Natural Window Lighting for Interview Shoot

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DP StrangeLove

Well-known member
Just got a gig shooting an interview piece for client that they want to have on their website. They want to be sitting at their office desk, with a window that will be in the background off to the side behind them. They will be turned 3/4 from the window background, facing the camera. They want the window to read because it shows a nice tree outside the covers up the rest of the background, and isn't too distracting. Usually I avoid using a window in the shot, if I do, I usually just use the light from the window as my key, but do not put the window in the frame.
Should I completely avoid having the window in the shot? It does make the shot interesting, otherwise it would just be a plain old office desk. we are shooting in the morning and I will use NDO gel to bring the window level down to make the window scenery read and to balance with my Tungsten light. I will use the Window as my key, and a 650w Chimera Softbank for my fill, or just bounce the window light back onto my subject for the fill. How does this sound. Is it typical to have a backrgound of a window in the frame? Any other lighting-setup advice
Thanking you for any advice in advance.
:dankk2:
 
The window in the bg would definately make the shot more interesting than just a plain office desk. You will absolutely need to use ND gel on the window to bring down the level. However, by doing so, you are also going to bring down the amount of natural light coming through the window, in turn leaving you not much to bounce back for fill. Thus you will need to use your tungsten fill light. Watch out for light reflections in the window gel.

Good luck,

Chris Pyle
 
Thanks CPYLE for your advice. I think I should be set with my Chimera Soft for the fill.
Just got a little 200w Pepper light for some added splash, and might add a cookie to make the back the wall more interesting. Why is that some clients always like shooting in their drab office, and having that same black phone always on their desk in the shot?
 
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Yeah, I can't tell you how many times I've come to a location only to find a bare-white-walled conference room or office and been expected to make it look like a shot from CSI.

The Pepper with a cookie can work wonders and is a good idea. It is amazing how a small detail like that can really change the look.

Good luck

Chris
 
Dealing with the window blowing out is going to require some gels but the nice thing is that the sunlight streaming in is going to be SO much better looking than the crappy flouresents they'll have in the office. If you can get lucky and shoot on an overcast day, it should look great.
 
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