16mm B/W lighting

Daniel Pratt · November 21, 2006

Hello All,

I have been asked to DP a 1min short in b/w. The whole film is of a man driving in a car at night and the director wants a contrasty, moody sort of feel. The 'master' shot is a mid shot from the front drivers fender and will make up a bulk of the film. My plan is mount a dedo with ND6 or 9 on the dash to simulate dash lights, and a dedo behind the drivers seat as a back light. My questions are, what stock would you suggest, what pitfuls should i watch for and anything to take into consideration shooting b/w as i have never touched it before.

Regards

Daniel Pratt

Chris Dingley · November 21, 2006

Hey, I just Dp'd my short film. we shot a billiards game. if you want the whole contrasty thing try a yellow-15 filter or a yellow-2 that should do the trick. and if your shooting at night a ND filter wont help very much.

Daniel Pratt · November 22, 2006

Hey, I just Dp'd my short film. we shot a billiards game. if you want the whole contrasty thing try a yellow-15 filter or a yellow-2 that should do the trick. and if your shooting at night a ND filter wont help very much.

Thanks Chris,

By the way i didn't mean an ND on the lens i meant on the dedo. even though they're only weak if it's 2ft from the drivers face it might by a little too contrasty.

Cheers dan

Daniel Madsen · November 22, 2006

Dedo lights are quite sourcey. I'd suggest bouncing it into something- maybe a white card on the dash board or ceiling.

Shooting in black and white, you will also find yourself using a more conventional lighting scheme (ie. key, fill back light) to get proper seperation.

There is not one type of color filter that insures a contrasty image. It all depends on the colors that dominate the scene.

Brian Drysdale · November 24, 2006

Is the car driving in the city or in the countryside? What do you see in the background? Where are you placing/mounting your camera? Are there source lights coming in from outside? Are you trying to recreate the look of a certain period?

You don't need filters on the camera for a contrasty look, you do this with the lighting.

Brian Baker · December 10, 2006

Thanks Chris,
By the way i didn't mean an ND on the lens i meant on the dedo. even though they're only weak if it's 2ft from the drivers face it might by a little too contrasty.

Cheers dan

If you have access to it, I'd suggest Mini KinFlo units... they give a nice little punch (great for eyelight) for a very compact unit. It also comes with an adapter for a car lighter.

I've only shot 7222 with B&W -- and have been very happy with the results. Theres a lot of latitude to play around with, which would help for your (presumed) low lighting for the night scene.

Best of Luck,

BtB