Paul Hudson
Vacuum Tube Member
On the first shot, why not just scrim the windows instead of abandoning the shot?
Lighting Family Dinner Table
- Thread starter Mark Kokkoros
- Start date
On the first shot, why not just scrim the windows instead of abandoning the shot?
Mark Kokkoros
Active member
^^ Hi Paul, I didn't have a scrim with me, just the china ball.
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
I carry a roll of black insect screen from Home Depot that makes for a good scrim material. It comes in 48" X 84" rolls and is inexpensive. I have cut the stuff up for custom nets/scrims and it would work great for windows, if you do not need to see out of them (Like in the first two example shots). It is NOT heat resistant, so don't use it very near hot lights. I keep the stuff, along with a basic grip electric kit, in a bag that I can throw in the trunk of my car.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100565927?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=insect+screen&storeId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=100565927#.UVR2Uhlt9r0
Paul Hudson
Vacuum Tube Member
Great idea.
Mark Kokkoros
Active member
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Thanks Paul. Yeah, that screen material is very handy to have around.
Postmaster
Dark Side of the Camera
Why? I know a ton of beautiful shots with withe table cloth. As a mater of fact, some of them became beautiful, because of the light bouncing of the cloth. Oliver Stones JFK, Gossford Park, Downton Abbey and more come to mind.
Actually I used white cloth a few times wit great results.
Did I miss something.
Paul Hudson
Vacuum Tube Member
I also like a white cloth if not a whole table cloth strategically placed napkins for filling the faces.
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Actually, I am glad that Frank showed up in this thread. I am pretty sure I got the idea for the insect screen from him in another post a good while back. I think he used the term "Bobinette" for the material that he used.
That screen material from HD is closer in light intensity cutting to what would be called a "Double" in a pro scrim. Works great.
Postmaster
Dark Side of the Camera
Yes, that was probably me. I'm using that since years, when I was not able to afford "pro" material.
Much later, when I bought my first flags with single and double net, I found out, that it is almost the same stuff.
The nice thing on insect nets and bobinette is, it comes in different grades (densities) from different companies.
Also in shops for bridal fabrics, you find a whole cheap variety of nets and silks for different lighting situations.
I have a 4x4 frame that I use with all sorts of weird materials to control light. Even camouflage nets, that give nice dots of light, or nets with leaves on them or rags woven in, and what not. Almost like a cocolores. You just have to get creative here, and look outside the "industry". Most of what you need is already there, and most of the time for a much better price.
I also use the insect net a lot for dimming down china balls, without changing color temperature. - just drape one or more layers over them, till you reach your levels.
Frank
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This was a good tutorial by Ryan Walters https://vimeo.com/23279748
Shooter
Veteran
Not at all ...and I am sure you have great examples including your own work.
If one has the skills and facility to "control" it so it doesnt dominate the scene and take the eye from what it is meant to see...go for it.
The fact its large, white and detail less is the challenge. Underexposing it, will turn it grey. Exposing it high on the IRE makes it "bright".
(Digital white really is awful without detail and some cameras are really challenged by it if not managed.)
Minimising the expanse of it by camera angle, art direction, blocking and pooled lighting on the talent is how I would deal with it if confronted by the situation.
I personally would not ask the art department to art direct one to assist me to fill faces.