Simple Lighting Technique

[kyleroolz123]

You're entirely right, in-home lighting sucks, really really bad, however, the lights do get pretty hot, as I said I got work lights the other day, you'll get a blister if you touch those.

[tankbuster29]

I got a question though, what if the camera's reflection is seen off the light on the footage. I think it's a pain in the ass. Like I made this vid. yesterday with my friend James. And the reflection of the camera was in the window and the door and I don't know how to photoshop it out.

[philldwill]

I hate lighting a shot but I love the outcome.

You should never see the true light source in camera. So the camera shouldn't see it's reflection in it. As for the windows, that's just a pain, I always make sure that the windows are covered with blinds or curtains but if not just pay close attention to those trouble areas.

[ronnierokk]

The one thing you could do is put the camera far back away from the shot when shooting and simply zoom in to frame, this way you should be away from reflecting lights.

[UomodiRenaissance]

Thanks for the demo. I needed a diagram.

[Dmramex]

how do light though if you're going to move the camera for someone who is walking around the house?

[philldwill]

That's hard. Test, test, test. Shine lights off the cealing in all the rooms the character walks through. Place prop light sources around so when a character suddenly has more or less light on him you can give the credit to the prop light sources. Use the other technique the same. May be I'll have to make a tutorial, it's hard to explain in words.

[Dmramex]

lol yea. a tutorial would help. also would be a new addition since you havent added a vid in months.

[philldwill]

AHHH!!! Don't rub it in. I'm easily distracted.

[icebaby57]

great idea, so simple, thanks for that

[Dmramex]

so if im going to light my films, should i turn off my inhouse lightings??? is this a mandatory thing for most films?

[philldwill]

Sometimes. I'd suggest faking the light source, for instance if you have a lamp you like use it but put a weak 35 watt light in it, to help avoid white out. Place a high powered light off camera to light the actor. Just be careful to not let the lamp shade cast a shadow or else it looks super fake, I've done this a few times.

[Dmramex]

so this is what most filmmakers do? i gotta try it.

[misshangnguyen]

Good! simple and easy

[CRAZYconTHEsk8er]

that really helps, thanks! also, I don't know if this helps or not, but since with indoor lghting comes up red on video, I hear 250 watt lightbulbs r good becuase they come up as white light. I haven't tried them yet.

[elfthehunter]

Yes, a very good basic setup. What do you usually attach the lights to?

[philldwill]

I have like a million tripods so I just use those. Unlike me most people don't have a pointless amount of tripods so I'd think for the light reflecting off the wall you could just use a chair or stool. But for the hard edge light you'd want something taller so as the light is coming from a source that is equal to or higher than the actor. You could make a relatively cheap light stand made from PVC piping.

[tman1435]

good vid,thanks

[bernardthomchauke]

Thanks for the educative info

[larstead]

Kind of you to take the trouble to help others.

Well Done.

[mojojojo10]

thanks, always wondered how to go about lighting, now i know. Good vid.

[HumpskiProductions]

This seems to work quite well, I'll have to try it.

[pwnisher]

oh and do you really have to get a white board for every shot

[pwnisher]

got to get some of those

[pwnisher]

imformative, hmm. ill have to get some. do you have like a trolly and all that for your camera. I REALLY want to see your longer films.