Lighting questions...

Logan LeBlanc

Logan LeBlanc

Well-known member
I am gonna be shooting a vid for some friends and I have NO IDEA about lighting. The first half of the vid is a room with black walls and 4 suspended mini-can lights. About the size of a coke can. Those are the only light sources.
The second half of it will be atop a parking structure with 2 halogen construction lights as the primary sources. THOSE ARE THE SPECS

TELL ME YOUR TAKE ON EVERYTHING!!!
 
If i wanted to search google, I would have. An unexperienced guy asking guys who know what they're doing questions. man i must be some sort of retard to think that would help. Thanks
 
I guess what people are trying to tell you is that lighting is very complicated, and a take on everything would be a 200 page book.

I suggest you search the net for a 3-point lighting article, anyone you can read, and then go to Walter Graff's page (Just do a google) and read the article beyond 3 point lighting. That is something to get you started thinking lighting. Any specific questions you can try and post here, but do so in the lighting forum, not technical.

Ligting in itself is an art, so don't think it should be just a minor setback for your work.

Good Luck!
 
Logan, as you probably now understand, lighting is not a simple as you may have thought. With this in mind, you also have to know that a lot of people on this board (and boards like this) are not only professionals and enthusiasts, but ARTISTS as well. In some ways, the question you asked is the equivalent of walking up to a great painter, telling him what brushes you bought at AC Moore, and then asking "How do I make a cool looking painting"... in some ways, while it would be an innocent question, it's sort of insulting to suggest it's that simple.

You have to understand that boards like these exist, because the ART of video and film is constantly changing. Even after years and decades of experience, and experimentation - people still gather to discuss new ideas and possibilities, problems and dynamics. There is never simple solution.

For a quick idea, here are some considerations pertaining to your question: are you shooting long, medium shots, closeups? what about camera movement? how many characters are you lighting? what is the mood that you're trying to convey? how do you want to effect the viewer's psyche? do you want hard light? soft light? have you considered the mise-en-scene? This mearly scrtaches the surface, there are dozens or more implications for every different technical aspect of video if you want to look that deep....

My suggestion: Read as much as you can on lighting. In fact, read as much as you can on filmmaking and videography in general. In a lot of ways, you cannot be "taught" film or video, you simply have to learn, experience and grow as an artist. And also you have to respect those who have crafted their work for so long, and not expect a quick answer to everything. GOOD LUCK!!!
 
Compudork, that was a very complete, thought provoking, and dead on response...

I was going to do something closer to the LMFAO, but I saw that Matt took that from me.

There is no other response needed... Wow, I'm without a reply... Damnit!
 
Thanks Yank! I'm hoping now that I've come out of the shadows of lurking these boards, my posts will be as helpful as those I have read all these years!! (the least I can do is keep the other noobs in line, lol)
 
Dude, I lurked forever, but once you start posting you just keep on going and going.
At least you joined way before I did... I just bummed about in the shadows (don't ask me where my hands were)
 
I lurked for a very long time before really posting anything on an even semi-regular basis. I learned a lot from this site before I began posting. You could make the argument that I should shut up, quit posting and go back to learning more before I open my big mouth.:lipsrseal
 
You have to admit, there is something to be said for lurking... Then again, once you start posting it's sort of hard to stop.
 
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