From Studio to Outside at DVinfo.net

Pat Beverly · May 9th, 2011, 08:49 PM

I want to shoot outside with my 550D with the 50 1.8, but as for lighting, what do you recommend? I only have a set up studio lights shown here:

LIGHTS: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/500422-REG/Interfit_INT117_Super_Cool_lite_5_Two.html

Strobe or perhaps a small external generator?

Bill Davis · May 10th, 2011, 12:01 AM

No way to tell.

"Outside" can mean any of a thousand things. Bright? Cloudy? Shade? Full sun? Dark area towards light? Light area towards dark? Shooting an elephant? Or a piece of jewelry? Or a school class? Or a building? or, or, or, or, or...

Basically, you're going to have to assess how bright the bright stuff in your frame is. Compare that to the not as bright stuff. Figure where the sun is coming from (If the sun is even in play) then decide if you can ignore the sun (as on an enclosed fully shaded porch) or if you can BOUNCE the sun with reflectors, or if you've got to FIGHT the sun with added lighting.

That last one is pretty difficult, since the sun is VERY, VERY bright, and typically only expensive and powerful instruments such as high-wattage HMIs have the power to balance out shadows cast in open sunlight.

The place to start is to do some tests at the time and facing the same direction you're planning for your shots and look at the results paying particular attention to the shadows you get.

Cameras are NOT as sensitive as the human eye, and what your eyes and brain can capture as detail in the shadow areas like overhead sun-lit human eye sockets and shadows cast from trees, etc, nearly all cameras will see as dark, detail free black holes in your scenes.

Brian Drysdale · May 10th, 2011, 02:03 AM

Yes, if you want to film in daylight, reflectors are the most cost effective means of doing this. They are available in various grades of reflection from hard to soft and in many sizes.

Are you talking about shooting night exteriors with these lights?

May 9th, 2011, 08:49 PM	#1
Pat Beverly Tourist Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 1	From Studio to Outside I want to shoot outside with my 550D with the 50 1.8, but as for lighting, what do you recommend? I only have a set up studio lights shown here: LIGHTS: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/500422-REG/Interfit_INT117_Super_Cool_lite_5_Two.html Strobe or perhaps a small external generator?

May 10th, 2011, 12:01 AM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Re: From Studio to Outside No way to tell. "Outside" can mean any of a thousand things. Bright? Cloudy? Shade? Full sun? Dark area towards light? Light area towards dark? Shooting an elephant? Or a piece of jewelry? Or a school class? Or a building? or, or, or, or, or... Basically, you're going to have to assess how bright the bright stuff in your frame is. Compare that to the not as bright stuff. Figure where the sun is coming from (If the sun is even in play) then decide if you can ignore the sun (as on an enclosed fully shaded porch) or if you can BOUNCE the sun with reflectors, or if you've got to FIGHT the sun with added lighting. That last one is pretty difficult, since the sun is VERY, VERY bright, and typically only expensive and powerful instruments such as high-wattage HMIs have the power to balance out shadows cast in open sunlight. The place to start is to do some tests at the time and facing the same direction you're planning for your shots and look at the results paying particular attention to the shadows you get. Cameras are NOT as sensitive as the human eye, and what your eyes and brain can capture as detail in the shadow areas like overhead sun-lit human eye sockets and shadows cast from trees, etc, nearly all cameras will see as dark, detail free black holes in your scenes. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

May 10th, 2011, 02:03 AM	#3
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: From Studio to Outside Yes, if you want to film in daylight, reflectors are the most cost effective means of doing this. They are available in various grades of reflection from hard to soft and in many sizes. Are you talking about shooting night exteriors with these lights?