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Response to Lighting

from Ewen Wallace (walkabout@freeuk.com)
Lighting is all about controlling the direction, intensity and sharpness of light sources. Don't forget the old inverse square law - moving a light a little bit can make a big difference.

Things like barn doors, gobos, flags and assorted stuff to control direction, cast shadows, diffuse and generally muck with light make the difference. Use backlights when appropriate, which is 'usually'. Think about motivations - why is there light coming from there ? Lighting has continuity too.

Colour temperature is relative. Try white balancing a film camera. It is the differences in colours that look really bad or really good. A little is a lot. A small collection of 1/16 & 1/4 & full blue (and a few assorted others) gels will generally get you the colours. I use big steel paperclips to clip gels to barn doors etc. Wooden clothes pegs just burn. Use pliers when they're hot or you'll lose your fingerprints. No barn doors - be creative.

Electrical safety should be your first concern, above all. Use circuit breakers and understand FULLY power issues such as current loads.

Read & experiment. Lighting is a creative process and has styles. Keep spare bubbles. Be prepared to buy the obligatory carton of beer if you knock a lamp over on set.

:-) Ewen

(posted 8904 days ago)

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