How to Develop Your Visual Style | Realistic vs. Stylistic Lighting Explained
Фильм және анимация
The bar scene is one of the most classic settings in film history, yet there are hundreds of ways to light it. Is it a dark and moody setup? Or more high-key and colorful? That’s where the visual style of the filmmakers behind the movie come into play. Depending on the style you are going for, it will influence your creative lighting decisions on moonlight, soft vs. hard light, motivated vs. stylistic lighting.
Today, cinematographer Valentina Vee breaks down two different lighting setups - one based in reality and the other pushing the boundaries of narrative convention. In the world of realistic lighting, oftentimes the light is motivated by the practicals in the scene, logic dictates the placement of most of the lights (i.e streetlamps, light fixtures), and the light generally tends to be softer in quality. In stylistic lighting, you can play around with the colors much more, common conceptions of lighting can be altered (i.e moonlight), and there doesn’t need to be a reason for the placement of each light. In this episode, you will see how the visual style can affect a cinematographer’s thought process when it comes to lighting a scene.
In the first setup, Valentina starts by setting her frame, which will be a wide moving master, dollying side-to-side to have a parallax motion. She starts with the background lights, such as practicals and lights that will play as street lamps, making sure that they are gelled to unify the color temperature. She then sets her key light for her main actress by bouncing a light into a bead board. In the second setup, Valentina switches it up by shooting into a mirror as part of her frame. She sets a soft top light as her main light. She also uses Aputure MCs, small RGBWW LED lights, to colorize her frame and create pockets of light and shadow. Finally, she sets some accent lights throughout the scene to further the overall visual interest.
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:54 - Composition/Camera
4:05 - Production Design
4:56 - Motivated Lighting
6:44 - Key Light
7:27 - Accent Lighting
9:07 - Haze
10:04 - Setup #1 Breakdown
10:49 - Stylistic Lighting Intro
11:43 - Gels
13:10 - Colored Lighting
16:08 - Setup #2 Breakdown
16:46 - Outro
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Summary:
Aputure's KZread channel provides free high quality cinematography, lighting, and filmmaking educational content to help you take your film projects to the next level.
Пікірлер: 549
Thank you so much for such a positive response to this video! We worked really hard on this new format and I'm blown away by the feedback!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
😍
@creekboi
3 жыл бұрын
thank you so much for this mean so much
@awzone2552
3 жыл бұрын
you r so beautiful that i wanna go for a date with you . .. :) and plzz keep creating this type of amazing videos..
@JackMajor
3 жыл бұрын
More stuff like this :)
@mostafaMnagy
3 жыл бұрын
That is an amazing video, filled with excellent tips, tricks and valuable info. Excellent resource.
Learned more in this 17 minute video, than I did in 100 hours of KZread tutorials. This is dam near a perfect instructional. She's one of the best in the business. Kudos to Aputure.
Dope Setups! You killed it
@Rolypopoly
3 жыл бұрын
You are clearly still a young man, despite your many accomplishments! (see my earlier comment…)
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
😍
@johnnythunder8382
3 жыл бұрын
it is you
@bimatvug
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah... this got me! It was LIT
This is packed with useful information! Thanks.
@bimatvug
3 жыл бұрын
Disturbingly enough, you can only know when you watch it...
Wow. This girl is on fire. Lighting, camera moves, directing. What can't she do🤯🤯🤯. By the way, I have a bar shoot this Friday,...so....you know awesome the timing for this video is.
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Let us know how it turns out!
@eddydrouet1888
3 жыл бұрын
@@aputurelighting RIP, he ded
One of my favorite things about watching your tutorials is that you always explain everything, including the basics of why or how to set things up. I learn SO much, so thank you! Also holy cow that last shot especially was incredible!!
Loving the new longer format. It’s way easier to follow with V sharing her thought process and reasoning including trouble shooting etc Also love that you include infos on the type of grip and diffusion used, I always had to scroll back and rewatch to find out what was being used
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the input!
I like this a lot. This method of getting into the thoughts and process making the shots from V is great and her knowledge and use of terms is proven and showcased by the final shot.
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Glad to hear!
@samr_-zi6zm
3 жыл бұрын
@@aputurelighting Can you make a review video for the cinematic pictures and the colors for this movie. " The Lady Of heaven" 2M views at trailer
Nice. Not just learn the lights, but also the camera shot
Wow, this style is so much better than the old 4-minute videos you used to make! The production value is top shelf.
I‘d love to go for a moody golden hour and lowkey style with either a real jalousie or used in a Gobo to create that texture and interest in my lighting. Through cinematography I somehow started to love the color orange 🌞
Favorite video from you yet!! I love the in-depth walkthrough style
Wow great job on this new format!! It's very thorough and also love the set up diagram you included. For someone like me with not a lot of experience this was easy to follow and understand. I learned so much from this episode and Valentina absolutely killed it 🙌🏼🔥
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you found it useful!!
I only recently discovered this channel so I don’t have an “old” point of reference. I will however answer your question. I LOVE this format. This was so much fun to watch. So educational. Your presentation was flawless. I really felt like I was inside your mind and understood why you were making the choices you made. I’m working on lighting my kitchen for some cooking videos. I want to make them cinematic and somewhat moody. This was extremely helpful. Thank you Valentina!
