How did Deakins light this?

Tiago Pimentel · April 11, 2021

Hi,

I was curious about the shot below. intuitively, it feels like the window is casting a shadow on the wall, but at the same time the frame of the window is casting a shadow on the curtains, which to me suggest the window is being lit from the inside. Can anyone break this lighting setup or your personal approach to this?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AnJ0-Ts6gh4/hqdefault.jpg

Stephen Sanchez · April 11, 2021

Looks like a practical lamp inside and hard light outside shooting in. The frame shadow is casting on the inside curtains, so the source is outside.

The hard source outside is low enough to light up the curtains to the ceiling, which can explain why the frame shadows are not lower. I think the light is at eye-level or lower as if from car headlights.

Jim Perry · April 12, 2021

I think Stephen is correct but I'm guessing you haven't checked out the forums at www.rogerdeakins.com where you can ask him yourself. Great forums and podcast.

Also - I just ordered an Eiko 500w bulb for $5 for just that purpose.

Edited April 12, 2021 by Jim Perry

Raymond Zananiri · April 12, 2021

I think there is another light above/behind the practical and out of frame that is lighting the actor. You can tell that by the shadow on his reaching arm. Also, the practical alone would have lit the entire room more than that. The light on the actor is more controlled.