Shooting on cloudy/rainy days, how can I get the best picture? at DVinfo.net

Matthew J Campbell · March 22nd, 2006, 03:20 AM

I'm doing a small behind the scenes for building a mountain bike trail for a director of mountain bike movies. It's going to be light rain and cloudy tomorrow.

What can I do to get the best colours and picture in those types of conditions? Just open the Iris more without overexposing?

I'm using a DVX100A.

Thanks!

Shane Ross · March 22nd, 2006, 03:48 AM

Just shoot normal. Expose properly for the given conditions.

To tell you the truth, cloudy and overcast days are best for shooting outdoors. No harsh sunlight or hard shadows. The entire sky is a diffuser that spreads the light evenly.

I much prefer cloudy days to full on sunlight and blue sky.

Doug Boze · March 22nd, 2006, 05:09 PM

You may wish to use a graduated ND filter to reveal detail in the skies while increasing information in the landscape. ND 0.6 or ND 0.9, even ND 1.2 under extreme conditions. Fix you white balance at 5600K or even preset using a white card, which might warm things a bit (given that overcast days have a much higher color temperature than sunlit days). Everything else as you like to have it.

Hope this helps!

Bennis Hahn · March 22nd, 2006, 08:26 PM

I would most definately WB to a card. I find that my footage comes out sort of drab on overcast days if I leave the WB at 5.6K.

March 22nd, 2006, 03:20 AM	#1
Matthew J Campbell New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 5	Shooting on cloudy/rainy days, how can I get the best picture? I'm doing a small behind the scenes for building a mountain bike trail for a director of mountain bike movies. It's going to be light rain and cloudy tomorrow. What can I do to get the best colours and picture in those types of conditions? Just open the Iris more without overexposing? I'm using a DVX100A. Thanks!

March 22nd, 2006, 05:09 PM	#3
Doug Boze Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 218	You may wish to use a graduated ND filter to reveal detail in the skies while increasing information in the landscape. ND 0.6 or ND 0.9, even ND 1.2 under extreme conditions. Fix you white balance at 5600K or even preset using a white card, which might warm things a bit (given that overcast days have a much higher color temperature than sunlit days). Everything else as you like to have it. Hope this helps! __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

March 22nd, 2006, 03:48 AM	#2
Shane Ross Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 539	Just shoot normal. Expose properly for the given conditions. To tell you the truth, cloudy and overcast days are best for shooting outdoors. No harsh sunlight or hard shadows. The entire sky is a diffuser that spreads the light evenly. I much prefer cloudy days to full on sunlight and blue sky.

March 22nd, 2006, 08:26 PM	#4
Bennis Hahn Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 221	I would most definately WB to a card. I find that my footage comes out sort of drab on overcast days if I leave the WB at 5.6K.