor can be a working professional, a teacher or even a film student. It is important that the person take a vested interest in your progress and that you communicate well with each other. However, before trying to find a mentor, it is important that you have already invested time and learned the basic techniques. It is reasonable for a potential mentor to expect that you have a basic understanding of lighting before they invest time to teach you advanced techniques.