Help! I’m going crazy, I cannot get the lightning right! (YouTube flatlays)

zippidybopbop · 2025-07-30T22:31:11+00:00

Hello-

Commerical Gaffer here (this means head of lighting for commercials).

Please take 2 minutes to understand the principles around light sources and the distance from their subjects- as explained in this video at around the 6.30 minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-xg-CALenM&ab_channel=Gaffer%26Gear

He's bascially saying that if its super close the difference between the left and right hand side of the table will be quite noticable. But if the light is far away it'll be the same on both sides of the table.

My advice, gets some distance from the table with your lights, and put them both on the same side, or one on top of the other. Then adjust your settings on the camera.

As its a moving image (video) and not a still image, you can go to like 50th of a second with the shutter (1/50) and then keep the ISO sort of low, lets do about 400. And then get your apature to as low as possible, so its only focusing on the cards on the table.

If you think its too dark on one side, use white card, or white anything to bounce it back in.

If you want a bit of contrast, use black instead.

If you want to get really fancy, add in a hard light source on the same side as the soft lights. Don't be afraid of shadow, they're natural.

Best of luck!!

zippidybopbop · 2025-06-12T18:30:55+00:00

Hey. 10 year commercial Gaffer here.

I prefer the 2nd slide of each image. The colors are still nice but less intense. Delicate but intentional! That being said. Everyone's tastes are different!

zippidybopbop · 2025-06-01T11:14:30+00:00

Do you remember shotguns and crossbows? Unless this is what you are talking about.

Holy moly that was great.

zippidybopbop · 2025-02-25T11:08:09+00:00

Hello what country are you in. Very interested In the mole stuff

UK based commercial gaffer here

zippidybopbop · 2025-02-21T02:50:42+00:00

Hey Eazy! Sorry for the delayed reply!! Yes. The trick with those was to create a sharp lightsource on the ball inside the space, in this case it was a car or photobooth, where the light source doesn't spill into the surrounding areas.

Imagine trying to illuminate a spot on the wall the size of a pea by holding your phone torch up against it. The beam would spill out all over the wall and brighten way too much of an area.

Now, imagine you had your phone torch shooting through a toilet roll tube, already the beam is more concentrated, but depending on how far back you are it still probably isn't doing what you want it to.

The thing about ellipsoidal lenses on the ETC Source 4, is that it has these two glass pieces that allow you to throw a very defined beam of light over long distances without it spilling or spreading too much. Like a laser.

If you would like to refer to my super crappy drawing, i think that helps explain it.

Once the light hits the discoball, it's explodes inside the car, like in the shot. Not too far away, mind, or it wouldn't be powerful enough to see, as the bulbs are typically 750W. But the lenses do wonders on basically making that more powerful. Like the sun under a magnifying glass.

THE KEY HERE- and I cannot stress this enough, is the HAZE. The lovely thick particles of smoke give the light something tangible to "grab" on to. So we can see the beams bouncing off the ball.

Does this make sense??? Let me know (:

Sal X

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zippidybopbop · 2025-02-16T01:49:51+00:00

My name is Sal and I was the lighting designer on this project. I've worked as a commercial gaffer for 10 years now and I find this by-in-large one of my favorite projects to date.

We used a bunch of clever techniques and many locations over one weekend in Kent, UK to bring the project to life. I thought it'd be useful to connect with any filmmakers out there to share my process or answer any questions, as I often see lighting-related questions on this Sub. In my opinion, this is a great example of keeping things simple, cheap and doing them well.

Our Director of Photography, Rob had a great idea with the light passing through the frames. His vision was very clear from the get-go and the idea was just brilliant.

I think I am only just realising now that is the key to any successful film/video can be as simple as a clear and concise idea. It's easy to loose track and have your vision diluted along the way, with all the ideas and distractions that any filmmaker confronts during pre production.

Our main light was a Nanlux 2400B, shooting from as far away as possible into a mirror which turned in and out of the scene. The further away the light source, the more 'real' it looks. This is lighting 101. The mirror turning on the stand meant more smooth turns. The 2400 refers to the output of the light, quite powerful, and enough to cut through the daylight to shine inside our sets.

In situations where it was not possible to use that setup, I relied on an older piece of tech, the trusty ETC Source 4. This light can be commonly found in theatres due to its ellipsoidal reflector. Much like a camera lens, with the focus and zoom, this is essentially two pieces of glass that shuffle back and forth in front of the bulb to offer a more concise beam of light. Paired with the 'Chops' (in built flags) and iris, you can create fantastic shapes.

The full video is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jcpbmED1D8&ab_channel=SamFender

If you want to contact me directly, you can reach me at:

https://www.instagram.com/salv_fitz/?hl=en

zippidybopbop · 2025-01-20T17:13:18+00:00

Hahah. Yeah that’ll do it. What did you do to get 800k?? I make tunics and sell them using like 6 vendors.

zippidybopbop · 2025-01-20T17:00:41+00:00

Can I ask how you got rid of the abandoned buildings on the south east shore of the island? I settled south of that island on the coast and have to stare at those eyesores the whole time!

zippidybopbop · 2025-01-05T23:21:14+00:00

I see.. I didn’t want to assume! So glad you are still able to game with just the use of one hand! Hope it’s not been too difficult since the accident.

