Looking for Guide Lighting for High Grain Film stock at DVinfo.net

Ted Bragg · December 11th, 2017, 01:34 PM

I'm stuck using some small sensor, uber grainy camcorders for a municipal channel. Someone suggested I light as if I'm using lo-fi film, like 8mm or 16mm. "Embrace the grain" they said. :-)

The cameras are Canon R700s, (1/5th" sensor) so treating them like an 8mm isn't too far of a stretch.

I've found that stopping the exposure on them down -2 eliminates much of the grain, but then to light it bright enough at that setting blows out highlights.

What's a good guide book or blog I could read up on? I don't have a whole lot of time to experiment and we have to shoot ALOT of programs.

Brian Drysdale · January 26th, 2018, 04:01 AM

"Lo Hi" film handles highlights well, it's one of film's advantages that highlights roll off, rather than clip.

Basically lighting these is like any other type of lighting for film or video, the basic rules are similar. Testing is the way to go, so that you know how your camera handles highlight and you know its dynamic range and latitude.

December 11th, 2017, 01:34 PM	#1
Ted Bragg Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 105	Looking for Guide Lighting for High Grain Film stock I'm stuck using some small sensor, uber grainy camcorders for a municipal channel. Someone suggested I light as if I'm using lo-fi film, like 8mm or 16mm. "Embrace the grain" they said. :-) The cameras are Canon R700s, (1/5th" sensor) so treating them like an 8mm isn't too far of a stretch. I've found that stopping the exposure on them down -2 eliminates much of the grain, but then to light it bright enough at that setting blows out highlights. What's a good guide book or blog I could read up on? I don't have a whole lot of time to experiment and we have to shoot ALOT of programs.

January 26th, 2018, 04:01 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: Looking for Guide Lighting for High Grain Film stock "Lo Hi" film handles highlights well, it's one of film's advantages that highlights roll off, rather than clip. Basically lighting these is like any other type of lighting for film or video, the basic rules are similar. Testing is the way to go, so that you know how your camera handles highlight and you know its dynamic range and latitude.