Rooted in Realism
Invisible cinematography is actually quite advanced, and here's how I tackle it.
Julia Swain
Lighting for Beauty
Julia Swain changes up her shooting style for a Chantelle Paris production.
‘Game of Thrones’ Darkness Wasn’t a Problem at All
TVT’s own lighting expert discusses why a recent episode chose to go darker.
The Beauty of Top Light
The beauty of lighting from above is that you get a supply of ambient light, which many sets and locations naturally call for.
Smaller Units Can Make a Big Difference
We all want huge, powerful lights on set, but we have to keep in mind the beauty and versatility of small units as well.
Lighting For Open Locations
With advancing lighting technology, there are some beautiful daylight LEDs on the market that can be used to extend light throughout daytime interiors.
TV Tech Experts Preview the 2018 NAB Show
No one goes to an event like the annual NAB Show without doing their homework first.
Lighting for ENG
When shooting in the style of electronic newsgathering, especially as a solo journalist on location, there is so much to take into consideration.
Lighting the Scene From Different Directions
Getting your key light just right can get complicated when considering the blocking of the actors, the space and what units you have at your disposal.
Using Light Meters as Creative Tools
We have a lot of tools to measure exposure, but to me, the light meter is the simplest and truest.
Exterior Scenes Can Present Challenges
A big misconception in our industry is that daytime exteriors are the easiest time to shoot because of the amount of available light.
Taking Advantage of Practicals
Something that seems a bit underestimated is the power that practicals have.
Lighting for Freeform Shooting
I stopped doing documentary production when I moved to Los Angeles and had since been doing narrative and commercial, so when I was suddenly presented with a documentary series where I was not allowed to bring many lights, I was very intrigued.
The Versatility of LEDs: RGB, DMX
As most of us are experiencing new lighting technology, physical gels are slowly becoming obsolete with new LEDs.
New Lighting Players at 2017 NAB Show
I try to head to the NAB Show in Las Vegas every year, and this year was probably one of the best experiences I have had.
Tackling the Art of Key Lighting
Key lighting seems like the simplest idea when setting up a scene with light as it’s the main light on the subject.
The Versatility of Effect Lighting
There are a few categories or functions of light when calling for a specific unit to be used in a scene.
Lighting and the Camera—Getting It Right
One mark of a good cinematographer is someone who truly understands how to utilize both the capabilities of their camera and their lights together.
Light Plus Color Equals Different Moods, Effects
Color temperature is one of the many properties of light that we can change and take advantage of when it comes to shooting.
Keeping Affordable Lighting in Your Kit
If you are going to invest in equipment as a cinematographer or lighting technician, lights are a good way to go.
Space, Shape Affect Lighting Techniques
Some cinematographers and lighting technicians can get into a situation troubleshooting a setup and overthink the approach.
Exploring the Power of Omnidirectional Lights
In general, we appreciate lights with direction.
The All-Important Players in Lighting
We cannot deny how quickly lighting technology is advancing, nor how certain technologies are taking over and replacing those of the past.