-
White Background WorkFlow: InCamera Meter Throws It All Off.
I know when shooting a white background I have to light the background and subject separately.
1. Turn on Background Lights
Read Background: Overexpose by 1 stop (Reading based on in camera metering)
2. Turn off Background Lights. Turn On Subject Lights.
Read Subject: UnderExpose by 1 stop as per Philip Bloom Instructions (Reading based on in camera metering)
3. Turn on all lights.
Result. InCamera meter is reading super overexposed.
Subject overexposed. Background slightly overexposed.
What’s the point of metering separately if I’m going to have to eyeball it all later!
Video Proof
Color Corrected Subject. Background Turned Grey
Final Cut
Added a slight color correction to the white matte to match cropped out area and got this.
Questions
What should the camera say when all the lights are on. Overexpose?
Should I not overexpose background by 1 since it overexposes when all the lights are on.
Should I underexpose the subject by 2 since it overexposes.I’m testing these today but just wanted to know what everyone else does. Can anyone offer a workflow that doesn’t involve purchasing a $300 light meter. Im Po’. Not even Poor – Po’ ;-).
Space. Uber tiny. Ceilling 9 feet. Space between background and talent 6 ft. Distance from talent to camera 8ft.
-
4 Replies
-
Wow, the bloom is off the white rose.
Seriously, that’s no fun and I’m sorry you are not getting the results aligned.
IT might be that you will have to use your spidy sense because in camera metering isn’t always dialed in dependent on focus mode, (spot etc.) and other what if’s.
My lizard limited experience suggests a Fader Grad, and possibly a used analog incidence meter. I picked one up for 70 bucks last year.
Does anyone have one or another of either you might borrow to get through the project?
DSLR’s have good metering but…
Perhaps someone else might have better advice.
Have you tried the manufacturer’s forums? Almost a camera (photo) question perhaps?
Good luck,
Rob
-
you just need to set the white point. don’t create a curve, just move the top point to the left or use an eye dropper in color finesse for white point. This way you’ll keep contrast and detail. Keep metering separately because you need to record an acceptable exposure latitude that your camera can pick up fine detail. Then the white point gets adjusted in post to match the white board. For example: legal broadcast luma value.
https://technicolorsoftware.hostzi.com/
-
I’m puzzled about your question. You metered the subject, right? Why not go manual on that reading and ignore the light meter when everything’s on?
—
Joe Shapiro
Director / Freelance FCP Editor
206-420-6411https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1497731/
https://JoeShapiro.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoo_(film)
https://NWFilmForum.org/PoliceBeat -
Wow! Thank you all.
I’ve been playing all weekend and am getting close.
I ended up just eye balling it after turning all lights on. With all the lights on, the camera sez it’s overexposed. I just adjust even though I metered for both zoned separately.
Thank you all.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up