Simon Walsh

Not sure if this helps but I own a 400w DivaLite and have had the same problems. The switch for 4 lamp and 2 lamp only works correctly if all tubes are properly inserted and the dimmer is turned up to full. The tubes tend to fall out of their connections when you transport it. Just swap some tubes around and if your still having trouble one of your tubes might not be working properly, the DivaLite will only light on 4 bank if every lamp can power up. Regards, Simon Walsh.

Hi all, I know I should really test this but as always budget won't allow it and was hoping someone had done it before me. I'm shooting a short student film in about 3 weeks on S16 using mostly 7218 and 7217. Most of it takes place at night (the reason for the high speed stock) and I'm working out my lighting designs at the moment. My question (one of many I'm sure) is that will a daylight balanced kino look far too blue on tungsten film. I'm probably going to be using it for general fill to simulate a subtle and soft cold moonlight. I've done it before on Video and it looked great but was wondering how well it will come up on 500T. I really liked the look I got from the video shoot and want to stay away from tungsten with blue gels if possible because it always seems to end up looking like I've put blue gels on something (that and I lose exposure). I'm hoping it isn't too strong to cancel out any of my more orange tungsten light (there are a lot of orange gels and orange lamp shades in the scene). Guess I just want to know what to expect and what precautions I should take? Well that was a mouth full. Help appreciated. I'm using a KinoFlo 4 bank DivaLite if that helps so it shouldn't be too huge. Regards, Simon Walsh

Hi all, Just a question on a technique I'm interested in trying out. When shooting interiors I read a lot of DOPs put 'tracing paper' over windows that have an unwanted background or just want to hide a light that is directly outside. What is the process involved? Do you use actual large sheets of tracing paper like a graphic designer or an Architect would, or do rental houses have a specific grade of paper as expendables? Do you usually put them outside the window on a frame or c-stand or do you just stick them directly to the window frame itself? Phew, a lot of questions but I guess in short I'm just asking what process you guys go through if you are to use "tracing paper" on set? Regards, Simon Walsh Student Cinematographer

Hi all, I read somewhere that if you slightly overexpose by 1/2 to 2/3 a stop then you'll get less grain in the image and richer colours. I understand the richness but I always thought that if anything the grain would become even more dense. I'm confused. Simon Walsh Student Cinematographer

Hi all, I constantly come across this issue where my subject is close to a wall or in a corner where there is little or no room for a backlight. I shoot low budget interiors on location so there is no room to rig lights from above like in a studio set up. What do you guys think of using a small LED ropelight lining the backwall behind a character to gain further definition of a subject. Is this a good idea? do you see any problems? Anyone else got a different solution to this? Regards, Simon Walsh Student Cinematographer

Recently there have been a few posts concerning eyelights, in paticular the use of rope lights. My question is where do I find rope lights? what kind of stores stock them? (I mean those lights that come in a PVC type tube that they commonly use in nightclubs and shop windows). Also, a member posted an image whereby they had wrapped a rope light around the lens barrel to get the surreal look in a character's eyes where they have beads of light surrounding the iris. What's the best way to acheive this? Simon Walsh Novice DOP

Ok, so I just finished shooting a short and have a few rolls left over that I want to use to shoot another one! I'm shooting on 16mm using Kodak colour negative stocks. 1 roll is a Daylight balanced 250D 400ft roll. I want to convert this to Tungsten balanced using an 80A filter or similar. My question is what will be the loss in stock speed and change in T stops once the filter is used? The can says that with an 80A filter it will go from 250 speed to 64?? Please don't let this be true, i'd find it impossible to expose to such a low speed. Simon