A Bath of Golden Sunlight

[gbadgley]

Howdy, I watched a documentary the other day called ' My life as a turkey' on PBS. The cinematography is sublime. Several scenes had huge swatches of golden sunlight shining down through openings in the trees. It's difficult to describe what I mean, but essentially you could actually see these huge golden rays shining down. The scenes were just bathed in golden sunlight. Almost as if the filmmakers had put a light dust in the air so you could see these rays. I believe these scenes were shot during the magic hour but I'm not sure. I do know the scenes were shot in the Oak hammocks of florida. Where I live in British Columbia I have never seen the light have this quality. I'm wondering if these scene were shot naturally, or were the images enhanced somehow. Any thoughts?

 

[David G. Smith]

Howdy, I watched a documentary the other day called ' My life as a turkey' on PBS. The cinematography is sublime. Several scenes had huge swatches of golden sunlight shining down through openings in the trees. It's difficult to describe what I mean, but essentially you could actually see these huge golden rays shining down. The scenes were just bathed in golden sunlight. Almost as if the filmmakers had put a light dust in the air so you could see these rays. I believe these scenes were shot during the magic hour but I'm not sure. The do know the scenes were shot in the Oak hammocks of florida. Where I live in British Columbia I have never seen the light have this quality. I'm wondering if these scene were shot naturally, or were the images enhanced somehow. Any thoughts?

I saw that and it was beautiful. I think that the shots that you are talking about, especially the atmospheric effects are natural, obtained by patience and getting up very early in the morning. I was born and raised in the south, and it is very common to see light and haze like that early in the morning. This is very acute in early spring and late fall, when a heavy dew from the night before is "Burnt off" by the rising sun. It is beautiful. So, all it took was a lot of talent, a lot of patience, a compass and an alarm clock. Easy, right?

 

[arco1]

I haven't seen the movie. However, there are several plugins that will generate (or enhance) volumetric lighting or "god rays" in post production. IIRC, Boris Continuum and/or Sapphire for After Effects can do a very good job of simulating the look you are discussing. Might be a bit more expensive than "patience, a compass and an alarm clock."

A search for 'volumetric lighting' will probably yield several post-production techniques for Photoshop or After Effects that don't require plug-ins.








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[David G. Smith]

I haven't seen the movie. However, there are several plugins that will generate (or enhance) volumetric lighting or "god rays" in post production. IIRC, Boris Continuum and/or Sapphire for After Effects can do a very good job of simulating the look you are discussing. Might be a bit more expensive than "patience, a compass and an alarm clock."

A search for 'volumetric lighting' will probably yield several post-production techniques for Photoshop or After Effects that don't require plug-ins.
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."....

That is cool info. Thanks. From having seen the flick, I think that they did have a very good colorist, at least, working on it, but I really believe that the shots the OP questioned were shot in natural light and conditions. The film made me homesick, as it really did show the beauty of the southern woods, especially just after sunrise. There is a lot that technology can do to make great images, but it is really hard to beat being at the right place, at the right time, under the right conditions. Now, I am also of the opinion that "patience, a compass and an alarm clock." can cost more than very elaborate digital manipulation, since the care of feeding of a crew in the field, waiting for the right time and conditions, can be expensive also*. Ahhhh decisions.... Ain't filmmaking fun!!!:laugh:


* I do think that the filmmakers on this doc had the advantage of already setting a very long shooting schedule, and scheduling the beauty shoots just as part of that schedule. I would not have wanted to be the one responsible for waking the crew up every morning.... very early!.....

 

[arco1]

Shortly after I posted, I found the film on-line and watched enough to see the beautiful shots being discussed. I agree that they were probably shot in natural light and conditions - and a testimony to good cinematography. What I saw of the film was gorgeous, even at 'web resolution.'

Does anyone know a time in the future that the movie is scheduled to air again? Otherwise, I might have to buy the DVD.

 

[gbadgley]

A batch of golden sunlight

A batch of golden sunlight

Thanks for all the posts. Since my original post I have spent hours studying this film, and am convinced that while it certainly was enchanced in post, the actual light is natural. Lots of backlighting, starbursts, great camera angles, and natural mist. Truly magnificient cinematography. One shot still puzzles me a bit, and I have been unable to come close to duplicating it. Half way through the film he is walking away from the camera directly into a orangy red sun hanging in the sky ahead. There is a hard edge around the sun. The fog is thick. I know a telephoto lens was used on the orginal shot, but I wonder if this sun wasn't dropped into the image in post. It is truly a spectacular shot. Well worth taking another look at, if you haven't seen it.

As far as seeing the film again, all I can suggest is to check out your local listing for PBS. Make the effort it's worth it!

 

[arco1]

"I wonder if this sun wasn't dropped into the image in post."

The shot I think you're talking about is about 26 minutes into the film. I don't think the sun was added in post because the rest of the shot seems to be consistent with a non-effects shot. The hard edge around the sun is likely an artifact of the camera (or telecine process, although I doubt this Canon funded series was shot on film.) I notice that there is little production information listed other than the production credits.

It's a bit frustrating that neither PBS, nor my local station seem to want to tell me when it might be broadcast again - probably because they also sell DVDs.