Shooting day for night at DVinfo.net

Dave Findley · March 12th, 2006, 07:41 AM

Tried to search for this, got too many hits, so if there's a thread already, point me. If I underexpose to shoot day for night, am I going to end up with a bunch of noise? Is there some technique for doing this in video or is there a filter that makes it possible? Thanks.

Dan Keaton · March 12th, 2006, 08:46 AM

There may be much better ways, but this is what we have done successfully.

First we used a light yellow poster board to white balance the camera. This should give you an overall blue cast, which looks like bright moonlight.
You should experiment with different shades of color, if possible.

Then, using a good video monitor, or your color viewfinder, record the scene. Adjust your camera settings (mainly aperature) to get the look that you desire. Just be sure that you get the level of detail that you want.

Of course, you can adjust your video in post.

I recommend that you experiment to achieve the best results.

I do assume that there are better techniques, this is just what worked well for our project.

Lorinda Norton · March 12th, 2006, 09:32 AM

Hi Dave,
You're right; the search parameters seem to have broadened quite a bit! Here's a thread where Rob Lohman did the searching for us way back when:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...t+day+night%22

Have a good time with it. It's actually kind of fun (whatever you do, remember to keep the skyline out of the shot!).

Dave Findley · March 12th, 2006, 10:40 AM

thanks folks, appreciate it.

Jeff McElroy · March 12th, 2006, 01:35 PM

You know, I recently learned that the opening sequence of Jaws was filmed day for night. This is an interesting concept!

March 12th, 2006, 07:41 AM	#1
Dave Findley Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nashville Posts: 39	Shooting day for night Tried to search for this, got too many hits, so if there's a thread already, point me. If I underexpose to shoot day for night, am I going to end up with a bunch of noise? Is there some technique for doing this in video or is there a filter that makes it possible? Thanks.

March 12th, 2006, 08:46 AM	#2
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	There may be much better ways, but this is what we have done successfully. First we used a light yellow poster board to white balance the camera. This should give you an overall blue cast, which looks like bright moonlight. You should experiment with different shades of color, if possible. Then, using a good video monitor, or your color viewfinder, record the scene. Adjust your camera settings (mainly aperature) to get the look that you desire. Just be sure that you get the level of detail that you want. Of course, you can adjust your video in post. I recommend that you experiment to achieve the best results. I do assume that there are better techniques, this is just what worked well for our project. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

March 12th, 2006, 09:32 AM	#3
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Hi Dave, You're right; the search parameters seem to have broadened quite a bit! Here's a thread where Rob Lohman did the searching for us way back when: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...t+day+night%22 Have a good time with it. It's actually kind of fun (whatever you do, remember to keep the skyline out of the shot!). __________________ Lorinda

March 12th, 2006, 10:40 AM	#4
Dave Findley Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nashville Posts: 39	thanks folks, appreciate it.

March 12th, 2006, 01:35 PM	#5
Jeff McElroy Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 91	You know, I recently learned that the opening sequence of Jaws was filmed day for night. This is an interesting concept!