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Shadows – how to minimize
Current project has several interior office scenes that have VERY harsh shadows… almost as if the gaffer used just a key light and no fills. None of these, of course, are lock-down shots. The camera is constantly moving (as are the actors) and the shadows of the actors are very distinct on whatever “wall” is behind them.
Is there any way (other than telling the director to re-shoot these scenes) to soften the shadows of the actors?
Because of all the movement, I’d really rather not undertake the massive effort of rotoscoping the shadows out (unless that’s my only option).
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
— Sue Lawson
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9 Replies
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[sue_l] “Is there any way (other than telling the director to re-shoot these scenes) to soften the shadows of the actors?”
To have a professional colorist or VFX artist re light the scene can easily be several days worth of work. It’s not likely that these shadows can be reduced without rotoscoping each shot. And it’s possible that these shadows can be “fixed” at all with any acceptable image quality.
Arnie
Now in post: Peristroika, a film by Slava Tsukerman
https://www.arniepix.com/blog -
True. A lot of work if you want it to look good. You can always send the scene to Color and do it there… but I dont see how it can be done without rotoscoping. It could be easier to raise the overall black levels and apply masks to the faces of the actors – modify the blacks there and rotoscope.
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You can’t be serious!
Kill the Director and DOP.
Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Director-At-Large
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group -
Thanks guys! Each one of you is right — although Steve, yours is really a last resort! ;-D
— Sue
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Lyric has a ‘shadow and highlight’ filter that can help with pulling detail from shadows; and it’s free!
https://www.lyric.com/fcp-plugins/demo.htm
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Hear Hear for the Lyric Shadow Highlight FREE plugin. I work on docos so I use this filter a lot to get shadow details back in. Sometimes it seeems like turning on a small fill light on a shot or a reflector. It is a great plugin as it can also bring down blown out highlights as well.
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Thanks to both of you who suggested the “shadow and highlight” filter from Lyric. I’ve used it before for washed-out footage.
In this case, what I’m trying to do is either eliminate or greatly reduce the actors’ shadows on the wall.
I’m not sure it will do the trick in this case, but I’ll play around with it a little more and see what magic we can work.
Thanks!!!
— Sue
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Reducing a cast shadow on a wall – no. The filter is great at lifting shadow detail but won’t solve your particular lighting problem. Sorry if I misunderstood your issue.
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Oh well. Thanks anyway!
— Sue
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