How to capture in this situation. at DVinfo.net

Kelly Langerak · July 8th, 2010, 12:53 PM

I get these shots a lot. Where I try to get the sky blue, but not bring the iris too far down to where their is little light on their face. I haven't tried color correcting it yet, but i was wondering what filters you use to get a nice blue sky but still have light in the foreground. I will add a light from now on, but do you guys use any filters to help with bright sunlight as well?

Khoi Pham · July 8th, 2010, 01:02 PM

You can not use filter the way you frame this shot, the only thing you can do is use daylight balance video light or reflector.

Liam Hall · July 8th, 2010, 02:40 PM

A polarizing filter can help make the sky bluer, but they can cause other problems. Blue skies are really easy to do these days with color correction, I'd go that route.

What this shot desperately needs is some fill light. Get yourself some reflectors, even a large piece of foam-core would help enormously. No need for electricity...

Peter Manojlovic · July 8th, 2010, 06:22 PM

I understand your scenario. But if you can't use reflectors, and you're a run'n'gun situation, colour correction in post is probably your only hope.
I would key out the hue of the sky, and simply add the required colour.

Polarizer filters are nice, but i simply don't have the time as a one man show to be screwing filters on and off....

Bill Pryor · July 9th, 2010, 03:24 PM

That's a shot where an on camera light might not be a bad idea. Flolight.com has a nice one:
http://www.flolight.com/microbeam-256.html . A small HMI, like an Arri 200 on a stand would be better, but more expensive.

Kelly Langerak · July 9th, 2010, 04:20 PM

Thanks for all your replies.

Noah Yuan-Vogel · July 9th, 2010, 09:21 PM

Filter options might be Low Contrast or Ultra Contrast filters, and in camera highlight tone priority or -4 contrast will help as well. As others have mentioned, polarizers might lower the light level of the sky by reflecting some skylight if the sun is in the right position. Additional lighting could also increase the foreground light level but making it look natural like ambient fill in the shade would likely require a lot more than a small led light. A big white blanket on the ground or a big carefully aimed reflector/bounce might help fill more than a portable LED in daylight outdoors.

July 8th, 2010, 12:53 PM	#1
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	How to capture in this situation. I get these shots a lot. Where I try to get the sky blue, but not bring the iris too far down to where their is little light on their face. I haven't tried color correcting it yet, but i was wondering what filters you use to get a nice blue sky but still have light in the foreground. I will add a light from now on, but do you guys use any filters to help with bright sunlight as well?

July 8th, 2010, 01:02 PM	#2
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	You can not use filter the way you frame this shot, the only thing you can do is use daylight balance video light or reflector. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

July 8th, 2010, 02:40 PM	#3
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	A polarizing filter can help make the sky bluer, but they can cause other problems. Blue skies are really easy to do these days with color correction, I'd go that route. What this shot desperately needs is some fill light. Get yourself some reflectors, even a large piece of foam-core would help enormously. No need for electricity... __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

July 8th, 2010, 06:22 PM	#4
Peter Manojlovic Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 769	Secondary colour correction I understand your scenario. But if you can't use reflectors, and you're a run'n'gun situation, colour correction in post is probably your only hope. I would key out the hue of the sky, and simply add the required colour. Polarizer filters are nice, but i simply don't have the time as a one man show to be screwing filters on and off....

July 9th, 2010, 03:24 PM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	That's a shot where an on camera light might not be a bad idea. Flolight.com has a nice one: http://www.flolight.com/microbeam-256.html . A small HMI, like an Arri 200 on a stand would be better, but more expensive.

July 9th, 2010, 04:20 PM	#6
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Thanks for all your replies.

July 9th, 2010, 09:21 PM	#7
Noah Yuan-Vogel Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 613	Filter options might be Low Contrast or Ultra Contrast filters, and in camera highlight tone priority or -4 contrast will help as well. As others have mentioned, polarizers might lower the light level of the sky by reflecting some skylight if the sun is in the right position. Additional lighting could also increase the foreground light level but making it look natural like ambient fill in the shade would likely require a lot more than a small led light. A big white blanket on the ground or a big carefully aimed reflector/bounce might help fill more than a portable LED in daylight outdoors.