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Sunday, March 30, 2008
Most digital camcorders provide automatic aperture control (often called exposure). The aperture is the part of the camera that controls how much light is let in through the lens. It expands and contracts depending on light conditions, much like the iris in the human eye. But all the automatic controls in the world won’t make up for a poorly lit scene. Basically you are going to need several key bits of gear to better light your scene:
- Lights: Right about now, you’re probably thinking, “No kidding.” You can buy professional lights if you wish, but you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get good lights. Fluorescent shop lights are affordable and provide good-quality light, as are halogen work lights available at many hardware stores.
- Backdrop material: For some shots, you may want a backdrop behind your subject. You can make a backdrop frame out of pipe or cheap 1x3 pine boards (also known as furring strips) from your local lumber yard, and then tie, clamp, or staple the backdrop material to the frame.
- Clamps: While you’re at the hardware store buying lights and backdrop stuff, pick up some cheap spring clamps. Clamps can be used for holding backdrops together, holding lights in position, or playfully clipping unsuspecting crew members as they walk past.
- Extension cords: You’ll need to plug in all your fancy lights somehow.
- Duct tape: If you can’t do it with duct tape, it probably can’t be done! I like to use duct tape to secure extension cords to the ground so that they aren’t a trip hazard.
- Translucent plastic sheets and cheesecloth: Get these at your local art supply store to help diffuse and soften intense lights.
- Reflective surfaces: Use poster board, aluminum foil, or even plastic garbage bags to bounce light onto your subjects. Crumple foil to provide a more diffuse reflection, and tape the foil or plastic bags to boards so they’re easier to handle. Lights get hot, so use care when handling them after they’ve been in use for a while. Also, if you use plastic, cheesecloth, or other materials to diffuse light, position those materials so they aren’t too close to hot lights.
