Digital Cinematography Lighting
Tips and Techniques
Tips and Techniques
Here we will discuss lighting for digital formats
Tips
Underexpose slightly: This retains details in the highlights. Digital cameras have less dynamic range than film so are not as able to hold as much detail in the highlights. A slightly underexposed image can be recovered, and over exposed one cannot.
Do not rely on the monitor: Many people think that because they can see the image instantly that they do not need to use any other forms of exposure checking. Always use Zebras, Histogram or Waveform monitor to check the exposure of the image.
For help with under standing the histogram visit here
Tips
Underexpose slightly: This retains details in the highlights. Digital cameras have less dynamic range than film so are not as able to hold as much detail in the highlights. A slightly underexposed image can be recovered, and over exposed one cannot.
Do not rely on the monitor: Many people think that because they can see the image instantly that they do not need to use any other forms of exposure checking. Always use Zebras, Histogram or Waveform monitor to check the exposure of the image.
For help with under standing the histogram visit here
Creative White Balance: The cameras white balance can be use creatively to either warm up or cool down the look for an image. However most cinematographers prefer to shoot 'clean' so 3200k for tungsten lighting and 5600k for daylight shots. Then grade the footage in post-production. A LUT (look-up table) can be used on some production monitors to give the footage that 'look' without effecting the raw image that is recorded.
More Sensitive: Most digital cinema cameras and DSLR's are alot more sensitive to light than film. This means that the amount of lighting and power required for a shoot is greatly reduced. However this does not mean that you can get away with not lighting. But natural lighting and practicals can be used more creatively than on film.
Use ND Filters: ND filters can be used to reduce the sensitivity of the camera which helps when stopping down the lens aperture to reduce depth of field. Graduated ND filters can be used to stop down bright parts of a shot. Such as the sky. Helping reduce over exposure whilst keeping the rest of the shot correctly exposed.
No Whip Pans: Many New cameras are using CMOS sensors as apposed to CCD. This makes the cameras less power hungry, more light sensitive and cheaper to produce however CMOS sensors create skew problems where the image skews when the camera is panned quickly. Knowing how the camera responds to certain situations can help with planning shots. This only applies to CMOS cameras as CCD scans differently.
Light Meter: For those of you interested in using a light meter when shooting video watch the video below for a great explantion.
More Sensitive: Most digital cinema cameras and DSLR's are alot more sensitive to light than film. This means that the amount of lighting and power required for a shoot is greatly reduced. However this does not mean that you can get away with not lighting. But natural lighting and practicals can be used more creatively than on film.
Use ND Filters: ND filters can be used to reduce the sensitivity of the camera which helps when stopping down the lens aperture to reduce depth of field. Graduated ND filters can be used to stop down bright parts of a shot. Such as the sky. Helping reduce over exposure whilst keeping the rest of the shot correctly exposed.
No Whip Pans: Many New cameras are using CMOS sensors as apposed to CCD. This makes the cameras less power hungry, more light sensitive and cheaper to produce however CMOS sensors create skew problems where the image skews when the camera is panned quickly. Knowing how the camera responds to certain situations can help with planning shots. This only applies to CMOS cameras as CCD scans differently.
Light Meter: For those of you interested in using a light meter when shooting video watch the video below for a great explantion.
