Filmmaking Tips 101: Viewing Your Exposure properly
Few viewfinders on cameras accurately display what the end product will be. That’s why if you’ve ever spent time on a major motion picture set, or even a network television set, you’ll see that the Director, DOP and a lot of crew stand/sit behind monitors which do actually display what will be seen (and how it’s framed). This is very important. Remember, you never know when you’ll be able to re-visit or re-shoot what you’re filming; therefore it’s essential to get it right while you’re filming the first time around. Attaching a monitor (or strong performing television to act as a monitor) to your camera can make a huge difference when it comes to using that footage you wanted.
Filmmaking Tips 101: Light Meters
Light meters measure the amount of light hitting the area you’re trying to capture. They’re placed at the point you’re trying to examine and will help you gage how to adjust your surrounding light. The results help you decide which f/stops to go to.
Filmmaking Tips 101: Reflective Meters
Reflective meters are found on cameras. They measure the light reflected at the subject the camera is pointed at. They work on the theoretical average subject which is gray and reflects 18% of the light exposed to it.
Filmmaking Tips 101: Handheld Incident Light Meter
These are the most common on larger film productions; the device features a white sphere which is held in front of where the light is projected towards. It is pointed towards the camera and calculates an f/stop for again an average 18% gray subject.
