Where should the key be? HMI moonlight

[Jason Anderson]

On the left of my scene are tall pine trees, to the right of the scene is a steep rise with no trees. My actor will be walking up a snow covered path in between the rise on the right and the trees on the left.

 

I have a 4k Fresnel HMI and a 800 kobold HMI par. Both will be on combo stands and possibly in a c-plus configuration.

 

How should I light this, would it work better rake the light across the path from behind the trees, or put the lights up high on the ridge to the right. What has been your experience do trees look better back-lit or front lit?

[Bob Hayes]

I think I would go for the up on the hill and back light the pack. Then I would shoot toward the trees and keep the hill out as much as possible. It will be easier to get the lights where you want them on the hill.