lighting Lighting

[MadMan]

Hmmm... Lighting...

How do a light a scene where there's actor's in the frame? I know it depends on HOW he actors are framed, right? (close-up, medium shot, wide shot, etc.) But, do I point the lights at the actors faces, (or do the lights fill the whole area?) Wouldn't pointing the lights at the actors faces cause squinting?

Do you get my question?

 

[oakstreetphotovideo]

There is no all purpose lighting setup, but you could start with a light on your subject (key light), a reflector or 2nd light roughly opposite the key light for fill, then a light that is specifically for lighting the background. That's a good starting point.

As far as light pointing into the face of your talent, the key light should not be from the camera's point of view; that would produce a very flat, shadowless image. The key light would generally be to the right or left of the camera from a higher angle, unless you're going for a spooky effect, then a lower angle might be preferred.

If your actor quints, fix it.

Doug

 

[directorik]

Hmmm... Lighting...

How do a light a scene where there's actor's in the frame? I know it depends on HOW he actors are framed, right? (close-up, medium shot, wide shot, etc.) But, do I point the lights at the actors faces, (or do the lights fill the whole area?) Wouldn't pointing the lights at the actors faces cause squinting?

Do you get my question?

I get your question.

If the light is directly in the actors eyes some will squint. Many
actors learn to not squint with light in their face - it's a common
situation that all actors face, both film and theater.

As a beginner you are in a great place - you can grab some of
your friends, a few lights, a camera and play around a little. You
are right, lighting actors depends on how the actors are framed.
So you should try different things and move the actors and lights
around until you get a look you like and works for the actors.

All the information on these boards won't get you one tenth as
far in understanding lighting as getting out there and moving
some lights around.

 

[knightly]

Here are the google searches that turned up good info for me:
"Portrait lighting"
"3 point lighting"
"rembrandt lighting"
"short lighting"
"broad lighting"
chiaroscuro
tenebrism

These things will get you places from which to start. Read them carefully and soak in the techniques...there there's this:

http://www.arri.de/infodown/light/broch/arri_lighting_handbook_english.pdf

which is a higher end lighting how to from a big name cinema equipment manufacturer.

 

[NicklausLouis]

As a beginner you are in a great place - you can grab some of
your friends, a few lights, a camera and play around a little. You
are right, lighting actors depends on how the actors are framed.
So you should try different things and move the actors and lights
around until you get a look you like and works for the actors.

All the information on these boards won't get you one tenth as
far in understanding lighting as getting out there and moving
some lights around.

Ditto. Doing is learning.