I loved this format so much! More natural flowing, and every single question answered! Keep it up!
Vee, you CRUSHED IT! My goodness, this video is SO good!
Excellent work, Valentina? I love the new format. Walking us through the setup, style, approach, and problem-solving is super helpful. Keep 'em coming Aputure. Keep 'em coming.
I am so thankful for your videos, I can't afford film school and your work is helping me to fulfill my dream.
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
OH MY GOSH YOU ARE SO WELCOME!!! - Valentina
This was next level. I found this vid in a rabbit hole and it had more gems than I was prepared to intake. I am definitely going to re-watch a few times because every single second had priceless information. Thank you for this.
Let it be known that I love this lady. Been watching her vids for the past week and I’m learning a lot from her. She’s an expert. Her hair is fun itself. Thanks for the practical insights. Thank you!!
Loving this new style of video! One thing I love doing with my lights is adding movement to them, whether that’s manned by a crew member or set on something like a Dana dolly or slider. Moving lights with some sort of pattern like a cookie always adds some interest to a “boring” scene. Looking forward to more of these types of vids! Keep it up!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! We absolutely will.
Yes love the format! My fav video so far!
Best episode yet!!!! Thanks VV!
V is one of my favorite DP's. You've really helped me understand so many principles of lighting.
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
The new format is excellent, this felt like one of the better episodes as of late. I really enjoyed how you touched on real thought behind blocking, production design, camera movement, composition, etc... all before really getting into the lighting. Lighting is SO important, but it isn't a magic bullet that makes any shot look good. This video really shows how a good shot is the amalgamation of small choices (lighting based or otherwise) that don't seem to make a huge difference on their own, coming together into something great. That, in and of itself, made this a really good lighting tutorial -- The viewer is shown what lighting does do, what it doesn't do, and how every detail matters. Great video! As far as what stylistic choices I like to implement in my filmmaking.. ..it's hard to say, because I'm always searching for something new to make my work look better than it did last time, or increase how versatile I can be. I'm currently experimenting with using strong diffusion/halation filters, because they force you to think about lighting differently. Anything particularly bright is going to have a huge glow around it, and you can use that to bleed light and colors around the frame in interesting ways. In a recent short I DP'd, a glowing red window in a dream represents something the main character is afraid of. By using a strong halation filter, I was able to have that red glow wrap around the character sitting/standing in front of it, almost as if this thing they fear is consuming them and/or creeping into them (If that visual description doesn't make any sense, this short film is my most recent upload, and you can see the red window about 24 seconds in). Strong halation has the potential to just look annoying, but in trying to motivate it, I find myself doing things with the light that I might not have thought of otherwise.
I love how you give little Tips throughout the video that aren't exactly related to the content, but will help in all facets of filming.
These episodes are awesome! Please continue these!
Great video! Some specific techniques and tech info but also some cool philosophical ideas. Keep em coming!
awesome video, digging the new graphic layouts. keep giving us these advanced lighting setups, not enough of these on youtube imho. also i love that you light for the wide shot first, it's something i always do now and it's really changed my filmmaking process.
This is the first video I’m watching from this channel and about light. I really appreciate the insights and simple explanations and naming of all the equipment while you were setting up. I also liked how you had the picture at the end of the scenes and showed us how each light contributed to the shot. I learnt a lot. Thank you and shout outs from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼.
@aputurelighting
2 жыл бұрын
So glad you enjoyed the video!
Nice setups. Thanks Valentina Vee!
Enjoying this new walkthrough format - more, please!
The new format is great. It’s hard to believe this is free content!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
That means a lot!!
Yeah loving the new format. I think it's important to show the process from start to finish and help the viewer get into the head of the Director/DP/Gaffer for a shoot since, lighting is everything.
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
TOTALLY agree!
@valentinavee
3 жыл бұрын
Good to hear, and thank you for the feedback!
Love these videos so much! Great work all.
Vee is always awesome to watch in her element, and though I don’t consider myself a filmmaker in any capacity, watching her work makes it feel approachable and fun, great shots and great video!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!
The format is amazing and the setup is fantastic!
These lighting breakdown videos by Aputure are SO underrated. Always look forward to learning something new every time. Also, Valentina is a bamf! I do a lot of doc-like work and personally also love shooting wide. I like the visual context it gives to a subject's location!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
That's so great to hear!!
I love shooting from different camera angles and with different lenses to get better depth about the characters. I think it helps reveals what the characters are going through at that moment, to help complete the story. Love the tutorials keep up the great work. Thank you!
I love these new truly in-depth walkthroughs!
Well done. Really makes me want to invest in additional lights. One of my favorite moves is to dirty the foreground with an object or person. I like the feeling that we're looking in on something and that not everything has been revealed yet.
Very informative! Love the new format!
Really really, loved this episode, you guys are killing it!
This new format is just awwsome, keep it up. Love it ❤️
Fantastic breakdown...keep these coming!
