DavidSloan Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Hi guys: I've been on a few shoots where, for a night exterior, the DP had a grip spray water sporadically, on the ground. Does this help in exterior night shooting? Do the little puddles reflect light, or something? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Kevin Zanit Posted September 21, 2004 Premium Member Share Posted September 21, 2004 I really like the look of a wet down. It creates some texture and life to what would be an otherwise black void (in the case of asphalt). It reflects your light sources, and because most of the light hits the water in an "edge" position, they tend to go hot so one needs to stay on top of that. I think it is an effect to be used sparingly. Some guys use a wet down in the day, but I don?t really care for that look (unless it?s motivated by rain). Kevin Zanit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Tan Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I remember being told in school that if you have a really dark frame with a lot of underexposed areas, it helps to have even the slightest bit of highlight. It just makes the frame seem more balanced (light wise). Headlights, mirrors, water on the ground... They reflect of produce hot spots to balance off the dark bits. On another note... water on the road is also good when you've got lots of crazy car manuevers in the movie. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Phil Rhodes Posted September 21, 2004 Premium Member Share Posted September 21, 2004 Hi, Hell to deal with in video, since the hilights tend to be so hot. I like to use softish, largish sources to combat this - like this: (That's a behind-the-scenes photo from a shoot I did so it isn't lit for the shot, but it shows the effect) Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidSloan Posted September 21, 2004 Author Share Posted September 21, 2004 Thanks a lot for your input, guys. Thanks for posting the picture too, Phil. @Kevin: is "wet down" the proper term for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos M. Icaza Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 I have heard both "Wet Down" and "Water down". Watering the road during the day as well helps you reflect light. One of my colleages who did a shoot not long ago, told me that at most you might get up to 20% reflection of light from watered down street. He also said to me that since most Hollywood films do it, he might as well too. :lol: They do help relfect light and they do help in giving a 3d space to the road. C.- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Larson Posted September 22, 2004 Share Posted September 22, 2004 One film where this wasn't done is "Election". Alexander Payne wanted everything to look drab and ordinary. He even shot through dirty windshields. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Salzmann Posted September 22, 2004 Share Posted September 22, 2004 For me most if not all night scenes where the ground is seen means a "wet down" Obviously if the film is in a desert location I'd seriously think twice about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Laurent Andrieux Posted September 22, 2004 Premium Member Share Posted September 22, 2004 What if funny about this effect, especially by day, is that, when it's not a rainig shot, you don't figure out the ground is wet, it just looks better (texture...), not wet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hayes Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Wet downs can really help during the day also. Sometimes there is an area in your frame that is too bright for the scene. Like a sunlit sidewalk. If you wet the area it may darken and not even look wet. It?s a great trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riku Naskali Posted October 5, 2004 Share Posted October 5, 2004 Our teacher said, "why settle for one light, when you can get another one for free" :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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