Interviewing in Silhouette
- Thread starter jaime1986
- Start date
FatDaddy
Veteran
Just light the background. I recently had do do one and it was a small room that I lit the bookcase behind him with the Lowell pro lights (as a wash) and let some spill on him. You will have to control spill with flags or whatever you use.
This is not the only way. You can also shoot in front of a window.
This is not the only way. You can also shoot in front of a window.
I've done it often run-and-gun photojournalism style, and a 650 on the background and no light on the sugject (exposing for the backgrounnd) does the trick nicely. Depending on what you use to edit, crunching the black in post helps as well. One of the best results I had, the back wall was wood panaling (sp?) It made for a nice warm silhouette, to bad the subject was a nasty, cold sex offender!
Allen Green
Active member
It also depends on the comfort level of the subject. We did a shoot in Nuevo Laredo on the cartel thing that is happening and our interview was with no light with a large window behind the subject with a very light curtain exposing to the window. Total silhouette. The subject put a hat on, but still was so nervous (even after looking at the monitor) that he also wanted to ware a mask over his face. For him it was a matter of his life or death. Make sure your subject is comfortable this can be as important as lighting- if they feel you can tell who they are - they may walk.
cproductions
New member
Other tips are shooting the subjects hands while he/she is talking...or shoot their shawdow on the ground...if lights are not avaiable.
Lensmith
Well-known member
Good suggestions on shooting anonymous interviews.
An additional thought...use the Zebra function on your DVX 100 so you know what the correct exposure is. There is nothing worse than shooting an interview in silhouette then finding out during editing you can see the persons face.
Yes, you can "fix" it in post but...what a pain when the job should have been done right the first time.
Use the zebra setting so that whatever is behind the subject is correctly exposed. My preference is a 70% zebra on the background. The other key point is to have your subject as far away from that background as possible. Less chance of light spill and a much better dark shadowed look with your final product.
Do not simply trust your eyes or guess on the exposure. You have a good camera with a good tool built into it.
Use it!
An additional thought...use the Zebra function on your DVX 100 so you know what the correct exposure is. There is nothing worse than shooting an interview in silhouette then finding out during editing you can see the persons face.
Yes, you can "fix" it in post but...what a pain when the job should have been done right the first time.
Use the zebra setting so that whatever is behind the subject is correctly exposed. My preference is a 70% zebra on the background. The other key point is to have your subject as far away from that background as possible. Less chance of light spill and a much better dark shadowed look with your final product.
Do not simply trust your eyes or guess on the exposure. You have a good camera with a good tool built into it.
Use it!