Lighting Table with minimal shadows « Videomaker Community Forums

dblan9
Member

I am trying to light a table and I am having problems eliminating shadows. I have a table that is in front of a Green Screen. The green screen is lit fine and is not a problem. The table will ultimately seem as though it is in front of a window and it is morning. The problem arises because I have to move objects around on the table. I have a small box of fruit in the back left corner of the shot and then I set a glass down. After the glass is set down a piece of fruit is removed from the box by a hand from the right side of the screen. I am producing unrealistic shadows on either the glass or the arm depending on how my lights are setup. Can Anyone offer any advice? Thanks.

Posted 1 year ago #
Don
Member

to be honest this sounds like one of those situations where I'd build an actual set. a wall with a window and lighting (or Greenscreen behind the window) to mimic the outdoor morning scene, then use a large softbox above the table to light the table..

but either way you need one large softbox to mimic the type of light one might expect to see reflected off a white ceiling as the main light then some kind of fill light to control contrast.

remember your greenscreen and you subject need to be lit seperately!

Posted 1 year ago #
dblan9
Member

Thanks Don.

I was thinking of floating my reflector disc with the white side over the table and bouncing light off that. I dont have a C-Stand with a Gobo Arm to put a soft box over the table. How similar would the effects be with a reflector disc? The cameras frame is not tall so I could have the disc relatively low over the table.

My green screen is lit separately. That is the one thing I am able to control right now. I just threw out a double window frame last summer that was sitting in my garage for two years waiting for this exact moment. D'oH!

Posted 1 year ago #
Don
Member

well the reason I'd go with a set is because I'm better with lighting and construction than I am with special effects... it seems to me that any reflections on the glass and flatware on the table is gonna have to reflect the surroundings... so a lot of work if all they're reflecting is green...

as for the glass table, my rule is you don't light a shiny surface, you light whatever is reflecting OFF the shiny surface so for a glass table you're gonna want something really big so any reflections from the camera angle look as if there was a ceiling..... so whether you have a ceiling and light it, or fake it with a softbox or some kind of diffuser... like say a bedsheet stretched across a 1x2 wooden frame... it needs to look right in camera.. does that help?

Posted 1 year ago #
signmax
Member

Hi,

Glossy white surface reflect at least 98% of incident light, you can apply on table surface a dull spray finish removable water base paint or cover with white mate vinyl this is used for TV studio to avoid light flash or bouncing (interior sign vinyl) or cover the table with white tissu this cut the reflexion or diffuse the reflexion.

Just few ideas the best solution is to cut the problem.

Regards,

YR

Posted 1 year ago #