A little filter question

Michael,

Filters aren't going to help you that much here. The two biggest things that
you need to worry about are what camera you are using and how old the lights
are. Since you are using reversal film you need to set you exposure
correctly because the lattitude of the stock sux. The quality of flourscent
light is very soft and the fall off is pretty fast so you'l need to keep you
subjects close to the bulb. If you have a variable angle shutter then you
need to set it for faster than 1/48 of a second to prevent flicker. If you
light is old and you can visibly see it flicker then it's no good.

As for "Regular" Edison bulbs, they won't do you much good unless you have
ALOT of them, they're just too dim for an accatable image.

My suggestion would be to go to the local hardware store and see what kind
of hi-wattage bulbs you can get that you can move around (hi-wattage being
at least 200). Another suggestion would be to shoot day for night. Under
open skies at noon, underexpose you image by 2stops and use a redfilter. The
underexposure will make your image look darker, and the red filter will add
contrast and keep your grey-tones from washing out.

You know what? Screw all of that. If you can work it into your story and you
can physicaly do it, use a car with halogen headlights to light your scene.

BTW Students use 7278. What school do you go to?
Paul

"Michael Cummins" <mlcummins.DeleteThis@eircom.net> wrote in message
news:FsQTa.24496$pK2.38658@news.indigo.ie...
> Hi,
>
> I'm preparing to shoot a little fight sequence in black and white 16mm
> within the next few days. It will be my first proper filming experience.
>
> My little studio is 2,000 sq ft. approx. It is not very well lit, which is
a
> worry. So I will keep my action fairly contained. I will probably use
> regular bulbs and one very large portable 4ft fluorescent light. I will
> probably move this in close to the players to throw enough light so I can
> get my focus. But it will be nasty fluorescent light, and the lighting
will
> generally be haphazard.
>
> I'm using Kodack 7278 which I believe is about 200 ASA. I have two yellow
> filters, one light yellow(1.4) and one dark yellow (2.0) Should I use
either
> of these or set my camera a particular way to get a better look off my
> light? As I say my light will be a lot fluorescent and really haphazard.
> Would one of these filters give it any more consistent or defined look?
>
> Im being very amateur here but the film is just a little experiment in
> action and cutting.
>
> Any help or advice is much appreciated.
>
> Micheal C.
>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: A little filter question 

>
> BTW Students use 7278. What school do you go to?

I don't. I'm an independant gentleman.

Thanks for all your help. It's not that I want to do it at night, it is just
that I have to. In a way I control the lighting more when it is pitch black
too.

Micheal C.
 >> Stay informed about: A little filter question