New idea for lighting for car shots.

A

Andrew McMillan

Well-known member
So when you're in a car now matter where you put the camera the windows are allways blown out. So what if the windows facing the camera were cover with ND gels taped on the out side of the car. But the windows opposite the camera would be clean as to keep the subject properly exposed.

So say the camera is on the hood facing the driver. You then ND the windows directly behind the driver and leave the windows out of frame naked to provide light for subject.

So is this a great idea or did I just reinvent the wheel.
Either way were can I get some desent size sheets of ND for this.
 
Just watch out what kind of tape you use, we did that on a shoot and it worked well, except the tape pulled off some of the clear coat....
 
See, I don't understand that. I've never had an issue using Gaff tape, ever. Yet I find people saying they do. Maybe because it's cheaper gaff tape?
 
Yup.

Gaff tape will take the paint of off walls.

A good trick is to pat the tape on your shirtsleeve or pant leg once before applying it to a fragile or expensive surface. That little bit of lint will take the edge off the tape so it won't damage the surface when you pull it off.
 
Yeah, it really doesn't matter what kind of gaff tape it is. I've seen it peel lots of things off of walls/floors/whatever.
 
j said:
Yup.

Gaff tape will take the paint of off walls.

A good trick is to pat the tape on your shirtsleeve or pant leg once before applying it to a fragile or expensive surface. That little bit of lint will take the edge off the tape so it won't damage the surface when you pull it off.
Click to expand...

Exactly correct. That's how it's done. Gaff tape is dangerous otherwise and should be used with caution on vulnerable surfaces.

Paper tape is safer and that blue easy release Scotch masking tape is safe when less grip will do and you're worried about clean release.
 
On season-length picture cars, we have the windows tinted with an ND6 equivalent, neutral gray gel. It is installed professionally. I've also installed the gel with the detergent and squeegee method for temporary work. Just tape a rough cut amount of gel to the bottom edge of the window you want to tint. Once the entire bottom window edge is taped (horizontally), roll it down an inch or so and then use a razor to cut the top of the gel to the shape of the window. It should be very precise if you use the glass as the guide for your blade.

Roll the window up again, remove the gel for a moment and apply the spray solution to the window. When you place the gel, cheat it down below the rubber trim by about 1/8" - you don't want it completely even with the top of the window glass.

After you've squeegeed the gel into position, roll the window up completely. Now, that slightly short-sheeted top edge will disappear into the door weather striping.

This should work at street speed for days and might hold up for a few freeway shots. I've never seen one come off if you leave the window up once the application is complete.

e
 
It's available as high as ND9. If your were shooting in a home and wanted to use tungsten lights you could gel the windows with 85ND6 and it would correct the windows to 3200 plus cut another 2 stops of light.
 
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