Jaimie Blake

Thanks Laurent! I will push the gain on my camera so I can get a firsthand look. Very helpful! One more question - is noise only initiated when the camera is recording, or can it happen after the recording when the video is transferred to a computer? Thanks! :D

These lighting plans are great! Do you have more from other productions? It really helps my study to see the setup on paper in addition to the picture. Thanks! :D

Thanks so much for the info. It helped lot! :D

Thank you for responding so quickly! Can you please tell me what causes noise? Is it poor tape quality or does it have to do with camera settings? How is it remedied? Thanks! :)

Hello All! I have a question about video and color noise. I got these definitions from the Kodak website, but I do not totally understand them. Here is the one for video noise... "More commonly called "luminance signal-to-noise ratio." This is a measure of how pure the video signal is (the monochrome or black-and-white portion of the picture). Tapes with good luminance signal-to-noise ratios have sharper, clearer images. This property has even greater importance on multiple generation copies." And here is the one for color noise... "Better known as chrominance signal-to-noise ratio. A measure of how accurately the color signals are reproduced. Poor chroma signal-to-noise ratios are evidenced in color fringing on edges of objects and what appears to be thousands of moving dots in large areas of highly saturated colors (especially red). I understand that noise lowers the image quality, but I don't how to differentiate the difference between noise and other video issues. I would really like to recognize it if I saw it and not mistake it for something else. So, if someone would please expound a little bit on these definitions in simpler terms and refer me to a picture of each I would appreciate it. Also, is noise restricted to video or can film be affected as well? Thanks! :D

Thank you for your interest! The project was pushed back to the end of September, but I have been practicing the advice I received on a few friends, and I do have a much better understanding. Thanks again! :D

Thank you all very much. This answers all my questions. I am very grateful for this forum and appreciate you taking the time to help me. God Bless! :D

Thank you so much for your time. I will definitely keep those tips in mind while I work on the scene. God Bless! :D

Hello All! (I'm still new, so please bear with me.) I have been learning how to light for a single person with the key and fill and hairlight, but I am not quite sure how to light for a group without the lights canceling each other out. The setup is for an interior night scence, and four of the people are standing opposite three in conversation. The camera is facing their conversation (not over either group's shoulders). I would like the actors to have a more dramatic look. I wanted to use hard lights for contrast, but the lights spill on each other and the contrast is lose. Will you please give me tips for lighting a situation like this? How many lights would you recommend and where would you place them? Is it better to use softllight in a situation like this? I appreciate your feedback. Thanks! :D

Those were great! Thanks and please add more to the website. :D

Hello All, It is my understanding that the Minolta has been discontinued. Can anyone recommend another good meter in its place? Thanks! :D

Thank you Michael! I am studying hard light, soft light and composition also. I have some teaching tapes that I am going over as well. I am learning so very much just from these great sights. I have decided to start by putting the control items together that you all have mentioned and the Chinese Lanterns, seeing that no matter what type of lights I end up with, I will need them. Also, I have decided to start by renting lights to increase my learning before I purchase. I am excited about it! I really appreciate your input, especially the encouragement to work hard. I plan to! Thank you for taking the time! :D

Thanks Werner! I will definitely pick up the Chinese Lanterns. Another cinematographer mentioned those to me as well. I will also include the flags and gels on my shopping list. Also, I have the book you recommended, and I am going through it. Do you think two 300w lights would be sufficient to light a room during the day involving three actors? They will be sitting across from each other on a couch. Thanks Werner! :)

Thank you all for the sound advice! I will begin by working on the control items that Harry and Capt. Video spoke about. Also, I will consider a gaffer for the project! Thanks All! :D

Hi Harrry! Thank you so much that is very helpful. My budget was approximately $2,500. I was not sure if I should get a really inexpensive kit to practice with or try to get something of quality to keep. I wasn't sure if I had enough knowledge to make a decision. But, I have been checking out the ARRI lights. May I ask another question? For mostly interior lighting, what lights should I purchase in the ARRI kit? I was thinking of one 1000, two 650s and one 300. With the control material you spoke of, would that be sufficient to light indoor scenes? Are the ARRI lights better than the Lowel lights? Also are the fresnels better than the openface because the light is easier to control? I know these are very basic questions, and I thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions! You have no idea how valuable this is! :D P.S. please forgive the post before this one with your material quoted. This is my first time posting and I hit the wrong button! :lol:

Hello All! I just read a previous post from a few folk who were looking for advice on a lighting kit. I am doing the same! I just purchased my Panasonic DVX100B and am doing my first short. I am not a student, but am learning on my own, so most of my education is coming from lighting seminars and these great websites. I will not be shooting interviews, but narratives. Can you recommend a light kit for beginners? Thank you so much for your time! :D