Interview Lighting

This week, we applied what we learned about three-point lighting to a class exercise/experiment. We got into groups and had to set up a three-point lighting system as though we were recording an interview. Our requirements were as follows:

- MCU: Medium Close Up shot

- Long-ish lens (not widest)

- Good lighting: three-point diffused (wide light source)

- Experiment with flags as they can cut out unnecessary spill

- Background: depth of field (bokeh), remember perspective (angles, lines), think about composition

- Use C-stands for flags

- Check framing

- Always check: focus, white balance, aperture, exposure and gain

- Put the camera on a tripod and level it out

Three-point lighting set up diagram

My group set up a lighting plan that was similar to this, except for the key light which was pushed back a little further. We recorded footage, first with no diffuse on the lights and then we put some diffuse on both the key and fill lights. The light on the subject was more harsh without the diffuse on the lights and the light was much softer with the diffuse on the lights and therefore, was much more flattering on the subject.

This week we were also given our subjects for our oral presentation assignment. The subjects were given to us at random and my one is; 

"Inverse Square Law and its application to Cinematography."

I  have no idea what this even means but I am researching what it is and how it applies to cinematography. So far, I have worked out that it has something to do with the distance of the light from the subject and how it affects the intensity of the light. Hopefully by the end of my research, I will understand properly what it means and also understand it's applications to cinematography.