Newbie Question #3: Lighting

T

telebay

Well-known member
Thanks in advance for caring enough to read this question, from a complete newbie!

First, I keep reading about how the HVX requires LOTS of lighting. Way more than "normal". I wonder, if I want to get some shots in a shadowy-darkened room (only a few dim lights, like candles)... how would I light this? I mean, what it seems like everyone is saying is that to pick up anything it needs to be over-lit. Wouldn't that just make the room to appear bright... which is the opposite of the look I want? Is everyone saying to light it bright and then use a filter in post to give it a dark appearance... surely not.

Anyway... I'm confused and would appreciate your help!

-B
 
Your confusion stems from the fact that you think what you see with the naked eye is the same thing the camera will see. It won't. A candle may be barely visable when viewed through the camera @1/60 shutter speed. You won't get the look you are wanting you will get too dark a look. To get the look you will need to drop a china ball down below or above the candle just off frame and use it to replace the light lost in the camera. To your naked eye the scene may seem too bright but on the monitor it should look the way you origially wanted it to look. Basically you are just adding light to the exististing practical lights to re-create the look.
 
I hate to ask, but what is a China Ball? I've never heard of this?

Also, in a room shot like this... would even the shadows need to be lightly light, so they aren't too dark? I mean, with the HVX, will a room I want to appear shadowy appear picth dark if even the shadows aren't lit somewhat?
 
A china ball or lantern is basically a paper ball held open by a wire frame and a light bulb goes in the middle. Gives a nice soft light. You can throw an orange gel in there to match the candle example. To get the most detail in the shadows bring he master ped up into the positive numbers. This will flatten out your image but you can bring the contrast back in in post and control the amount of visability in the shadows.
 
china ball:

cinemasupplies_1895_23871504
 
ohhhhh.... yeah. I was thinking it was probably some kind of technical hardware I didn't know... THIS I've heard of! Thanks all.
 
You will want to get a photo flood bulb to go into that china ball for good color temperature. Your local camera store will have one.
 
Another thing to think about is the flicker from a candle. If you really want it to look candle lit anyways. Also-I think you are underestimating the HVX. Most dv cameras aren't excellent in low-light conditions but you make it sound like the HVX is shitty even when there is light. That isn't the case.
 
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