Feedback on Interview Lighting

[Kevin Randolph]

Here's another frame grab that I'm putting up for constructive criticism. I know the first problem with this one is the mixing of indirect sunlight and tungsten lighting, but aside from that, please let me know your opinions for improvement.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Peter Wiley]

You need more flat fill on the left side. By flat I mean a source closer to her eye level. I think it would help with the deep shadows on her face that are no flattering and may be distoriting the overall shape of her face.

[Kevin Randolph]

Okay, as a glutton for punishment and trying to get this right, here's one last frame grab from an interview I shot. First, she's reading a script that is too low, so her eyes are slightly shut, and due to what I've learned from previous post on this thread the camera is too low (slightly shooting up her nose). Also I should have had her lean forward in her chair to help eliminate her double chin. But what else could I have done to make this shot better?

Thanks,
Kevin

[Brian Brown]

Yup, camera is too low. If the tripod was about a foot higher, it would be more flattering... focusing on the eyes instead of the chin.

Also, you might want to try to flattening out your lighting for women in general and not model their faces so much. DP Walter Graff explains it quite well here: http://www.bluesky-web.com/soft.html

HTH,
Brian Brown

[Kevin Randolph]

Thanks for the link, Brian. I found it very useful and informative.

Up until now, all of the frame grabs I have posted were shot before I started this thread. I hope to do some test with what I have learned here and then post a couple frame grabs, and hopefully you guy will let me know if I have improved any. Thanks so much. I'll post the next grab in about a week or so.

Keivn

[Brian Brown]

Glad to help, Kevin.

I'm pretty "green" on lighting setups and theory. I just bought John Jackman's book on lighting, but I think I'm also going to buy Walter Graff's DVD instruction set on lighting: http://www.bluesky-web.com/new-pagemerchandise.html

He's offering both DVDs, head shot and general lighting, about 3hrs of instruction for $65.

Might be something you're interested in also.

Take care,
Brian

[Michael Nistler]

Hi Kevin,

Everyone seems to be helping you with constructive feedback so let me give you some positive feedback you may or may not have considered. On the shot of Phyllis, I you were trying to obtain the Hollywood "golden triangle" effect on the cheek opposite the keylight, congratulate yourself - good job. Also, on Phyllis, if you were trying to setup a small kicker to give her eye the classic sparkle effect, give yourself another pat on the back. (but watch out for the the backlighting issue and camera composition on her shoot)

Good luck, Michael

[Kevin Randolph]

Thank you for the post Mike. I always appreciate an "atta boy." It's always very helpful to know what was done right in a shot, especially as I'm still very young as a videographer. Sometimes the criticism, even when I know it is what will make me better (and I've asked for it), goes down easier with an 'atta boy', so that you.

[Michael Nistler]

Rehi Kevin,

Good for you. It would be easy for us to point out things on the Phyllis clip such as the color balance issue, but I'm sure you noticed that on your own. And we all need a bone from time to time <wink> and I'm glad you and I are of the same ilk - give us the bitter pill that makes us get better yet give us some encouragement for the things we're doing right (and maybe didn't even think about it).

Good luck, Michael

[Kevin Randolph]

So I'm back again with a frame grab from a recent interview. I've tried to take to heart all of the tips and input that I've received earlier on this thread. So here it is, and as always don't hold back, but be constructive...

[Peter Wiley]

This looks really good. The equal of a lot of what I see on the A&E crime shows and similar cable content.

My one quibble is that it seems just a tad dark, but that reaction could be a function of my Mac gamma.

[Brian Brown]

Wow, that looks nice. Very warm and inviting. The hair light and spill on her shoulders looks great to my eye.

In the future, you might try a little bounce from below to soften the shadows on the lower part the face... on women, anyways. Men can always be modeled more dramatically.

Nice!
Brian Brown

[Phil Sherwood]

Looks pretty good - maybe a little dark for my taste. My only quibble is that her left shoulder and arm seem to blend into the background. Her face is nicely lit, nice catchlights in the eyes.
The background has interesting splashes of light, I'd have liked more in the lower right.

[Kevin Randolph]

Thanks for your input. It does seem that I need to buy another light to help light up the background and perhaps ad a contrasting color.

Here's another frame grab from the same project. Once again, please don't hold back on your constructive criticism...

[Heiko Saele]

Hey there, I really don't want to judge any of your shots because I find them all pretty good (I can see you have an eye for good lighting, something I hope I have myself). But there's one thing I'd like to be critical about: the old lady at the top of the page gets the key light clearly from the opposite side of her interviewer. I really don't like that in most cases. But, as I said, I don't like it - that doesn't mean it's wrong or anything - just to me it doesn't seem to work well in interviews. You have done it differently in all your other shots (key from the interviewers side), so you probably know what I mean :)