[Daniel Schultz]

Hi Todd (& others).

Here’s a link to the video I shot a few weeks ago.
https://www.scholastic.com/administrator/education-videos/education-leaders/

I’m interested in honest feedback, the good and bad. Helps me for next time.

A couple notes.

Classroom was the most difficult to light. Too much light coming in from windows giving harsh highlights and too much contrast, then light fall off as you go deeper away from the windows. HMIs were coming from the same direction as the windows. Since there was some strong direct natural light, I just shot the joker up at the ceiling.

I liked the interview lighting the best, I think. Overall, I tended to over-expose–not so used to this camera (ex1). Did a little color correction in Color, trying to fix a few highlights.

Also, anoying background hum during interviews. Live and learn. Should’ve asked them to turn off the a/c.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for all your help. This is the best forum!

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Thanks, Todd.
BTW, here’s a screen from the school shoot the other day with the HMIs.

1624_screen.jpg.zip

The interviews were easy. The classroom was hard. I guess no surprise there.
Here’s an example of one of the interviews. Just pointed a diffused joker at her with a bounce card on the other side of her for fill. Lots of ambient sun light in the room.

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Actually, that’s really helpful. I work at Scholastic, so a lot of what we do is in schools. In this case, it’s a custom video with a client that works with particular public schools, so it wouldn’t work.

But…even so. Offering a donation of $200 of books probably would have gone a long way in this case. I should have thought of that.

And for other shoots that aren’t linked to a particular school, I would love the idea of having a regular school that we could use that we know the layout and lighting, etc. I’ll keep it in mind, for sure.

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Dennis, thanks so much. I’m going to make an appointment with my tattoo parlor and have it inked onto my forearm. Just below “mom forever.”

In all seriousness though it helps me feel validated in doing what I really want–to plan like crazy!

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Well, I sent her a note on Friday asking for a room with windows, and a number of other things, including contact info and address. Her reply was to type the address. That’s it. No hello/goodbye or any info about anything. Sorta typical of our communications. So I think at this point it’s pot luck. I guess I’m trying to ride the line between getting the info I need and not being a PITA and turning her off. (This shoot was set up a by a client, not the school, so the school doesn’t have a lot of vested interest in it).

But I’m sure I have plenty to learn as far as having the clout, sense of entitlement, and clear thinking to ask (demand?) what’s needed to make it successful. Thoughts?

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Hi Dennis,

I wish I had that opportunity. Would love to have done a scouting shoot and done everything you suggested. But I’ve gotten little info back from the Principal who has, in her mind, more important fish to fry, like running the school. So in a word, no. But that would make me feel a lot more comfy if I had.

Thanks, Dan

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Thanks. And I will never ever ask any more questions about this shoot. Ever. I promise. (I’ve been told before, rightly so, that I plan/obsess too much.)

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Todd,

Is this what you had in mind? A couple differences:
1. 1.2 fresnel inside for the back highlight splash, since I don’t think I can do the outside light.
2. Joker bug 800 has a diffuser screen rather than a softbox.

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

OK….so I rented the joker bug as well. Shoot’s monday. If I can’t get it outside, can I do the same thing with the joker just inside the windows? Any other suggestions for the joker if I use method 1? General fill bounced off ceiling?

Dan S.

[Daniel Schultz]

Todd, thanks to you, I’m much more excited (than scared) of my first HMI experience. I think I remember you saying in a former post a while ago how using HMI for the first time marked a significant change in your potential to get results you’re happier with. Looking forward to working with more light than I ever have–and that great, daylight-balanced light, that will mesh with the window light so nicely.

Thanks again!

Dan S.