Settings for Dark Skinned Actors??

[sagedrummer]

Hi
I am filming some dark skinned African American musicians tonight and I have had problems before getting sharp clear facial features. If the light is unbalanced, the shadows are often unflattering and I do not have the ability to have a lot of light. Does anyone have any settings they can recommend in a moderatley low light situation. I am filming at an art museum and can not bring any lights of my own and have to rely on the overhead lights. Thanks

[jonnyh1968]

well, this is just a guess, but mabe use the LOW gamma. I think this boost up the lows and you can the set your Knee to 80% allowing you to open up a bit. Expose for the face. Watch for zebras over 100 and deal with it. If it looks too flat then remember you can always throw away black information in post - nutin' wrong with throwing info away... it's when you try and create new info is when it start to look crappy.

[JefferyTahl]

I have luck shooting darkskined actors by shooting a little dark(SHUTTER SPEED 120 OR 250 AND FSTOP AS DARK AS I CAN STAND IT). When you go into post, the adjust features(high light mid) will add red and cut the blue. The color wheel theory of adding or subtracting to gain the color you want. Second, you can try using a .05 red filter. Third, you can use preset 5600. Of course, which is best for you the artist. Only you can decide. Good Hunting!
JefferyTahl

[Noel Evans]

Please check out Walter Graffs lighting tutorials here:

http://www.film-and-video.com/broadcastvideoexamples-complextion.html