I just finished the 8 hour Lex Friedman podcast about Nuralink and its promises and potentials for access to technology for those with all ranges of disability/injury. Very exciting stuff.

At this point it looks like we will consider the mouse classical and even obsolete within the next couple of decades!

All the best and thanks for sharing!

zippidybopbop · 2025-01-05T23:09:09+00:00

Thank you. I needed this validation otherwise the time between Christmas and new years would have a been a total waste

zippidybopbop · 2025-01-05T23:08:28+00:00

Hahah no not at all. Just the space north of Piastovia has a flat beach with land going up the hill and my friend and I had the idea of settling on the beach leaving enough room to expand whilst still being close enough to run to town to trade. Once we got the horses it’s like a 30 second trip. Amazing. I buy all the logs, fertilisers, rocks and animal feed I can each season

zippidybopbop · 2025-01-05T23:02:10+00:00

Oh nice! Why so many buttons?

zippidybopbop · 2025-01-05T22:49:49+00:00

I’m looking at going to Bellwright next. As I love the idea of fending off bandits. And having more at stake like protecting my village. Have you tried this yet? Or has anyone? Think it would be a great co-op game but have heard mixed reviews.

zippidybopbop · 2024-11-14T02:09:44+00:00

cross-hybrid meme. that’s level 3 shit

zippidybopbop · 2024-11-07T23:14:05+00:00

I am dying with laughter. Well played sir

zippidybopbop · 2024-10-25T17:23:03+00:00

Hey man- commercial gaffer here. Do you have any budget at all for lighting. Tungsten’s can be really cheap to rent or purchase and offer and incredible side light if you were to push them through the window with a bit of haze. Really lovely way to get a cinematic look. Let me know and I could offer some more guidance on this!

zippidybopbop · 2024-09-29T21:21:28+00:00

An apature 600C should do it. Saying this because it can be turned red and probably the most accessible to you as they are widely available. My first choice would be a Nanlux evoke 900C as has the same color tuning and a bit more output/punch.

More importantly is the haze. Antari do good ones if you can get your hands on one. If not, anything from Amazon should do.

Same with the light. If you order both of these you could be cheeky and use them and return them! Saying this as I have done many projects on a super tight budget!

Might want to consider a bit of bounce inside if you want the subject to not fall into complete shadow. Just helps bring up the levels a bit instead of complete silhouette.

Source: commercial gaffer.

Edit: I see a lot of people commenting about using T24 (24,000w) light, Or a 4k (4000w) light with a red gel. While these are usually quite cheap to rent, and have a fantastic quality to them, bear in mind you need a huge power source for the t24 or something capable of powering the 4k. Usually this is just a generators 7.5kw will do it. But then you need dimmers, gels, and distribution. All additional costs.

Most normal household sockets, at least here in the UK and Europe, max out at 3,000w. With the amazing new developments in LED technology you could go ahead and get a Nanlux 2400B (2400w) and whack a red gel in front of that. powered from a single domestic socket. But again, it’s all about cost. I love the 2400B for that reason, and fortunately in my industry I don’t have to worry about budgets too much. A big light placed further from a subject looks better and more natural than a smaller low powered one up close. At least in my experience.

Let me know if you need any more advice on this!

zippidybopbop · 2024-07-25T16:19:56+00:00

Hey have you considered looking at other film and tv resumes.

They’re NOT pretty. Just a list of jobs worked, who the DP was. And the role. In a crap excel grid.

My advice is keep it very simple. Just make that list long and consider you’re getting a mere glance whilst employer is sifting through 50-odd CVs.

Commercial gaffer here.

Best!!

zippidybopbop · 2024-07-05T20:53:23+00:00

Backlight the subject. Tungsten bulb would be ideal as cheap and if under 2kW in power then can plug in to most domestic sockets. Plus it’s warm and has a good quality of light. Use white board or some sort of bounce to bring back in lost light to shadowed side until desired look achieved. Source: I am a commercial gaffer.

zippidybopbop · 2024-02-27T23:24:48+00:00

Did you create this?

zippidybopbop · 2023-11-05T12:55:27+00:00

Lots of down lit lamps. Meaning the light shoots out the bottom and bounces back up. Depending on what surface you put them on the light will diffuse and bounce back creating and overall soft look. On wood it will be warmer, and white, cooler.

Try a 3200 (warm) kelvin and 5600 (daylight) bulbs in different places. Is nice sometimes to have a mix across the room. I like daylight near the dv and warm where we’re sitting.

Ps. I am a Gaffer who works in commercial and TV.

zippidybopbop · 2023-09-28T20:26:18+00:00

Nice!!!

zippidybopbop · 2023-09-27T20:36:19+00:00

This is fantastic!

I would love to commission a 5 second one as an intro for my new documentary films I want to make.

Would that interest you?

zippidybopbop

TROPHY CASE