Tuesday, May 24, 2011

What Lighting Should You Use To Shoot Inside With A Camcorder

Camcorders don't have much flexibility, and require specific conditions to capture quality footage.


Camcorders provide a relatively cheap and simple method of shooting video indoors and outdoors. Unfortunately the lenses on these devices often capture footage that turns out blurry, grainy, washed out or otherwise undesirable. Although most camcorders will never match the look of professional-grade video cameras, changing how you light an indoor scene can significantly improve the final look of the footage.


Daylight Vs. Electric Light


Natural sunlight and electric light have different color temperatures, and a camcorder will make the subtle difference more obvious, making daylight appear more blue and electric lights appear more orange. To avoid awkward lighting contrasts while shooting indoors, use entirely natural lighting from nearby windows, or block all the room's windows and use only electrical lights.


Avoid Low-Light Conditions


Even high-end camcorders often have trouble shooting in low-light conditions, recording footage full of grainy noise and motion blur. To keep your footage crisp, light the entire space thoroughly. Because every camcorder has a different light sensitivity, shoot test footage and view it on a large television or computer screen to check for noise and then tweak the lighting as necessary.


Diffuse Lights


Diffuse lights are lights with a larger source area, such as wall sconces that bounce light off of walls, open windows and paper ball lights. Lighting with diffuse sources makes shadows softer, and results in much more flattering footage when shooting faces. Avoid harsh lights such as bare light bulbs and flashlights, as the harder shadows cast by these lights make subjects look less attractive and add additional contrast.


Contrast


A concern of lighting and d cor, scenes with high contrast will tax the camcorder's sensor and leave portions of the shot blown out or underexposed. Avoid shooting with an open window or blank white wall in the background, and keep the lighting on your subjects even with the lighting on the background for a more even look.

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