cinematography against a wall

[dvdguy]

Hey filmmakers,

Im doing this project of mine and the subject is against the wall doing an exercise...I have an ARRI fresnel light 650w about 30 degrees pointing toward the wall with a cookie which basically gives the subject a dramatic look. I noticed his right side is too dark and the ratio isnt working out. I basically just want to illuminate his right side a little more, BUT without the light messing with the shadows on the wall, I really dont want to illuminate the wall, just the subject.

I was thinking maybe placing a hard light with some blackwrap? I tried a white bounce board but it gets in the frame so it doesnt help much. Any ideas guys?

 

[chilipie]

If you can't get your white bounce board close enough to the subject without getting in shot, there are a few options - use a larger bounce board further back, use a silver reflector/shiny board (this will have a slightly different look), use a soft light like a china ball (which you'll probably have to control with black wrap or similar), or shine your hard light at the bounce board and use that to reflect light back at the subject.

 

[rayw]

Might try a fill light.

 

[chilipie]

Might try a fill light.

My beef with those double headed lights is that they're a pain in the arse to use - if you don't bounce or diffuse them you end up with horrible double shadows everywhere.