The Wandering DP Podcast The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #415 – Breaking the Light
Jan 2, 2024
The podcast discusses shooting a car insurance commercial on a budget, mastering car shoot lighting techniques, utilizing cowboy framing in cinematography, mastering outdoor lighting techniques, and enhancing contrast with big solids and overheads.
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Use Diffusion to Break Harsh Light
- When shooting outside with harsh light, use a large diffusion frame to soften the light coming from the side.
- Avoid shooting with perfectly backlit light, as breaking side light with diffusion yields better control and look.
Choose Lighting and Location Wisely
- Choose your shooting time to maximize the backlit effect, even when limited by budget and schedule.
- Select roads with shading or trees nearby to add texture and dappled light instead of wide open fields.
Expose for Highlights, Trust Cameras
- Set exposure based on the brightest element that will appear in frame, avoiding clipping.
- Rely on modern cameras' dynamic range to handle shadows inside cars even on bright days.