filter for horrendous sun?

W

wes

Well-known member
I am flying out in mid summer to Texas to shoot a music video. Doing it mid day out in the hills and I know its going to be blazing hot and blazingly bright.

So my question is would it be ideal to buy a polarizer to balance out the harsh sun with peoples faces or would ND2 work just as good?
 
Neither. You need to use lighting, not a filter, to control and balance that out. Bounce boards, reflectors, an overhead silk, and/or some HMI lights.
 
well polarizer is a small start that could help a little and an ND grad could be useful but a regular ND filter is no good. The best solutions are what Barry had suggested (I like the overhead silk to diffuse the sun the most) The other stuff will just make your video look slick.
 
yes, i understand that lights would be ideal but I dont think its going to be an option due to budget & time. I am looking for something basic that could benefit me in a run and gun style shoot.
 
I'm sure a lot of people would like a "simple, something basic" way to get rich without having to work, too, but you have to realize that just doesn't exist. :thumbsup:

Wes, not picking on you, just addressing a common misconception. There is no easy quick fix for all solutions. If it was easy, they wouldn't have to hire pros to do it.

There is no magic pill that's going to grow someone's "male member" by three inches, and there is no magic filter that you put on your lens that automatically solves lighting problems. Doesn't exist.

If the sun's causing you problems, move your actors to the shade. You'll get flat lighting, but it'll probably look better than horrible blown-out highlights. Put the sun at their backs, or at your back. Move around them, reframe the shot around them so you can control where the light hits them. There is nothing that will improve your outdoor lighting more, on a bang-for-the-buck basis, than having an assistant carrying a decent-size silver reflector. But if you're trying to shoot more than a one-person head shot, that isn't going to cut it and you're going to have to either accept lousy-looking shots, or take the time and effort to control the light.

Frankly, the only quick fix I can recommend to you is to always put the sun at your back, that'll give you the best exposure you can hope for with the least amount of effort.
 
If u r runnin and gunnin then consider the logistics of having to move around a 6x6ft or 12x12ft overhead. I agree these are the best for the job (together with reflectors) but it will slow you down and you will require more people to help rig and repo.
Think also abt the talent - if it is hot, they will prob. squint - not a good look, which is another reason why an overhead is a good idea - help to block the sun from the talent. So there are pro's and con's - but if you employ these techniques you will have a better product at the end.

Cheers,

Chris D
 
Go to Wal-Mart and buy 2 white foamcore boards. Total cost = $9.23
Paint a side silver if you want. They're worth their weight in gold.

I don't think you can get any cheaper than that.
 
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