Interview Lighting Screen Grabs - please critique

dustino

dustino

Well-known member
Hello,
Over the next few months I'm expecting to do a lot of one person sit down interviews. For a number of them, I'm going for a dark, moody lighting (cliche, perhaps, but I still love that look and it suits the content of the project). I'm trying to keep things simple as well because I will likely be doing many of the setups and interviews myself.

So, here are some test grabs using a 300 watt Britek w/softbox as key, and a 200w Mole Midget w/snoot as a kicker/hairlight. Many of the subjects will likely be very dark skinned so I'm thinking this might be the light skin setup. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Oh yeah - I know the background and "art direction" suck. These are purely lighting tests concerned with how the subject is lit only. Thanks.

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dustino said:
... Oh yeah - I know the background and "art direction" suck. These are purely lighting tests concerned with how the subject is lit only. Thanks.
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Yeah, 100% right but you know that the background interact with the subject and only the whole and final frame can tell you - yes, that is what I want or not. Personal I would use a 3. light as a contra that gives you a better silhouette from the person.

Just my 2 cent's...
Ruediger
 
Looks great! I like modeling. I also like to slap my subjects on the side of the head with a hot 3/4 back, like you have. Unfortunately, the show I shoot for likes it as flat as possible. Good job! Of course, when you shoot your real interviews, try to choose a background with the most space/distance behind it that doesn't include any distracting stuff in it. Also, shoot wide open to throw your background out of focus (unless you WANT deep focus for a particular reason).
 
I agree with adding just a little more fill. I would also try and let a little more of that kicker spill onto his shoulder.
 
I think it looks great. The kicker on screen left needs to be toned down just a bit, but raise it off the ground a little more to highlight his shoulder.

The thing about interview lighting is that it can look great, but not look right for what you are using it for and who's gonna see it.
 
I like it, I do a lot of low-fill lighting. That being said, it isn't for every project. Once comment though. Staging. Personally, I dont like when things in the background, especially pictures, are 'coming out of the subjects head' A good trick is to take the picture off the wall and then use a C-stand with a cardellini on it to place the picture exactly where you want it. Another good thing is to have a bunch of magazines in your trunk, so if you are in a situation and need to stage a picture in the background, however you dont like what is in the picture frame, you can open up the frame and cut something out of the magazine to put in there.
 
SilverWolf said:
After looking at this some more it remind me of the interviews before a UFC match
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What is a UFC match (I'm guessing it's not a good thing. Sporting event?)
 
I'd like to see a bit of backlighting to separate your subject from the background a bit. That kicker on screen left is almost doing it, but I don't quite understand its placement. So much of the light is hitting the side of your subject's face that it feels like it could be a misguided fill light. I would move that light around and barndoor it until it just sparks a bit of a ridge of light along the head and the shoulder (screen left side). If your lighting is otherwise warm, a blue gel can add a nice contrast, as long as the backlighting you're doing is subtle.

Beyond that it looks good. The eye lights are nice and I like the mottling, though I would like to see some bounce fill so that you get the texture but it's not quite as extreme.
 
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Bus No. 8 said:
I'd like to see a bit of backlighting to separate your subject from the background a bit. That kicker on screen left is almost doing it, but I don't quite understand its placement. So much of the light is hitting the side of your subject's face that it feels like it could be a misguided fill light. I would move that light around and barndoor it until it just sparks a bit of a ridge of light along the head and the shoulder (screen left side). If your lighting is otherwise warm, a blue gel can add a nice contrast, as long as the backlighting you're doing is subtle.

Beyond that it looks good. The eye lights are nice and I like the mottling, though I would like to see some bounce fill so that you get the texture but it's not quite as extreme.
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I agree with that.... I think the key is good for this persons face. Also think if the kicker was better placed per the above you might then want to consider using some fill also as stated. But for this guy I wouldnt use a lot.

I guess the biggest thing that stood out for me is his placement in relation to the background. Ive been doing a lot of head shot tests lately with Walter Graffs methodology and the results speak for themselves.... you should check out his DVD.

The background colour and texture doesnt do a lot for me either. Easily changed with some CTB or CTO and some creativity.
 
Remember though its a methodology, and theres lots of room for creativity but its a different take on the basic rules.
 
Thanks for all the responses. Definitely some good advice for me to think about. For those of you pointing out the crappy background - you're 100% right. As I said in my original post:
dustino said:
Oh yeah - I know the background and "art direction" suck. These are purely lighting tests concerned with how the subject is lit only. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
hey excellent, I really like the low fill, not too much detail lose,
nor is it too bright and sterile
all I would have suggested would be a little more backlight, it really helps in preventing a blantant monocular image.

(but as you said the subject was the test)
 
I believe the lighting is excellent - for a dramatic film scene, and not really suited for an interview.... just my 2 cents
 
I would be careful if you do use the backlight on bald people, because it can make an unattractive hot spot on their head, make sure it is soft. I would personally just use a background that separates interviewee from the background with colors, rather than a strong backlight. If they have hair than the backlight is fine. Blue and yellow look good as backlights or kickers on dark skinned people.
 
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