Filmmaking Tips 101: Lighting
When filming exterior shots, it’s best to think ahead. The reason gels and f/stops exist, and reasons why light meters are so widely used are to create an image. Now when shooting exteriors, a factor that requires considerable consideration is of course the sun. For those who know nothing about this fiery ball, let me explain to you how it relates to lighting issues; it rises and sets. Yes, it’s a gradual process, but if it takes you two hours to shoot a scene which is meant to match with another scene set at the same time, you’ll have to make the lighting match to make it look like they happened at the same time. The sun will change throughout the day and so will the angle of light that it casts upon your subject. You must pay attention to this.
Subjects tend to be best lit when the sun is at a 45 degree angle. At midday (noon) the sun casts shadows over subjects, which doesn’t really help the look of your project.
Filmmaking Tips 101: Reflectors and Lights
Professional photographers and D.O.P.’s (Directors of Photography) know how to make a subject and an environment look how they want. They’re aware of how positioning a light at the right spot will influence the look of a subject and they’re aware of how using a reflector (typically a large white or black board/canvas, sometimes covered with paint or foil) can help get the look they want.
Reflectors are used to bounce light or absorb it, depending on where it’s needed.
Filmmaking Tips 101: Fill Lights
Fill lights can be used outside and can basically be any light as long as it projects a colour temperature of 5400K. If it’s a 3200K tungsten, it can have a blue gel (gelatin sheet) put in front to convert the light to 5400K. Fill lights can be placed anywhere to get the image that you’re trying to achieve. They help to remove shadows cast by the different positions of the sun.
Filmmaking Tips 101: Backlights
Backlights are designed to help separate the subject from the background, to help show that they don’t just mould into it. However, do remember you should also keep a background light so that you’re background exists as well. After all, you’re trying to show a slice of life situation in whatever world you’re creating.
Key Lights
Key lights tend to be the main lights pointed at the actors. Without backup lights they can leave heavy shadows which don’t do the subject too many favours.
