A Metering question

[PerroneFord]

I have a question on how to meter a specific scene for proper exposure.

Lets assume an outdoor shot. Sun somewhat low on the horizon like you might see 2 hours before sunset.

Using the clockface metaphor, camera at 6 o'clock, talent on the center. Sun is at approximately 10 o'clock. Fill reflector is at 4-5 o' clock.

The idea is to get a nice fill ratio of about 3:1. No other lighting instruments are being used.

So how do you meter this? Reflected or Incident? Since the Sun is really the key, but placed like a kicker, do you use incident metering? Do you have your talent there for the metering? Because doing so would almost certainly block the fill and not give an accurate combined reading.

Love to hear your thoughts.

 

[GageFX]

Always meter your key light. This is your exposure setting. In this case, the key is the light from the reflector. The ambient is the fill, and the sun is the kicker/rim. I think you are thinking of the sun as the key simply because it is the only source generating light. That is not what determines it's function.

The problem is that you have no control over the ratio. Your only control over the intensity is how close you have the reflector as well as the reflectance of the reflector and diffusion. However, in a limited light situation like this, where you want the key as hot as possible, I would use the most efficient reflector with no diffusion. When you work solely with reflectors, you are at the mercy of the source light.

I would take an incident reading where the key hits the subject. You can get a reading for the other "lights", ambient fill and kicker, but it is only academic as you have no control to change the ratio. (apart from changing your key intensity, but changing it will only make the kicker hotter and blow your highlights.)

 

[PerroneFord]

Thanks for the thoughts.

I guess I was thinking of a scenario where the kicker was the brightest source. LIke the direct sun would be in this case. Basically bringing the Sun "over-the-shoulder" of the talent to provide the strongest light. With the reflector being subdued and filming from the short side. But in doing this, I can see what you mean about the reflector offering the "key" and setting the exposure there.

Basically, I was thinking of doing some outdoor interviews in either morning or evening golden hour, and I'd rather not have to try to drag power with me. I can move the talent in relation to the sun and get it to a more normal key position, but if I have to go wide, or to a 2-shot, I was afraid my reflectors would show. I can use a silver reflector instead of white I guess and maintain a bit more distance.

I guess I'll give it a run and see how it goes.

Thanks again.

 

[GageFX]

I can move the talent in relation to the sun and get it to a more normal key position,

Please do not do the "Aunt Bettie taking a family photo" technique. Unless you are going for a specific effect, the sun should never be shining directing at the subjects. Your original layout is perfect.

I think what you laid out will work nicely, but be prepared for a possible hot background. It's impossible for me to say exactly what it will look like without seeing the location.

Now, if you have a carport of something similar available, with a cover overhead and preferrably only two or three sides open, you can shoot under the shade towards the light (sun) and end up with a somewhat more controlled light.

 

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

Perrone,

I would suggest angling your subjects in order to use the suns direct light as a kicker/rim and then utilize a 4'x4' mirror to bounce the sunlight through some grid cloth or full diffusion for your key. I included a small diagram to aid the description.

I have used this technique many times and it gives you much more control of your contrast, and it allows you to work around the intensity of your kicker by giving you a stronger key source. You can incident read your kicker (the sun) and adjust your mirror (the key) to control your ratio. Throw in a bounce or shiny board if you want a lower fill ratio.

 

[PerroneFord]

I'll be doing this on a soccer field. But I can make a butterfly to diffuse the light. As long as it's not windy that day! LOL!

And no, I had no intention of turning the talent into the sun. That's an AWFUL look, though with some serious diffusion it can be pleasing.

Please do not do the "Aunt Bettie taking a family photo" technique. Unless you are going for a specific effect, the sun should never be shining directing at the subjects. Your original layout is perfect.

I think what you laid out will work nicely, but be prepared for a possible hot background. It's impossible for me to say exactly what it will look like without seeing the location.

Now, if you have a carport of something similar available, with a cover overhead and preferrably only two or three sides open, you can shoot under the shade towards the light (sun) and end up with a somewhat more controlled light.

 

[PerroneFord]

Thanks for the thought here, but this setup scares me. I'd be too afraid of lens flare to try it. I don't have a mattbox or a french flag. So I'd rather keep the sun at an angle, especially since I will be working with a low sun.

Other than the positioning of Sun in your diagram, it seems doable.

-P

Perrone,

I would suggest angling your subjects in order to use the suns direct light as a kicker/rim and then utilize a 4'x4' mirror to bounce the sunlight through some grid cloth or full diffusion for your key. I included a small diagram to aid the description.

I have used this technique many times and it gives you much more control of your contrast, and it allows you to work around the intensity of your kicker by giving you a stronger key source. You can incident read your kicker (the sun) and adjust your mirror (the key) to control your ratio. Throw in a bounce or shiny board if you want a lower fill ratio.

 

[cyclone]

Nothing is more efficient (and beautiful) than using the sun as your kick. Caleb Deschanel has been doing it for years (THE NATURAL, THE PATRIOT) and won an Academy Award for it. Toss some dust or cattail dust in the air behind your subjects and it will be magical.

 

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

Perrone, the diagram I included could be adjusted for any angle you'd like. As long as the sun is providing the kick/rim, the angle on all the other variables can easily be repositioned.