Night for day at DVinfo.net

Norman Szabo · January 3rd, 2004, 02:33 AM

Hi,

I need to shoot some night scenes in a forest setting where it won't be very convenient to use a generator and lights, so I was wondering about using the old film technique of shooting 'Day for Night', that is, just shooting in daytime and then 'darkening' the image in post.

Has anyone tried this with DV? Im sure it ought to be possible -- and it may even be quite easy?? but can anyone give me any hints/pointers before I start experimenting?

Thanks!

Norman

Frank Granovski · January 3rd, 2004, 05:38 AM

How about just using a blue filter when you're shooting?

Norman Szabo · January 3rd, 2004, 11:55 PM

Thanks Frank, that sounds like a good place to start! Are there any particular settings/strategies that would work best in terms of aperture, shutter speed or whatever? And are there any pitfalls I should watch out for?

(I confess Im something of a neophyte when it comes to cameras, so even very basic advice would be welcome!)

Norman Szabo · January 4th, 2004, 12:17 AM

Oh hey, I just found some useful looking info on Beale Corner, so if anyone else is looking for day-for-night tips, try this link --

http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/tips.html

(it's the last entry under 'production techniques')

Frank Granovski · January 4th, 2004, 03:09 AM

I've never done this myself, but from what I've read the pros use blue lighting, and if this kind of lighting is not possible, they use a blue filter.

Thanks for the link.

Rob Lohman · January 4th, 2004, 04:03 PM

A little search revealed quite a lot of threads on the subject:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18656
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=16138
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=14111
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=12931
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=12106

The last one seems to be the most interesting?

Rick Bravo · January 4th, 2004, 09:51 PM

Regardless of how you color your image, you want to keep an overhead sun as much as possible. This works to keep your shadows very short as opposed to your scene lightning becoming sourcey due to the long shadows pitched by low on the horizon sunlight.

It does present a logistics problem as far as scheduling the shoot and the "time over target" with your camera, but it will be well worth it in the end.

Good luck, RB

Norman Szabo · January 17th, 2004, 05:50 AM

Thanks everyone!

Ive done some testing based on the various suggestions here, and the bottom line is -- I think Im gonna have to do it at night and use lights!

The thing is, I can get an OK 'twilight' look pretty easily, but this scene is supposed to take place at the dead of night and it just doesnt look convincing. Also, lighting scenes using a lightsource that you can't move around (or that goes behind a cloud just as youre ready to shoot) is very limiting/frustrating!

The plan now is to try to use one of those butane gas-fueled camping lanterns and see if I cant get closer to the result I'm looking for. Anyway, here's hoping! And if anyone has any tips/experience using this kind of light source, Id be grateful for any suggestions.

January 3rd, 2004, 02:33 AM	#1
Norman Szabo Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Keelung Taiwan ROC Posts: 42	Night for day Hi, I need to shoot some night scenes in a forest setting where it won't be very convenient to use a generator and lights, so I was wondering about using the old film technique of shooting 'Day for Night', that is, just shooting in daytime and then 'darkening' the image in post. Has anyone tried this with DV? Im sure it ought to be possible -- and it may even be quite easy?? but can anyone give me any hints/pointers before I start experimenting? Thanks! Norman

January 4th, 2004, 04:03 PM	#6
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	A little search revealed quite a lot of threads on the subject: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18656 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=16138 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=14111 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=12931 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=12106 The last one seems to be the most interesting? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 4th, 2004, 09:51 PM	#7
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	Overhead Sun is your friend when shooting Day for Night. Regardless of how you color your image, you want to keep an overhead sun as much as possible. This works to keep your shadows very short as opposed to your scene lightning becoming sourcey due to the long shadows pitched by low on the horizon sunlight. It does present a logistics problem as far as scheduling the shoot and the "time over target" with your camera, but it will be well worth it in the end. Good luck, RB __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

January 3rd, 2004, 05:38 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	How about just using a blue filter when you're shooting?

January 3rd, 2004, 11:55 PM	#3
Norman Szabo Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Keelung Taiwan ROC Posts: 42	Thanks Frank, that sounds like a good place to start! Are there any particular settings/strategies that would work best in terms of aperture, shutter speed or whatever? And are there any pitfalls I should watch out for? (I confess Im something of a neophyte when it comes to cameras, so even very basic advice would be welcome!)

January 4th, 2004, 12:17 AM	#4
Norman Szabo Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Keelung Taiwan ROC Posts: 42	Oh hey, I just found some useful looking info on Beale Corner, so if anyone else is looking for day-for-night tips, try this link -- http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/tips.html (it's the last entry under 'production techniques')

January 4th, 2004, 03:09 AM	#5
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I've never done this myself, but from what I've read the pros use blue lighting, and if this kind of lighting is not possible, they use a blue filter. Thanks for the link.

January 17th, 2004, 05:50 AM	#8
Norman Szabo Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Keelung Taiwan ROC Posts: 42	Thanks everyone! Ive done some testing based on the various suggestions here, and the bottom line is -- I think Im gonna have to do it at night and use lights! The thing is, I can get an OK 'twilight' look pretty easily, but this scene is supposed to take place at the dead of night and it just doesnt look convincing. Also, lighting scenes using a lightsource that you can't move around (or that goes behind a cloud just as youre ready to shoot) is very limiting/frustrating! The plan now is to try to use one of those butane gas-fueled camping lanterns and see if I cant get closer to the result I'm looking for. Anyway, here's hoping! And if anyone has any tips/experience using this kind of light source, Id be grateful for any suggestions.