First attempt actually trying to light.

Dillon Novak

Dillon Novak

Well-known member
I really have for the most part avoided lighting myself. I have always let someone else do it, or just shot outside when the weather was to my liking. But i finally decided to break out my lighting kit for this short film i'm shooting.

I know they don't look great but if you have anything i could improve next time.

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Be kind!! haha
 
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It depends on the mood you are going for. I agree, things look a little dark and a bit flat. (Although I do like something about #2)

Can you elaborate on what type of film you are working on? The subject matter could dictate how the scene is lit. I would say looking at these screen grabs it is a serious film. Dark overtones & shadow.

As far as light placement, I try and play off practical lights or mimic where sources of light would be coming from. IE, through a window or existing light in the room. I can't watch a TV show w/o being cognizant of how the talent was lit. As they cut back and forth I always watch for the way shadows fall across the face, or whatever. It is nice to have consistency between 2 (or more) actors.

Can you tell us what your light kit is, and roughly where you placed the lights? I'm curious.

I'm no expert here, but I figure I would get the ball rolling.
 
It is a drama, i was trying to go for that. The guy in still one is trying to hire still 2.


There was only a couple existing over head lights in the room, no windows or anything, hence i realized i could just "not light" this one.

I have a pclighting kit.
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I didn't use one of the 650s and one of the 1000s

second time i used it the light bulb burnt out. But i found this place before dvxuser and everyone knows that they suck. I've have 3 light bulbs burn out and i've only used it twice.



any way, for still one i had my 1000w with softbox of the left side of his face raised about 6ft.
and then i had a 250 and 650 as the hair light and fill. And for the most part i reciprocated the look on the other side.
 
The images are soft so my eyes are not being tricked into focusing on the characters and the character with the glasses seems to blending into the background.

I'm no pro. But I think if there is a light source, say a Chinese lantern over head between the characters creating a soft light that focuses on the faces and 2 individual hair lights that are blocked with black foil so they don't spill on the background your focus will shift to the characters and the table.

The only problem I foresee would be the reflection on the table from the over head light source.

Just a thought.
 
Dillon Novak said:
But i found this place before dvxuser and everyone knows that they suck. I've have 3 light bulbs burn out and i've only used it twice.
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That is a bummer about those lights. In theory, it should be a pretty good kit to get you started. (They even threw in a pair of work gloves) I'm guessing the kit was substantially cheaper than average.

I'm not a big fan of soft boxes for narrative work. The light flies everywhere. I would rather use fresnels with a barn door and shape the light on the subject. For an interview situation, that is another story.
 
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