over bright face highlights at DVinfo.net

Robert Bobson · February 9th, 2012, 05:56 PM

sometimes when lighting a face for an interview, the highlight reflections off the face seem almost blown out, but adjusting the exposure or moving the light back doesn't seem to help. I've assumed that some people just have more reflective skin than others?

Now I'm wondering if the diffusion on the light isn't wide enough to soften it enough to spread out that reflection?

any suggestions?

Chris Medico · February 9th, 2012, 06:46 PM

Keep some oil control powder in your camera bag and some of the little oil blotter papers too. Work wonders on shiny spots.

Les Wilson · February 9th, 2012, 10:22 PM

A field monitor with False Colors gives you a realtime readout on exposure. It tells you exactly what the IRE is on each reflection. Using it will make what's going on more obvious. Sounds like you are dealing with the dynamic range of your camera. That is, for some faces, if you dial down the exposure because of the highlights, the rest is underexposed? THere may be other color profiles and gamma settings that could help. What camera are you using? You mentioned a soft light source. What are you using for that?

February 9th, 2012, 05:56 PM	#1
Robert Bobson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 585	over bright face highlights sometimes when lighting a face for an interview, the highlight reflections off the face seem almost blown out, but adjusting the exposure or moving the light back doesn't seem to help. I've assumed that some people just have more reflective skin than others? Now I'm wondering if the diffusion on the light isn't wide enough to soften it enough to spread out that reflection? any suggestions?

February 9th, 2012, 06:46 PM	#2
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: over bright face highlights Keep some oil control powder in your camera bag and some of the little oil blotter papers too. Work wonders on shiny spots. __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

February 9th, 2012, 10:22 PM	#3
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: over bright face highlights A field monitor with False Colors gives you a realtime readout on exposure. It tells you exactly what the IRE is on each reflection. Using it will make what's going on more obvious. Sounds like you are dealing with the dynamic range of your camera. That is, for some faces, if you dial down the exposure because of the highlights, the rest is underexposed? THere may be other color profiles and gamma settings that could help. What camera are you using? You mentioned a soft light source. What are you using for that?