Recommendations/Feedback/Advice on Lighting setup

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bshappell

New member
Hello again DVXers,

I recently shot this subject for a corporate video. Most of the work I do is based in motion graphics, so lighting and setting up a shoot are not my primary skills. Therefore, I'm looking for some advice from some of the more seasoned professionals on this board.

I used a 3 point setup. Two lowell totas for the key and fill, and a pro for the backlight.

What areas of these images stick out as undesirable? 1.jpg2.jpg

These are the two angles that were shot.



Thanks so much everyone!
 
bshappell said:
Hello again DVXers,

I recently shot this subject for a corporate video. Most of the work I do is based in motion graphics, so lighting and setting up a shoot are not my primary skills. Therefore, I'm looking for some advice from some of the more seasoned professionals on this board.

I used a 3 point setup. Two lowell totas for the key and fill, and a pro for the backlight.

What areas of these images stick out as undesirable? View attachment 46708View attachment 46709

These are the two angles that were shot.



Thanks so much everyone!
Click to expand...

For me the things light in one case, reflection in the other are pretty disturbing.

For me 3-point lighting is a key, fill, and back. Key and fill are from the 'front' of the subject, hair can be a little back but up high, to lessen 'spill'. For me the back light is
too obvious.

The Key and fill are usually set in a 2:1 ratio. Some TV News type lighting is pretty flat from the front, that would be a 1:1 ratio.
 
They just look very, very flat. He looks pasted or keyed into the scene. Think of the word "flat" - he has no dimensionality, like a paper cutout.

Personally, I skip the whole "3 point" idea and just try to light it nice. Get some soft light from a direction that gives some depth. Some harder light from behind (and try to FORGET the words "hair light" - getting some hard light that cuts the shape of a cheekbone, a shoulder - that's cool). And give some love to the background when you can - it's a big part of the composition - how does it frame the subject?

I read an interview with a top-line corporate/branding people shooter - he does very editorial looking work for ads and brochures. His trademark? "Shoot from the shadow side". he's just broken the hearts (and rules) of every 3-point lighting guy out there - and his stuff is gorgeous and unique. Look at movie scenes you like & figure out what kind & color of light is coming from which directions. Grab a friend and test, test, test. Make your stuff look cool.
 
Thank you Michael, I really appreciate your insight. I really need to get over thinking about the cookie cutter 3 point set up and just go outside the box. It didn't help that our lights and camera setup that day were in a hallway...we should have picked a different spot.

Again, thank you, this kind of feedback is invaluable.
 
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