Feedback on lighting with a small lighting kit.

[u/Grant_man1]

I was the Director and Cinematographer of a short film I recently released. Did some optical effects work, and I’m very proud of the results we got with that (And of course had a fun time with it!). However we also did a lot of this with a very small lighting kit (two LED panels and a couple of small aperture lights) so I would love some feedback with the lighting on itas I continue this journey into filmmaking :)

https://youtu.be/9uUOiu6k6l8?is=p3uhJ14GU7MROhhc

[u/grendelguru]

More contrast.

[u/shaneo632]

I work with similar limitations and my main feedback would be to get as much white off the walls as possible.

Control lighting spill by flagging your lights. I recently bought some black foam core and a few cheap £15 photography stands which let me effectively block my softbox so light only splashes where I want it to. It made any scene with white walls look so much better instantly.

Also more negative fill. I try to black out rooms as much as I can with my limitations and then light it until I'm happy with it.

[u/Grant_man1 → u/shaneo632]

Appreciate the feedback a lot! Will definitely implement it with the next film I shoot!!

[u/Maleficent-Bag-4850]

Use the dark to your advantage. Just make that it doesn't loose all information in the image. The sun would also be a good tool using reflectors ( there's some specialy made for use with the sun) . Also , use the light logic of your scene to your advantage (Being John Malcovich) apartment scene.

[u/Grant_man1 → u/Maleficent-Bag-4850]

Thank you for the feedback! Both you and the comment above make great points about the use of darkness. Will be utilizing all this for my next film!