Mixing light sources at DVinfo.net

Kevin Lewis · March 30th, 2011, 09:12 PM

I typically shoot with a lowel tungsten light kit. I have a shoot coming up where there are florecent lights in the celing that will not be able to be turned off during the shoot.In addition, there are some windows that I will not be able to cover. Will I have any issues with mixing the light sources if I manually white balance? The alternative is to rent a florecent kit. Thoughts?

Oren Arieli · March 30th, 2011, 10:06 PM

Controlling the ambient is going to be your biggest challenge. Even if you white balance on the subject, you can get some odd color casts from the surrounding sources. If you can flag the overhead lights and put a heavy blanket between the camera and the window (assuming the window is behind you. Then your tungsten kit should do the trick. How much of the background do you need to show? Can you gel the overheads? Can you use the window light to your advantage? Without seeing the room, there isn't much more I can offer. I would suggest walking in with a 'plan-a' and a 'plan-b'.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Take production stills and use them as a learning / teaching exercise.

Gary Nattrass · March 31st, 2011, 02:36 AM

Situations like this are not ideal and as said if you can control the ambient light that would be good, I also have a hybrid white balance setting on my camera of 4,300k if I need to do a quick set-up in mixed lighting.
Not ideal but at least it gives me a mid point if I need to grade any shots later.

Kevin Lewis · March 31st, 2011, 07:15 PM

Hi Oren. Unfourtuneatly geling the lights will not be an option nor is blocking the window. I may just rent a florecent light kit. Thanks for the input Gary.

Garrett Low · March 31st, 2011, 08:05 PM

Hey Kevin,

Even if you rent some Flo's they probably won't match the flourescents in the ceiling. Get some plus green gel for your tungsten lights and it should help to match to ambient from the overhead lights. Look at Rosco #3315 ro #3316.

As for the sunlight if it's from your back and it's even enough though out the space, when you white balance you it should be acceptable. I usually take a manual WB reading and then tweak it to taste.

Good luck,
Garrett

March 30th, 2011, 09:12 PM	#1
Kevin Lewis Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, pa Posts: 705	Mixing light sources I typically shoot with a lowel tungsten light kit. I have a shoot coming up where there are florecent lights in the celing that will not be able to be turned off during the shoot.In addition, there are some windows that I will not be able to cover. Will I have any issues with mixing the light sources if I manually white balance? The alternative is to rent a florecent kit. Thoughts?

March 30th, 2011, 10:06 PM	#2
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: Mixing light sources Controlling the ambient is going to be your biggest challenge. Even if you white balance on the subject, you can get some odd color casts from the surrounding sources. If you can flag the overhead lights and put a heavy blanket between the camera and the window (assuming the window is behind you. Then your tungsten kit should do the trick. How much of the background do you need to show? Can you gel the overheads? Can you use the window light to your advantage? Without seeing the room, there isn't much more I can offer. I would suggest walking in with a 'plan-a' and a 'plan-b'. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Take production stills and use them as a learning / teaching exercise.

March 31st, 2011, 07:15 PM	#4
Kevin Lewis Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, pa Posts: 705	Re: Mixing light sources Hi Oren. Unfourtuneatly geling the lights will not be an option nor is blocking the window. I may just rent a florecent light kit. Thanks for the input Gary.

March 31st, 2011, 08:05 PM	#5
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Re: Mixing light sources Hey Kevin, Even if you rent some Flo's they probably won't match the flourescents in the ceiling. Get some plus green gel for your tungsten lights and it should help to match to ambient from the overhead lights. Look at Rosco #3315 ro #3316. As for the sunlight if it's from your back and it's even enough though out the space, when you white balance you it should be acceptable. I usually take a manual WB reading and then tweak it to taste. Good luck, Garrett __________________ Garrett Low www.GLowMediaProductions.com

March 31st, 2011, 02:36 AM	#3
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: Mixing light sources Situations like this are not ideal and as said if you can control the ambient light that would be good, I also have a hybrid white balance setting on my camera of 4,300k if I need to do a quick set-up in mixed lighting. Not ideal but at least it gives me a mid point if I need to grade any shots later. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/