Difference between revisions of "Lighting in the LJW Studios"

Revision as of 00:16, 27 May 2014

Overview

The LJW Studios at KDHX are positioned on the south side of the building, with all natural light being provided from due south as well.

The light in this room changes continually with the hour of the day and the season, not to mention the weather conditions at the time of the shoot.

This document will provide photographs that illustrate some of the lighting issues that you will be dealing with during a video shoot, proven angles that work well in different lighting situations and other obstacles you may encounter shooting in the LJW studio.

Windows to outside

The LJW Studio has three large windows located on the south wall, each with a blackout shade and pulley.

If the camera is pointed in the direction of one of these windows, you can see that it begins using all of it's power to focus on what is located outside, and leaves the objects in the room very dark and shadowy.

One of the most basic rules of photography is for the sun to be behind the photographer, not behind the subject.

This photograph was taken less than one minute later, and from the southwest corner. By eliminating the windows from the view, the lighting and coloration is much improved.

Partial windows in shot

Even including just a partial bit of the window in the shot drastically reduces clarity, coloration and natural flesh tones.

VERSUS

Notice that with the window in the shot, you begin to see shadows on the subject's face, dis-coloration and grainy image quality.
The photo on the right with no window has a clear image with realistic color and flesh tones, and is well lit.

Placing performers in front of outside windows

Here are some examples of badly lit subjects and color, due to placing the performers in front of these windows, or including the windows in your shots. (Clicking on these images will display larger versions for closer study.)

Drummer in the corner and the "hot-spot"

Due to the layout of the studio, and the proximity of the control booth, both audio engineers and drummers gravitate toward the southeast corner of the studio, which is located right in front of a window. This position receives the harshest daytime light, and often creates a "hot-box" of white glare that creates obstacles to obtaining a clear, well lit, naturally colored image.

Here are some examples of harsh light and the "hot-spot" hitting the southeast corner of the room. (Clicking on these images will display larger versions for closer study.)

Lounge doors and control room windows

Due to the limitations of wall space in LJW, a group of 3-4 people is about all that can be squeezed into the desired brick background.

For larger groups, the videographer will need to be creative in his placement, attempting to avoid the outside windows as described above, and dealing with some of the challenges that arise when placing subjects in front of the lounge's sliding glass doors or the control room windows.

The biggest issue with putting subjects in front of these windows is the possibility of people behind the glass getting into the shot.

Also, during certain times of the day, the glass surfaces can become reflective, and the harsh glare can be distracting and confusing for the viewer.

Closing the blind on the window inside of the lounge can help to cut down on this glare somewhat.

Night shoots and closed blinds