Lighting Techniques
In this task, we tested different types of lighting that can
be used for photography and filming. We were asked to test high-key lighting,
low-key lighting, coloured lighting gels and lighting cookies.
High-key lighting
High-key lighting describes a scene that is brightly lit –
using three lights from different angles to eliminate shadows. We used three
LED photography lights on tripods in our setup: one acting as our main light
(pointing at the subject) and two as fill lights (positioned on either side of
the subject.) When setting up the shots, we carefully adjusted the fill lights
to eliminate as many shadows in the photo as possible.
The results of our high-key lighting photographs were
overall successful; however, we did have some issues with focus. In future, we
should double check the focus of the shot, before and after shooting.
Low-key lighting
Low-key lighting uses dark lighting conditions for effect. Often,
low-key lighting only uses a single source of light, meaning that the camera must
be set up carefully to avoid grain in the image (for example the ISO must not
be too high.)
Low-key lighting can be used to focus the viewer’s attention
on a particular element of a scene. For example, a light placed underneath the
subject’s face creates shadows, giving a ‘creepy’ effect. The film ‘Casablanca’
often uses low-key lighting to set the mood.
Our group used low-key lighting to illuminate a face from
below. We combined this with a red coloured gel – creating a photo fit for a
horror movie!
Coloured Gels
Coloured gels are thin pieces of coloured plastic, that can
be placed in front of a light source to change the light’s output colour. When
using high-key lighting, a different coloured gel can be used for each of the
fill lights, meaning that each side of the subject is lit in a different
colour.
Our group experimented with different coloured gels and
tried using different colours for each of the fill lights. We also tried
adjusting the colour temperature of the lights, with gels in place, and found
that adjusting the colour temperature made little difference to the colour
output.
Lighting Cookaloris
A lighting cookaloris (or cookie) is a piece of material
that has a pattern cut out of it. When held in front of a light source, the shape
of the cookie creates a shadow. For example, a cookaloris could be used to
create shadows of bars, to create the illusion of a prison cell.
Our group struggled to make the shadow of a cookaloris
visible to the camera. After doing some further research, it appears that we
were holding the cookaloris too close to the light source; for best results the
cookaloris should be around three metres away.
Camera Techniques
In this task, we investigated the differences between a
single and multicamera setup. We filmed the same scene using both methods and
compared the results.
Single Camera
Single camera films use one camera to film from different angles.
Therefore, each scene must be filmed several times, in order to get enough
coverage (the amount of footage used to capture a scene.) This makes single
camera productions more time consuming, which generally leads to increased
costs. However, single camera productions are generally favoured by directors,
as they allow for greater control over lighting and positioning of cameras.
Our group experimented with single camera techniques, by reading
from an extract of a script. The scene was recorded from two different angles. We
had to consider continuity, as the same shot was taken multiple times. For
example, we ensured that the actors and props were in the same position. For this
task, we used one Canon DSLR camera and a tripod.
Multi Camera
Multi camera films use several cameras; enabling several angles
to be recorded in one shot. Films and TV shows which require a quick turnaround
often use this method, as it is much faster than filming with a single camera.
Our group filmed the same scene using a multi camera setup. We
positioned the cameras in two different angles – one behind Ben and Erin and another
pointing towards Ben’s face. To ensure consistency in our shots, we set both
cameras to the same settings. In terms of equipment, we used two Canon DSLRs,
and two tripods.
Sound Techniques
We experimented with
different microphone setups and their differing sound quality. To do this, we
read from a script in an outdoor environment (demonstrating the variation in
background noise.)
First, we recorded
audio with a Canon DSLR’s inbuilt microphone. This recording had significant
wind and background noise and had a limited frequency range – resulting in a
poor audio recording.
Next, we used a Tascam
DR-05 portable audio recorder. The audio quality was improved, in comparison to
the camera’s inbuilt audio, however there was still significant wind noise present.
Finally, we tried a
Tascam DR 60D recorder, paired with a boom microphone. The Tascam DR 60D
recorder directly provides phantom power to the boom microphone and includes a
tripod mount, allowing it to be mounted underneath a camera on a tripod. Recording
with the boom microphone resulted in far improved audio quality, and a
reduction in wind noise (due to the use of a microphone wind shield.)
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