Love these kinds of videos! Great to see everything come together! Personally, I love one takes - my favorite is on some military style shoots, to follow talent over the shoulder as they move through the scene, then in the same shot pick up another talent as they go in the opposite direction and over the shoulder them as well!
Love the new walk throughs and the breakdown of terms and setups.
I’m receiving a lot of value from these videos. She’s dope. Thanks Lady for explaining and helping us understand.
awesome walkthrough, diggin' it 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
This was sooo awesome. Great job and a lot of work went into just giving us the information. Love it and my Nova. Haha
With an upcoming narrative project these videos are REALLY helpful. I'm sure after studying enough setups I'll get a better idea of what lights I need to invest in first
So good. Keep ‘em coming!
These breakdowns are so valuable. A great way to give back to the community. Thanks, Aputure!
i watched your first video (which is obviously this one) and i feel like why i didn't got recommendation of your channel before :( you are really great at it and i'm sure your videos are gonna help me a lot to learn cinematography and techniques. Thank You so much !!! - Love from INDIA
This new format is great. Definitely helps with the whole breakdown of both the lighting aspect and the framing up of shots.
I love everything you do. You're amazing and you share so much. Thank you
Love these videos, keep them coming
So so nice ☺️ thank you Aputure and Valentina! Learned so much from you guys ❤️
love these walk throughs!
The walk throughs are a must. Thank you
This is very useful! Keep up the new format.
Is so cool and inspiring to realize that you don't know anything about lighting and videos like these change everything. Thanks for this one and Happy Shooting!
Would love to see more of these thanks!
Absolutely one of the best videos you guys have ever put out. The new format is welcome with open arms. More! The people want more!
@valentinavee
3 жыл бұрын
Yay! So happy to hear it works.
Most def was really insightful thank you so much keep them coming
What a wonderful lighting and cinematography tutorial. Thank you Valentina.
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Thank YOU for watching!
i loved this!!! i its almazing how a little set design can completely transform your image, especially when combined with stylistic lights! One of things which i love doing in my films is a pull focus from an object to the subject of the frame!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Production design is SO important!
Valentina, Love your videos, very instructive and inspiring. You have a great pace, not too fast not too slow, just right :). Thanks!
I tend to work in a lot of depth. I like to put people, objects and backgrounds on different plains. I guess that comes form being an old school effects guy and too much time playing with 3D plains in After Effects. I (also) shoot with a lot of leading lines and into the corners of the room for more depth and a wider, more cinematic field of view. Loving the slower more in depth pace of 4 minute film school. It gives you time to digest what is being done.
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Depth is always a good thing. And thank you!
Valentina you make a great job. It is always a pleasure to watch your videos.
Love it the walkthroughs!
That was a great video, love this new format keep it up guys
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Will do!
Loved loved loved the breakdown of the scene! So interesting and educational. Gives me great idea for an upcoming shoot. Thank you so much and subscribed
your channel is going the right direction, dope setup
Thank you Valentina! I have a bar shoot tomorrow and this video came at the precise time. Thank you for sharing your talent!!!
So good! Love this style of video
The lighting is making the c70 look killer. My go to lighting setup at the moment is a cove light. Has been a little boot leg but even so complements the actor so so soooo well! Great video, really enjoyed 💥
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Love the cove light technique!!
@cn3435
3 жыл бұрын
@@aputurelighting for the win!
Thank you for this great information! I love using lights to heighten mood and bring emotion and meaning through colors. 😊
Great format and great explanation of the setup. Keep these coming.
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for letting us know!!
Just started doing lighting so this really helped thnx! Also props for the footage & your skills 🎥🔥
Loving these tutorials. So helpful for a noob. Thank you.
Learnt so much in 17 min! Thanks!!
Great content V! I love the look of the gobos ❤️
Really Like this format hope it continues looking forward to more
Love the whole setups, got my subscription...
This was a super helpful video: so awesome to see different styles explored in the same scene concept. Thanks so much! Would love to see more of the 'lighting same scene with multiple genres' idea
I loved this video! All the time that went into it shows! I like the walk though I feel like I learn more. Keep it up
Love this format! Can’t wait to see more. All hail the lighting queen! 😎
V, thanks so much again for another useful video!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Love real world advice from experienced operator. Thanks for clear insight into process
Digging the informational format!
Love this video! It must be so fun to have all these tools at your disposal! You can really be creative with all those options. I personally shoot with a more naturalistic style, using as much natural light and practicals as possible. I also love low key lighting, using shadows more, and having a more sterile, neutral camera as far as movement. Thanks for the video!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Sometimes, using just available light is the way to go!
Yes please! More videos like this, absolutely fantastic
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
There's more to come :)
The fact that you guys are doing these videos together with awesome products is why I am and always will be an Aputure user!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Great to hear!!
Love these videos! Learning so much
Thankyou so much for this kind of video
This is awesome! I love this lighting breakdowns. Pleasee, give us more haha 👏🏻
Love this type of video, really helpful! 😎🔥
This is great! Love what you’re doing. There’s so much info in such a small amount of time, there’s a lot to digest which means I’m learning a lot. Please keep doing this! Thanks!
@aputurelighting
3 жыл бұрын
Glad this was helpful!
You explained this so well dang, learned so much !!