photographers/videographers - shooting directsunlight?
 

I am working on some projects involving shooting outdoors. As we all know this can be tricky, there is such a large brightness difference from shadows to highlights that is is very easy to either totally burn out or on the opposite end to get frames which are way to dark..

I have done lots of outdoor photography which i have good grasp on, but still if you guys have some pointers, i will be glad to listen..

On video, I have tons of experience shooting inside in a controlled lighting enviroment, but not so much out side.. pls pls any pointers will be greatly appreciated. my GL2 has a polarizer filter, should i use this ? how about a fill light ?

ND filters and a fill flash for photo, and for video you can get ND filters too, and then I would assume some kind of fill lighting.

I use a polarizing filter when its too bright too, but thats only because I cant afford ND filters right now, although they are high on my list for this summer, got a few weeks befor shooting outside here is an option.

I have filmed outdoors a lot. When filming outdoors there are several things to do to help the overly bright sunlight. First a polarizing filter on the lens helps a little. If you are flexible, you can try to pick a day that is partially cloudy, with thin clouds high in the sky. That will cut down on the glare quite a bit. Or if you have a budget and crew, you can take direct control and put up a large silk stretched on a frame above the set you are filming on to dramatically cut down the brightness of the sunlight.

If a silk is too much trouble, then you may be able to pick a set that is in partial or full shade, like under a tree or in the shadow of a building and then you can reflect some sunlight into the shaded area with large reflectors to bring the brighness back up soo you can control the light level to some degree. if you have to film in the sunlight try to put the sun behind the models so they aren't blinded and reflect the sun back in the models faces from in front of them to light their fronts up better. The sun will act as a nice hairlight.

Position the subject well.

Use the direct sunlight as backlight, then fill in shadows with reflectors, can be white poly etc...

Try filming early mornings late afternoons when the light is weaker and warmer, and lower angle...

Use trees, leaves etc to break up light into softer forms...

Watch films like "Days of Heaven" to see great use of natural light...

Lastly, there is a very nice quality of sunlight that you can take advantage of before sunset when teh sun is lower in the sky that is commonly called the 'magic hour' that often looks beautiful, but it is fleeting and the light level drops off quickly afterwards.

this is great information..
yes i often shoot outdoor photos early morning or in the late afternoon so this probably will be my best option.
there are also shady areas but since it involves a pool in the set, i cant expect it all to be in the shade..
i like the idea with the silk screen etc.. where would i get this material etc ?
fill light for video.. any ideas.. i have a little c-lite i use but it might not be strong enough for filling in the shadows.. might have to get some reflectors on stands..any ideas where to get these ? i am thinking the ones make of hard plastic ?

Silks are expensive and need to be big usually. It needs a strong support framework to stretch it out and the stands likely need to be weighted down with sandbags especially if there is any wind! You need to go to a source that sells professional grip gear. Reflectors can be heavy and made of metal or plastic on heavy stands or you may even be able to make due with a handheld gold or silver reflector a few feet by a few feet in size and have someone hold it on set. Or you may even be able to substitute a large white piece of shiny cardboard in a pinch.

using electric light is very expensive as daylight is very strong, about 8,000 footcandles, to match that amount of light prof filmakers use 16kw HMI lights which have to be powered by generators etc....

but the good news is reflectors can be of equal power, a large mirror will reflect the full power of the sun back, this is very hard focused light but can be shone into trace or shower curtain to make soft light...Wooden sheets can be covered with silver foil to make cheap reflectors, or anything large and matt white will make a great fill light, in the UK film inductry white poly sheets used in building is popular as it only costs a few dollars. All this can be hired from local film lighting companies, if you hire a spark too he may well know more than many cameraman as he will have been on many many shoots...I hired a spark in Budapest and he had worked in the film industry there and was more enthusastic than me, always putting a little sparking in the eyes, or extra glint in the hair....

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