Light Source: A Dose of Reality
The firelight flickered against the cabin wall, warming the cool blue light of the full moon filtering through the tattered curtains. Suddenly the ominous blue then red flash of police lights filled the small room and Carson knew his game was up. Suddenly the director yells "Cut!" and the camera...
Getting Started: Shooting on Sunny Days
Shooting video outdoors is often a two-edged sword. On the one hand, you can take advantage of wide open spaces, beautiful locations, and the brightest light source around: the sun. By contrast, however, there is the unpredictability of nature, which can translate into a lack of control over your...
Light Source: Three-point Lighting for Multiple Talent
In past columns we have explored the many ways to use lighting to enhance video productions. We have discussed three-point lighting and the various elements that make up good lighting. Most of these columns focused on lighting for one talent. However, what do you do if you are lighting...
Light Source: Color Correcting with Gels
Have you ever looked at your video after you returned from what seemed to be a perfect shoot, only to find your footage is blue and you can't really see the city skyline as well as you thought? Or what about that beautiful wedding shot in the ski...
Video Lighting: Guerilla Lighting
For the past few months we have discussed various ways to approach lighting, from using reflectors and three-point scenarios to dramatic lighting techniques. We have talked about the placement of lighting equipment and how to get the best lighting for any given situation. But, what do you do...
Light Source: Lighting Backgrounds
Often the difference between a good shot and a great shot is the background. More often than not, videographers pay scant attention to their backgrounds because they're busy worrying about lighting the person they are shooting. Many times you'll find that you barely have time to select an appropriate...
Dramatic Lighting Livens up Videos
There was a time when dramatic lighting and video production were mortal enemies. Early video cameras needed so much light to create a clean picture that it was nearly impossible to create the dramatic lighting effects found in motion picture dramas. That time has passed into a distant memory....
You can make every video you produce better looking with some basic lighting knowledge, a little imagination and a willingness to experiment. Ross Lowell, founder of Lowell-Light Manufacturing, suggests that there are several goals when planning lighting for a video. According to Lowell, lighting is used to enhance the...
Light Source: The Power of the Sun
Have you ever watched a movie and marveled at the sunlit scenes and dramatic "natural" light effects? Have you ever wondered how directors achieved the rich warm glow that fills a scene with dramatic serenity? For years, film and videomakers have utilized the sun and its array of light...
Hi8 on the Go and in Control CCD-TRV65 Hi8 camcorder ($899) Sony Electronics One Sony Drive Park Ridge, NJ 07656 (800) 222-7669 www.sony.com The Sony TRV-65 is a Hi8 camcorder that does a nice job balancing price and features. The TRV65 has all the core functions of the more expensive Sony TRV models, but it's more affordable...
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