Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
May 22, 2012, 03:19:03 AM


Author Topic: Frustrated with indoor quality  (Read 516 times)

Offline ajohn57

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Frustrated with indoor quality
« on: January 17, 2012, 02:47:51 PM »
This is my first post and my first video so I know I have a lot to learn. However, I’m frustrated with the quality of my first video. It’s a simple interview style video. I have a talking subject and a clothing mannequin. I used the kit lens (my 50mm 1.8 gets too close to the subjects). I have work lights set up on both side with a diffuser in front of each. I know they are only work lights, but others use them and it looks better than what I got. I used the Rode VideoMic. The audio was fine. There was a hiss, but that didn’t really bother me at this point – I haven’t done research on that yet.

The video quality wasn’t what I was hoping for. There is a black jacket in one scene and I can’t see the lapels. I can’t see the detail in the jewelry. I will try to post the video. I welcome any advice. I just want better quality than this. I know that it will get better over time, but I’m frustrated with the first shots.

Settings: ISO 200; Aperture 3.5-4.5; Shutter Speed 1/80

Potential issues: Is my aperture too wide, thus some things are out of focus? Is the ISO too low to show the detail (should I be allowing more light in)? Do I just need to move locations, so that I can use my 50mm 1.8?

Test.mp4

Offline 1074

  • Sr. Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 1553
    • www.bryancantwellphotography.com
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2012, 02:52:43 PM »
You need more light! More light, and I would try to get the lights up higher, too.
I'm awesome on the Internet!
www.bryancantwellphotography.com

Offline ajohn57

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2012, 03:17:05 PM »
Thanks! Do you have any suggestions for getting more light. Is there anything I can do with the work lights I have (new bulb, better placement)?

Offline Bif

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 277
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2012, 04:53:10 PM »
Forget the work lights.  They are the most gosh awful kind of lights to use for any photo or video application.  They are harsh, specular, and contrasty even with diffusers.  I know many use them but they are not the right tool for the job

If on a real tight budget, you can make do very well with some 10" or 11" clamp type reflectors from the hardware store.  Make some solid stands out of 2x4's to clamp them on (tall stands) or look into these: 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/48736-REG/Smith_Victor_401022_A10UL_Adapta_Light_250_Watt.html

You can use 60W or 150W bulbs in these and for a softer look get "Bright White" CFL's.  I use these in this Smith Victor unit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/48735-REG/Smith_Victor_401018_A100_Ultra_Cool_10.html

These will take a pretty sturdy light stand to support them safely.  But look at B&H's 10' and 13' stands.

Get your model away from that wall so you don't get noticeable shadows and get the lights up higher.  The main part of the beam is hitting her at waist level.  Also it sometimes takes more light to get proper exposure on darker skinned people, just a fact of life.  A very good friend of mine got two all expenses paid trips to Africa to help set up studios because of his skill at doing stunningly well done portraits of black persons.

Test and refine.

Offline Ctwo

  • Sr. Contributor
  • *
  • Posts: 683
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2012, 09:49:46 PM »
When you say work lights I think of those ten dollar, 300W halogen lights from Home Depot...

Anyway, Bif, are those just the reflectors?

Offline ajohn57

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2012, 06:41:48 AM »
Bif,

Thanks. Will the clamp lights give me enough light for the full body shots? I've seen people using the clip lights on the internet, but they are mainly doing head and shoulder shots.


Offline Hybrid AWD

  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 328
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2012, 07:01:10 AM »
Are you using Magic Lantern?
If not, Id definitely suggest it. I know on some of the video reviews I have seen using ML with the Rode Videomic there seemed to be less hiss.

Also, why is your shutter 1/80?
Shutter Rule: 24fps = 1/48 (or close to), 30fps = 1/60 (YouTube limits you to 30fps I believe) or 60fps = 1/120

Something else that might help you out with the audio aspect is to try and kill the reverb from the walls. You can do something as simple as just having pictures on the walls. I'm not sure if this is possible, but be creative with it.

Also, I would probably go with the 50mm 1.8 over the kit lens, but with adequate lighting either should work just fine. If you have any way of making a black background, it would be a lot easier using those work lights up. Also keep in mind that you can bounce the light from different directions to help soften it up so it's not as intense on the person. Then you can also use a reflector (whether it needs to be solid white, light gray etc.)

There is definitely room for improvement and it's just a matter of fine tuning your setup.

Offline Hybrid AWD

  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 328
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2012, 07:02:49 AM »
Oh yeah, and also don't forget about the ability to do post production work as well. Im not sure if you have software for that or not, but it can really help fix issues you cant seem to resolve during the shoot.

Offline Bif

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 277
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2012, 01:59:54 PM »
Bif,

Thanks. Will the clamp lights give me enough light for the full body shots? I've seen people using the clip lights on the internet, but they are mainly doing head and shoulder shots.

Depends on reflector shape and size.  Those doing head and shoulder composition are probably using 5" and 7" reflectors, beam will be "tighter".  11" will spread the beam out wider, you may have to use higher wattage (100W instead of 60W) bulbs or equivalent CFLs.  And with CFL's be sure to stabilize your stands so nothing falls over, they contain mercury and if broken special attention to safety and cleanup are required.

Halogen work lights, on the other hand, can rapidly start fires if they fall over or cause diffusion material to ignite due to the heat.

Offline Bif

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 277
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2012, 02:19:58 PM »
When you say work lights I think of those ten dollar, 300W halogen lights from Home Depot...

Anyway, Bif, are those just the reflectors?

Smith-Victor A10UL 10" Adapta-Light (I take back my recommendation on this one).

Reflector, lamp socket, wooden handle, and adjustable clamp.  But on second look a minute ago they are not what I recommend.  The bulb it takes while having the standard screw base, has a long "neck" from there to where the bulb shape widens meaning a long narrow passage from the back of the reflector to the bulb socket.  I ran into this with one other design, I was able to "fix" it by drilling some extra holes and repositioning the internal bracket that held the socket.

Only one shape of bulb will fit.  And the adjustable clamp has a "ball" joint which is not stable enough on a light.

The A-100 is a unit that takes standard bulbs and CFL's with no problem, it is a somewhat heavy duty well built light for $82 and change, runs cool (even cooler with CFL's) and I can change the "character" of the light by switching between incandescent bulbs (while we can still get them) and CFL's for a softer look.

I had been used to using Photogenic StudioMaster II (studio strobe) at about a Grand a light in my main camera room so it has to say something that I am willing to settle for and work with SV gear these days (retired now and having fun).
 

 

Offline jdog82

  • Jr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2012, 10:26:39 PM »
ajohn57, could you post a new vid  after you apply the tips everyone suggested? Like a Before and After?

Offline davefr

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2012, 08:30:48 AM »
I suggest more light, and also another lens, any f2.8 would be great.

Example of an indoor situation, f2.8, shutter 1/125, ISO 800:
handball slow motion test


Neon lights causes some flicker, but this setup is good, at least for me!

Offline GrinderTV

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
    • GrinderTV
Re: Frustrated with indoor quality
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2012, 08:55:29 AM »
Try and get a faster lens. 2.8 or lower. Makes all the difference in the world.