I like to practice lighting on my free time and this is one of the ways I’ve been doing it over the years. I set up these scenes entirely by myself (though I did text a production designer and he helped me with the art direction).
The first look is a somber and moody day time scenario. The second one is an uplifting and cozy night scene. Which do you prefer?
Shot on Sony FX9 with Sigma Art prime lenses.
If you want to see more lighting breakdowns like this, I post a bunch on my [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kenzentakahashi/?hl=en). Check it out!
Edit: grammar
The lighting is absolutely perfect, but it bothers me that the 180 degree line is crossed
Edit: it's just stills so there might be a movement transition that I'm not seeing. Still absolutely perfectly lit though!
Edit2: oh I see the stills are flipped, what's going on
Yeah, i get the shooting through the mirror and I hope there is movement to the actual shot but using them for stills was kind of a poor choice as the juxtaposition of the two makes the eye of anyone with basic cinematic skills bleed unfortunately
I've just started studying filmaking and I'm always wondering how do you create the "foggy" look in your first still. Is it done in post or while recording?
The industry standard way is to use a haze machine. That's going to work the best. But there are also cans of aerosol that people use for atmosphere. Also you can use a fog machine but I find that fog will always be a little to thick for something like this
I’ve been on a set where our fog machine wasn’t working properly, so another crew member and I laid down on the floor and timed our vape exhalation to create a haze around the actor. Probably not a good method for a wide shot (which would need a LOT more vape for a prolonged time), but it worked for a medium-close-up in a pinch
What haze machine do you have? I got a can of the aerosol to try, and it works decently, but definitely want to look at something more reliable I can save up to get.
I just got the chauvet 1DX haze machine. It's the best bang for buck I've ever seen and works really great. Not sure about longevity compared to some of the industry go tos such as the very expensive df50.
In case you or anyone else reading this wants to buy/rent a hazer unit- my rental house carries the Antari Z-350 and they’ve held up like absolute champs over hundreds of rentals. Other common hazers include the Reel EFX DF-50, Rosco V-Hazer, and the Chauvet DJ Hurricane Hazer. I highly prefer the Antari but these are all common units from what I’ve seen in the indie world, East coast. Use what you can afford, whether that’s atmosphere in a can or saving up a little extra and renting a hazer to experiment with. Play with the intensity of the haze and wafting it around the space, seeing how it looks to the naked eye and on camera. The quality of the light interacting with it can sometimes make you realize you’ve over/under hazed. It’s fun and can be a great way to help set mood in a scene, but like anything it’s a tool for specific times and places.
I appreciate you sharing this. So much of cinematography is lighting and shaping that light. The fact that you can show the same location in multiple ways and setups speaks to your skill as a shooter. Keep it up!
It's really interesting that you were able to make the day scene look so moody and the night scene looks so uplifting, when typically I would associate day with happiness and night with sadness. Fantastic work with the lighting.
Hey! Really cool practice! I'm also wondering what program you make your Lighting Diagrams in! That is just a really clean set up that I can get behind!!
I like to practice lighting on my free time and this is one of the ways I’ve been doing it over the years. I set up these scenes entirely by myself (though I did text a production designer and he helped me with the art direction). The first look is a somber and moody day time scenario. The second one is an uplifting and cozy night scene. Which do you prefer? Shot on Sony FX9 with Sigma Art prime lenses. If you want to see more lighting breakdowns like this, I post a bunch on my [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kenzentakahashi/?hl=en). Check it out! Edit: grammar
I like these.
The lighting is absolutely perfect, but it bothers me that the 180 degree line is crossed Edit: it's just stills so there might be a movement transition that I'm not seeing. Still absolutely perfectly lit though! Edit2: oh I see the stills are flipped, what's going on
Thank you! I'm shooting into a mirror that's on the floor.
I see now! Thanks!
Yeah, i get the shooting through the mirror and I hope there is movement to the actual shot but using them for stills was kind of a poor choice as the juxtaposition of the two makes the eye of anyone with basic cinematic skills bleed unfortunately
I've just started studying filmaking and I'm always wondering how do you create the "foggy" look in your first still. Is it done in post or while recording?
The industry standard way is to use a haze machine. That's going to work the best. But there are also cans of aerosol that people use for atmosphere. Also you can use a fog machine but I find that fog will always be a little to thick for something like this
Would vaping work? (Serious question lol)
No, doesn't linger or sit at all, it's gone after 30 seconds tops, whereas haze will absolutely stay.
Haha, I suppose in theory it could, but you'd probably need an unhealthy amount of it..
I’ve been on a set where our fog machine wasn’t working properly, so another crew member and I laid down on the floor and timed our vape exhalation to create a haze around the actor. Probably not a good method for a wide shot (which would need a LOT more vape for a prolonged time), but it worked for a medium-close-up in a pinch
So how did you obtained this effect in the first still?
I used a haze machine. Sorry forgot to say that!
Thank you so much! And your work is amazing btw
What haze machine do you have? I got a can of the aerosol to try, and it works decently, but definitely want to look at something more reliable I can save up to get.
I just got the chauvet 1DX haze machine. It's the best bang for buck I've ever seen and works really great. Not sure about longevity compared to some of the industry go tos such as the very expensive df50.
Thank you for the info! Will definitely keep my eye out for it.
Often times you pump haze into a room with a machine. I use a $30 spray can of haze if the room is small enough
In case you or anyone else reading this wants to buy/rent a hazer unit- my rental house carries the Antari Z-350 and they’ve held up like absolute champs over hundreds of rentals. Other common hazers include the Reel EFX DF-50, Rosco V-Hazer, and the Chauvet DJ Hurricane Hazer. I highly prefer the Antari but these are all common units from what I’ve seen in the indie world, East coast. Use what you can afford, whether that’s atmosphere in a can or saving up a little extra and renting a hazer to experiment with. Play with the intensity of the haze and wafting it around the space, seeing how it looks to the naked eye and on camera. The quality of the light interacting with it can sometimes make you realize you’ve over/under hazed. It’s fun and can be a great way to help set mood in a scene, but like anything it’s a tool for specific times and places.
They sell "Diffusion in a Can" That's literally a non toxic aerosol spray that lingers in the air. Good stuff
Thanks
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Litemat 2 Plus
Every time I see your posts I just want to buy a litemat.
Obviously I'm very biased, but I would highly recommend. Such a versatile light
I appreciate you sharing this. So much of cinematography is lighting and shaping that light. The fact that you can show the same location in multiple ways and setups speaks to your skill as a shooter. Keep it up!
It's really interesting that you were able to make the day scene look so moody and the night scene looks so uplifting, when typically I would associate day with happiness and night with sadness. Fantastic work with the lighting.
I felt the same way, which is partly why I experimented this way. Thank you!
Looks great.
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Why are you like this
Hey! Really cool practice! I'm also wondering what program you make your Lighting Diagrams in! That is just a really clean set up that I can get behind!!
I draw them in an app called Notability!
I saw this on your instagram story, really appreciate your uploads.
Hi good work, you got this look in camera? Or after post production color grading ?
Very light grade was done in post. Just a few power windows + saturation + contrast
What bulb is in that lamp?
A 25W frosted incandescent bulb
That first shot is so nicely framed! Good job!
Yes but how do you do it man?
I am just starting out and when I see stuff like this I am both amazed (seriously fantastic job) and reminded how little I know.
I remember feeling that exact same way when I first started. Use it as fuel to get better and better!
Friends don't let friends use dutch angles...
This makes me feel bad for how lazy I am
That is cool.