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02/20/2006 02:44:11 PM · #1 |
Just wanted to touch on some things about the language of photography.
I started my career in KC,MO, USA. Took a right turn into Nashville,TN,USA, and ended up in Hollywood,CA,USA.
I have seen differant uses of terms put into a sentance, and wondered if anyone knows really what they are saying, or , if what is being said is correct, but termed differantly.
For instance, between England, and America, (let me know you English cats if I am wrong, it\'s been a while since I\'ve worked with you guys.), a \'pup\' in English termonology is the same thing as a \'baby\' in American termonology. It is a 1k fresnel.
A \'Lighting Cameraman\' in England is the same as a \'Director of Photography\' in America, (which by the way is always \'DP\', not \'DOP\'.)
Here in Hollywood, as far a lighting is concerned, the basic language of lighting is universal in all the markets that I have worked in. United States, Mexico, Baltics, Russia, Czech Republic, France.
From the still shoot, to the music video, to the full length epic motion pixr that I have worked on over the years, the language has always been the same as far as the lighting was concerned.
I know that I am going to get those of you that insist that what you are saying is gospil. I am not going to change anything with this thread, so hold onto that confidence and your knowledge of lighting.
All I am about to do however, is share the language I speak at work when lighting is concerned, and maybe, if anyone really gives a damn, someone will learn something from this.
First of all, the term \'Available Light\' has two meanings at work depending on the DP.
1= Natural Light
2= All available light that is not working off of the truck and put to use on the lighting setup.
To me, a basic 3 light set up is...
Key= Your main light \'keying\' the subject matter. Usually in front of the subject, giving the base f stop to the frame.
Back Light= A light that is place behind the subject matter, highlighting the subject, and seperateing the subject from the bg.
Fill Light= Any source of light, either directly, or using a bounce or reflector, that \'fills in\' the shadows of the subject. Usually placed at a 45 degree placement favoring the front of the subject.
Other terms we use...
Catchlight= Using a mirror, a small lighting instrument, or a bounce, or reflector to \'catch\' the light from one of the basic three instruments, and placing the caught light somewhere in the frame.
Eye Light= A small lighting instrument that is rigged with a snoot, and then cropped with tape to make a rectangle of light. The light is focused on the eyes, highlighting just the eyes.
Spill Light= Any light that is spilling offending light within the frame.
Edge Light= any light that gives an edge on the subject, or prop.
Pool of Light= Any light that creates a \'pooling\' effect on the floor, or wall. Usually pools are good to highlight from above the main subject, or props.
Skip Light= when taking any light, and skipping off the ground, off of a bounce card, foam core, or reflector.
Bounce Light= taking any light, and \'bouncing\' off a card, foam core, or reflector that is attached to a stand.
Wash of Light= Is usually your key light, but not always. \'Washing\' your subject matter with a flooded focus of the light.
Soft Light= Using any kind of diffusion, on any light, (net,paper, wire, cloth), to create a softer looking light.
Hard Light= When there is no diffusion, or bounce of any kind focused onto the subject matter.
Fresnel= (fer-nel), a lighting instrument from 100W, to a 20KW light that has a flood and spot focus, and has a squished, concave lens called a \'fresnel\'.
Can= a light that comes in differant sizes, that is basically a housing, a globe, and power chord. The globes come in differant sizes, and from very wide to very narrow focal points.
Chimera= basically, any cloth soft box. Chimera was first in the market of cloth soft boxes, and they are the biggest. So Chimera is a generic term now.
Flo\'s= from tiny nano-flos, to the average office size of T12. Flo\'s can be just about any color, and any temperature. Naturally soft, and flexable. Comes in many shapes, and sizes.
Practicles= your average, non discript, various design, house hold lamp.
I know I probly miss some stuff, but now I would like to know how you term things.
Especially those from other countries.
Message edited by author 2006-02-20 22:49:36.
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02/20/2006 02:49:10 PM · #2 |
Thanks for the lesson! I did learn somthing!
Best Regards |
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02/20/2006 10:44:38 PM · #3 |
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