someone mentioned in my short that the actors shadow was showing against the wall as he acted. it wasnt a harsh shadow. dumb question - am i supposed to be making it so there are NO shadows when lighting? in real life, i walk into a room, i see my shadow. did i miss something? is film an exception to the rules? :huh:
basic question about lighting/shadows
- Thread starter FilmBoy77
- Start date
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
Here's the problem... it's a lot harder to light for the camera then it is to light for your eyes.
A cam has rediculously poor dynamic range in comparison to your eyes... and shadow detail, plus blown highlights... are the first areas to show a cam's weakness.
To overcome that we use bounce and fill, and key and backlight... all trying to convey the emotion that you may feel if you were in the reality of that scene... when in fact the light doesn't always look realistic as if you would actually SEE in reality.
Bottom line is that if you have shadows that are really hard... and/or at ODD angles that clue the viewer to a light just out of frame (and in an odd location of the room) then I think you're causing unnecessary distractions for the audience to overcome.
Even the dumbest viewer knows they're looking at fake lighting if there's a hard shadow behind the talent... at nearly the same height. Nobody has a hard tungsten light in a room at eye level... The exact same lighting WOULD work for an escaping convict running along a wall however.
See what I mean? You gotta' light for the camera AND for reality... at the same time... lighting needs motivation and justification to add to the story otherwise it will take away from it.
EDIT: My freakin' computer just blanked out before I could add this... I mean as long as you have MOTIVATION for the light then shadows are fine... even hard shadows... as long as it makes sense in the scene. Some people point a fresnel on flood straight ahead at an actor that's supposed to be in somebody's living room... in that case, no, those shadows are not okay. Find the balance and be sure the light makes sense to the viewer and you'll succeed.
A cam has rediculously poor dynamic range in comparison to your eyes... and shadow detail, plus blown highlights... are the first areas to show a cam's weakness.
To overcome that we use bounce and fill, and key and backlight... all trying to convey the emotion that you may feel if you were in the reality of that scene... when in fact the light doesn't always look realistic as if you would actually SEE in reality.
Bottom line is that if you have shadows that are really hard... and/or at ODD angles that clue the viewer to a light just out of frame (and in an odd location of the room) then I think you're causing unnecessary distractions for the audience to overcome.
Even the dumbest viewer knows they're looking at fake lighting if there's a hard shadow behind the talent... at nearly the same height. Nobody has a hard tungsten light in a room at eye level... The exact same lighting WOULD work for an escaping convict running along a wall however.
See what I mean? You gotta' light for the camera AND for reality... at the same time... lighting needs motivation and justification to add to the story otherwise it will take away from it.
EDIT: My freakin' computer just blanked out before I could add this... I mean as long as you have MOTIVATION for the light then shadows are fine... even hard shadows... as long as it makes sense in the scene. Some people point a fresnel on flood straight ahead at an actor that's supposed to be in somebody's living room... in that case, no, those shadows are not okay. Find the balance and be sure the light makes sense to the viewer and you'll succeed.
Last edited:
mrblue1022
Well-known member
I agree with MacWorm, if it looks good in the monitor then don't sweat it.
On the other hand if you plan on lighting on a professional level you do need to learn how to control shadows.
On the other hand if you plan on lighting on a professional level you do need to learn how to control shadows.
cardmaverick
Well-known member
The two great tricks with shadows are:
1.) density
2.) naturalism...
Walk around during the day and just look at how real world shadows are cast. Then aim to create those same types of shadows, only with more film/video friendly density.
1.) density
2.) naturalism...
Walk around during the day and just look at how real world shadows are cast. Then aim to create those same types of shadows, only with more film/video friendly density.