Just like photos, lighting for video is an essential skill that not only helps you get the right exposure, but sets the mood for the frame. This excellent video tutorial will show you four different nighttime lighting setups sure to add a lot intrigue to your shots.
Coming to you from Aputure, this helpful video tutorial will show you four different nighttime video lighting setups. The focus is on experimenting with different lighting approaches, highlighting the complexity and creativity involved in shooting in the absence of practical lights like city lamps or streetlights.
The first method explored is "day for night," a technique where scenes shot in bright daylight are color graded to mimic the darkness of night. The challenges here include dealing with a bright sky during the day and the option of sky replacement in post-production. To tackle this, filmmakers often resort to sky replacement or strategically frame their shots to exclude the sky. The technique also involves manipulating the camera's white balance, shifting it towards cooler tones to simulate the natural night light. This approach is particularly effective in creating a mysterious or suspenseful mood, as the subtle manipulation of natural light can create intriguing shadows and depth, lending an eerie or secretive feel to the scene.
Another key strategy discussed is introducing practical light sources into the scene, like a lantern, to illuminate the subject. They use a B7C bulb in a lantern to create a believable glow, demonstrating how adding practical lighting can significantly enhance a night scene. This approach is particularly useful when there are no natural light sources available.
Another compelling method discussed in the video is the introduction of practical lighting sources, like lanterns, into the scene. This technique is vital when shooting in locations devoid of natural or city lights. In the video, the filmmakers demonstrate using a lantern with a B7c bulb to simulate the warm, ambient glow of a candle. This kind of lighting not only adds realism to the scene but also helps in creating a specific mood. For example, the warm, flickering glow of a lantern can evoke a sense of intimacy, warmth, or mystery, depending on how it's used within the scene's context.
Throughout the video, the emphasis is on how different lighting techniques can significantly impact the mood and narrative of a scene. From the suspenseful undertones achieved through "day for night" filming to the warmth and intimacy of practical lighting, the video shows that the right lighting choice can profoundly affect the storytelling in filmmaking. Be sure to give it a watch above for the full rundown.
