Highlights
- The Rings of Power fans complain about dim lighting in Season 2.
- The show’s use of naturalistic lighting in caves and night scenes causes visibility issues.
- Viewers compare the darkness to The Lord of the Rings films, which had better lighting in dark scenes.
- Modern filmmaking using digital cameras may be contributing to the poor lighting.
- The lighting might be a creative choice to give the show a more realistic feel.
The latest season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has sparked frustration among viewers over its literal darkness.
Fans are expressing concerns that many scenes are too dim, making it difficult to see what’s happening.
This lighting choice, particularly in Season 2, has left fans adjusting their screens just to follow the story.
What’s the Cause?
Fans of The Rings of Power have taken to social media to discuss how challenging it is to see characters and action in many scenes.
Much of Season 2 takes place in dark settings like caves or outdoor locations at night, where the only light source is often a torch.
This problem seems to be worse for viewers using HDR settings, which sometimes causes colors and lighting to appear even dimmer than intended.
Many fans have compared this lighting issue to scenes in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, where dark moments like the Battle of Helm’s Deep were still easy to watch because of better lighting, even during night scenes.
Why Is The Rings of Power So Dark?
The trend of dark lighting isn’t unique to The Rings of Power. Other popular shows like Game of Thrones also faced criticism for using dim lighting, especially during intense battles, such as the infamous episode “The Long Night.”
While no official explanation has been given by The Rings of Power creators, it’s likely that the dim lighting is an intentional creative choice.
Filmmakers today often pursue a more naturalistic look, relying on minimal lighting to make scenes feel real. However, this style can frustrate viewers who struggle to see the action.
Another factor contributing to the darkness could be the switch from shooting on film, as was done in The Lord of the Rings films, to digital filming.
Film has a better dynamic range, meaning it captures more light and detail, while digital filming can sometimes make scenes appear darker or less detailed.
Is This an Issue With Production?
The lighting issues in The Rings of Power could also come down to how the scenes were shot or edited.
Balancing lighting correctly depends on the skill of the crew, as well as the quality of the equipment used.
Some viewers might need to adjust their TV settings to enhance brightness, but this shouldn’t be necessary for a big-budget show like this.
New episodes of The Rings of Power Season 2 are released on Amazon Prime Video every Thursday at 3 a.m. ET / Midnight PT. However, many fans are hoping that the lighting in future episodes will be improved for better viewing.
