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-   -   Lights ann z1 for a doc on monday .... (https://www.dvinfo.net/forum/documentary-techniques/144773-lights-ann-z1-doc-monday.html)

Marcus Martell February 27th, 2009 04:29 PM

Lights ann z1 for a doc on monday ....
 
On monday il'll shoot a doc scene (interview) with my z1 in a room very dark in a old castle.....
I know that i'll find 1 ianiro light (500w);maybe i'll bring with me a few papers of transparent cook paper(i don't know how to write in english) as spunglass.....
How do u suggest to set the light for the interview?I mean with the light pointing in the face of the interviewed guy or how?
What if i had 2 ianiro lights?
Thx in advance

Chris Swanberg February 28th, 2009 12:53 AM

Set one light up in front of the subject 45 degrees off to one side and 45 degrees up. Fill in the dark side of the face with a reflector using spill light from the first light we just discussed. If you can, set up the other light behind and above the subject, and either using a snoot or some foil to make one, direct the light to the hair and shoulders. If you can dim the one behind from 500 watts to about half that it should be fine. That's my simple advice. If you can soften the front key light so much the better.

Marcus Martell February 28th, 2009 06:54 AM

Thank u Chris;if i had another light(a total of 3 lights) i could put one at 45 degrees right from the camera(the key one), the second at 45 degrees left of the camera(the fill light); and the third at the back of the interviewer pointing the shouldes of the guy right?
This is the 3 point light trick right?
Sorry my friend: what's"snoot or some foil "?
Sorry if i don't understand all the english words....

Mike Barber March 1st, 2009 01:38 AM

Google is your friend "-)
 
The Standard 3-Point Lighting Technique | DIYPhotography.net
Three Point Lighting Tutorial
Three-point lighting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

These are all in english, but should help.

Vasco Dones March 1st, 2009 09:30 AM

My favorite "el cheapo & lightweight" solution:
one light set up as Chris says. Period.
It works extremely well for a truly dramatic effect
(except when your talent is a Beauty Queen unwilling to show
her skin imperfections),
and I think it might fit your "old castle" environment.

I use a Lowel ProLight
(Lowel | Pro Pack One Light Kit (120-240VAC/12-30VDC) | P2-102
it's focusable, and its barndoors are "expandable"
(or "compressable") so that you can very precisely focus your light onto the talent,
leaving a wonderful dark background...

For extra drama, you might add a small "emergency light"
(I usually carry with me this little Bescor:
Bescor | VS-65 AC/DC On Camera Light | VS65 | B&H Photo Video
outfitted with a 100W lamp)
focused at a small, interesting detail in the background
(a few stones of the castle walls, a fireplace, you pick it...)

It doesn't get any cheaper and easier...

Vasco -
always working solo,
hence convinced that three-point-lighting is wonderful
for real crews (2 people or more)...

Mike Barber March 1st, 2009 08:39 PM

by the way, sounds like an interesting shoot. Mind the audio in those old echo chambers that are castles! ;-)

good luck!

Chris Swanberg March 1st, 2009 10:26 PM

If you elect to use one light, that reflector fill on the other side is very important, and also it helps for most subjects if it is soft. You will need to get that reflector as close to the subject as your framing will allow too.


Vasco... a "snoot" is like a cylinder or cone that carefullyconcentrates the light on a small area... avoids light spill and emphasizes one certain feature or close together features, like the back and side of a head, for example.

Vasco Dones March 2nd, 2009 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Swanberg (Post 1020702)
Vasco... a "snoot" is like a cylinder or cone that carefullyconcentrates the light on a small area... avoids light spill and emphasizes one certain feature or close together features, like the back and side of a head, for example.

Chris,
... a "snoot", that's what it is! Thanks again.
Being a foreigner, this is exactly the kind of info I badly need.
It will prevent me from walking into B&H's store and pathetically ask for
"some sort of light-funnel, mmmh..., you see what I mean?"
:-)

A "snoot"... a "snoot"... a "snoot"... How long will I remember this thing?

Best

Vasco


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