Night Shooting with no Lights

Michele Seidman

Michele Seidman

Well-known member
OK, I am a rank beginner at all of this and I posted about a homespun music video I made for a friend on the User Films section.

Living at Walmart thread:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=196363

There was one issue I was hoping to get advice on about lighting a night shot when you have no lights except street lights. Is there anything I can do without a budget? Check the original thread for more detail if you can give some help.

And keep in mind I seriously have no resources and this is home spun but I AM trying to self learn and with help from folks who know it from doing it...will guide me a lot.

I'll respond on the original thread faster.
 
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buy some florescent lights and an extension chord. You'll get some well colored lighting without the really harsh shadows. Just white balance the camera until it looks good. Or you can buy some home depot tungsten lights and diffuse or reflect them for a better look.
 
I'm assuming you'll have access to power, because you're pretty much SOL otherwise. On absolutely no budget Z-block's advice is very good. I would add Chinaball as another cost-effective option. Get a few large lanterns, stuff them full of fluorescent bulb, then rig up a stand for them and you have beautiful soft light. In my experience lighting at night is more about lighting the background than lighting the actors; you really want to avoid that "being in a cave" look with completely dark background. It's always good to shoot near a wall or something so that you can just blast it with light. Hanging small Christmas lights in the background can help create visually appealing shots.
 
Zblock said:
buy some florescent lights and an extension chord. You'll get some well colored lighting without the really harsh shadows. Just white balance the camera until it looks good. Or you can buy some home depot tungsten lights and diffuse or reflect them for a better look.
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ZBlock...

Good ideas...thank you. Maybe when I am flush I should just grab some to have stowed away for the next one!

M

Huy Vu said:
I'm assuming you'll have access to power, because you're pretty much SOL otherwise. On absolutely no budget Z-block's advice is very good. I would add Chinaball as another cost-effective option. Get a few large lanterns, stuff them full of fluorescent bulb, then rig up a stand for them and you have beautiful soft light. In my experience lighting at night is more about lighting the background than lighting the actors; you really want to avoid that "being in a cave" look with completely dark background. It's always good to shoot near a wall or something so that you can just blast it with light. Hanging small Christmas lights in the background can help create visually appealing shots.
Click to expand...

Very cool Huy Vu

I have seen the lanterns used inside and don't know why I did not think of it for outside. I actually have a small battery pack that will run a light for up to 8 hours...I will test it to see if it can do several lanterns for a few hours!

And major thanks on the tip about lighting the background...I did not know that AT all! So that was a huge mistake shooting the distant shot on my 1st project but I won't make that one twice! Dag nab it...and we had a wall right there...I learn...I learn!

M
 
Michele, what kind of battery pack are you using and can you post a link of where I can check it out online? Thanks.
 
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