Bright sun: How to deal with at DVinfo.net

George Loch · July 19th, 2003, 02:11 PM

So, how do you deal wit doing interviews in bright sunlight, at around 3pm in the afternoon? I know it's a terrible time but, it does happen (last friday to me). So, I want to be prepared.

I shot it with a VX2K and had a polarizer on and the ND1 engaged. I treid adjust ing image but, what I ended up with was a face that exposed ok but washed sky and back ground in spots. I am thing of just bring a reflector next time and letting the contrast stick and bring the shadows out of the face with the reflector. I am jsut not sure if that will be enough to equal the contrast from harsh sun.

Thoughts?

GL

K. Forman · July 19th, 2003, 02:58 PM

Some people have use a net, and hung it like a tarp to filter out the sun a bit.

Andrew Petrie · July 20th, 2003, 09:29 AM

Photoflex Litedisc (aka a diffusion disc). The translucent one is what you're looking for. Or you can go el-cheapo and get a white bristolboard to bounce the light to eliminate the sharp shadow contrast

http://www.photoflex.com/photoflex/index.html

George Loch · July 21st, 2003, 10:23 AM

Thanks for the input. I am definitely looking to get diffusion setup. I am thinking that I will do this combined with some foam core for bounced fill. I have another shoot coming up this week that will be the same type of scenario.

GL

Jacques Mersereau · July 21st, 2003, 11:17 AM

Although it is not possible to dictate what times interviews like these
take place, early morning and late afternoon light will help out tremendously,
especially if you are using bounce boards and reflectors.

I've also seen "shoots" set up under those EZ-up white tents.
The white material acts a diffuser, BUT because your
sun light is knocked down several stops,
backgrounds will still appear blown out unless you light the subject . . .
which you should to get best results.

Richard Veil · August 6th, 2003, 01:21 AM

A photoflex light disk is.. in my humble opinion.. to dense being almost two stops. Most discs are.. A chimera panel kit has a 1 stop fabric that is perfect for bright sun. It also has interchangeable reflector fabric. The frame is light weight aluminum and mounts directly into a griphead which makes it really nice.
Try backlighting your subject and reflecting light back toward them with a reflector panel or bounce card.
Strength and honor
If you were to buy a fold up reflector I would look at Flexfill or lastolight and get a 1 stop trans. Chimera has a good instruction tape by Dean Collins you can buy also.
Strength and honor
Richard

John Threat · August 7th, 2003, 07:03 AM

Also, if possible, don't be afraid to ask your subject to move. If the sun is start to set or rise behind the subject, ask them to turn around and face the sun to avoid being backlit, or perpendicular to it for nice fall off. (Key and backlight! + reflector -> fill!)

July 19th, 2003, 02:11 PM	#1
George Loch Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: . Posts: 105	Bright sun: How to deal with So, how do you deal wit doing interviews in bright sunlight, at around 3pm in the afternoon? I know it's a terrible time but, it does happen (last friday to me). So, I want to be prepared. I shot it with a VX2K and had a polarizer on and the ND1 engaged. I treid adjust ing image but, what I ended up with was a face that exposed ok but washed sky and back ground in spots. I am thing of just bring a reflector next time and letting the contrast stick and bring the shadows out of the face with the reflector. I am jsut not sure if that will be enough to equal the contrast from harsh sun. Thoughts? GL __________________ http://www.motoxpress.com

July 20th, 2003, 09:29 AM	#3
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	Photoflex Litedisc (aka a diffusion disc). The translucent one is what you're looking for. Or you can go el-cheapo and get a white bristolboard to bounce the light to eliminate the sharp shadow contrast http://www.photoflex.com/photoflex/index.html __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

July 21st, 2003, 10:23 AM	#4
George Loch Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: . Posts: 105	Thanks for the input. I am definitely looking to get diffusion setup. I am thinking that I will do this combined with some foam core for bounced fill. I have another shoot coming up this week that will be the same type of scenario. GL __________________ http://www.motoxpress.com

July 21st, 2003, 11:17 AM	#5
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Although it is not possible to dictate what times interviews like these take place, early morning and late afternoon light will help out tremendously, especially if you are using bounce boards and reflectors. I've also seen "shoots" set up under those EZ-up white tents. The white material acts a diffuser, BUT because your sun light is knocked down several stops, backgrounds will still appear blown out unless you light the subject . . . which you should to get best results. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

August 6th, 2003, 01:21 AM	#6
Richard Veil Chimera Lighting Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Santa Cruz CA Posts: 293	Get a Chimera Panel frame kit.. A photoflex light disk is.. in my humble opinion.. to dense being almost two stops. Most discs are.. A chimera panel kit has a 1 stop fabric that is perfect for bright sun. It also has interchangeable reflector fabric. The frame is light weight aluminum and mounts directly into a griphead which makes it really nice. Try backlighting your subject and reflecting light back toward them with a reflector panel or bounce card. Strength and honor If you were to buy a fold up reflector I would look at Flexfill or lastolight and get a 1 stop trans. Chimera has a good instruction tape by Dean Collins you can buy also. Strength and honor Richard __________________ Strength and Honor RLV

July 19th, 2003, 02:58 PM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Some people have use a net, and hung it like a tarp to filter out the sun a bit.

August 7th, 2003, 07:03 AM	#7
John Threat Major Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York Posts: 322	Also, if possible, don't be afraid to ask your subject to move. If the sun is start to set or rise behind the subject, ask them to turn around and face the sun to avoid being backlit, or perpendicular to it for nice fall off. (Key and backlight! + reflector -> fill!) __________________ Director: http://www.mediathreat.com