Coming to terms with Reality (Lighting Research):
- Natalia Muñiz Blasco
- Dec 21, 2021
- 5 min read
Hi everyone!
Lighting can be a dream or a nightmare, but either way, it is absolutely key for a music video or any moving image footage. The best way to prepare for it is to make sure it is not the enemy, but your friend, which is why I've done this research.
Hope you like this post!
xx Natalia
5 Lighting Creative Set-Ups:
This video covered several creative setups to create at home, some which were more and less relevant to my idea.
The first one was an average one for YouTube videos with a main key light and some background blur for the shot, which might be useful if I ever make a YouTube video to introduce any of the topics for my music video (such as the mise-en-scène).
The third one was very cool with two different lights (neon pink and neon green) and a solid backdrop for photography. I really liked the neon look as I am going for something similar to it in the bathroom scene. So far I only have one neon light but maybe I can use another softer source of light (such as a phone with a colour filter) to have this dual look that creates just the right ambience for that shot.
The fourth and fifth ones allowed me to get acquainted with adding haze (from a smoke machine) to create sunlight, and using a bounce light (from white cardboard, for example).
The last set-up was also great for product photography (in case I should need it for any of the pictures in the digipak, perhaps of a guitar...)
How to Shoot a Video in Bright Sunlight:
I will have to shoot in plain sunlight from some of my shots, for which it might be a good idea to know how to fade out the very bright shades of the sun.
I am unaware of how much sunlight we will get in February; however, I think I could use a white umbrella (a cheaper version of the more expensive equipment used to dim the light there) to avoid the bright exposure to the sun.
Another option would be to buy a camera filter, however, this option does not fit into my budget plan, unfortunately.
This video is also very technical, so I will have to also look at the details of the camera and how to dim the exposure both in the post-production and filming parts of the process. Although it might not be the ideal way to dim the light (as explained by the video) it might be the cheapest way to work around this issue.
Creating Artificial Sunlight:
This is one of the most helpful videos on how to create sunlight (which I will definitely need), but also one of the most disappointing in terms of how much equipment is needed.
Various sources of light (each with an individual source) are used at various angles to achieve the effects of depth and select shadows during the whole scene. Even from outside, there is a light being used and the sunlight is blocked to achieve exactly the desired lighting effect.
The use of haze is also notable here, conveying that it is commonly used to add to the effect of sunbeams bathing a scene.
Lighting for YouTube Videos:
This video really helped me understand the magic of lighting. He uses a key light and a fill light, both angled differently and at different intensities and hues (more white than orange) to achieve different light effects that look natural. The right side of the face is slightly brighter, conveying that natural feel.
He also uses a special light behind the desk with a blue hue and an orange light-bulb to give it the two-tone aesthetic colour palette. He finally uses blue light from the left to hit him slightly on the border of his face and shoulder, making his body stand out from the background and adding some depth.
This video is incredibly educational into the different lighting techniques, however, he is using five different sources of light, four of which are too expensive for me to even think of.
However, I will implement the theory of this video into whatever equipment I can use!
Creating Natural Light:
This video is quite interesting as the light looks very natural but it is perfectly angled with a spotlight that makes it look like the light is shining from an upper window.
However, the light is a very specific piece of equipment. I am thinking about perhaps renting a light if I see that I could really use with one.
Replicate Natural Light with Artificial Light:
This video is more dedicated to product photography. It portrays the nuances of using a harsher light and a larger softbox to then have softer light.
He also uses a cardboard with holes to make it seem as though there is light coming through a windowpane, and a bouncer to eliminate the harsher shadows. Then, he edits the picture to emphasise the colours.
From this video, I have definitely learned the magic of a bounce light and a filter, as well as how a softbox can eliminate harsh exposure. Again, for my digipak, I can perhaps use product photography, as well as implement this general theory into my shots.
"Is 100 Watts Enough to Create Sunlight?"
This video is perhaps the most useful in creating ambient lighting. I am thinking that I will need to ideally have a key light with a softbox for diffusion. Perhaps I can rent this for one day and it will not be too expensive. I then would need to test the shots in my setting and decide where it would be best to place the key light.
In the video, the different effects and lightings that can be achieved with only 100 watts are explained. The use of haze also adds texture, as well as some further post-production edits. Moreover, placing something in front of the light, such as some plants, or even some bedsheets as a diffuser can help achieve the different effects.
In the case of a close-up, more diffusion might be needed. And the closer the source of light is to the subject, the softer it will seem (if it is not too bright).
Reflection:
Watching several lighting videos for different purposes has helped me gain more knowledge of the complex world of lighting. Some equipment I have learned about are:
Key light
Fill Light
Bounce
Diffusion
Softbox
Haze
And some techniques that I have learned about are:
The importance of the angle, intensity and hue of the light
The different combinations of neon lights
How to add depth with a third "rim light"
How to add diffusion with haze, a softbox and a bouncer
The importance of the intensity and aid of a spotlight even when there is ambient lighting.
Now, I feel more prepared to tackle the lighting aspect of my music video. I have found a store near my house which can rent lighting equipment, and I will find out how much it costs to rent it, as well as some alternatives such as using my phone with colour filters to create other neon tones.
Stay tuned to find out how this goes!
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