Thank you for actually showing how you'd use the light meter on set. A lot of other videos just say "it'll show you the correct exposure and you can use this to adjust lighting to get some neat contrast" without showing how they exactly did that. This is the only video where it actually clicked for me because you actually showed how using it actually looks.
1 - why dont you clip a lav mic on your shirt and have both hands free , and avoid the sound changing so much as you move your hand further? 2 - You're indoors. Why do you use a dead cat on the mic? I just gets too much attention to it.
As a practicing cinematographer, I never use “true ratios” to communicate my intentions. Rather, I say things like, “fill at 3 stops below key”, and “background at 1 stop below key.” Using true ratios seems to be a photography thing. Also, spot metering is super important when lighting with ratios. It’s impossible to measure your background ratio without a spot meter.
Thank you for sharing this! That’s been my experience in set too so thanks for pointing that out. I personally use false color, mostly el zone now, since I don’t own a spot. Thanks again for the tips!
Yeah, EL zones are great. I’m not a fan of the colors Ed chose, so I created my own version in my SmallHD 702 Touch monitor using more skin-tone like colors for the first few stops above and below middle grey (brown-ish to pink-ish). So amazing to be able to see ratios in color 😎
Thanks for watching. This is the one I own, it’s a few years old. amzn.to/3p9Qz2c If your budget allows, I’d look into getting one that is a spot and incident, like the Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter. But do your research, I’m sure you’ll find something great. Thanks again!
I should dive deeper into light meters and contrast ratios. I have been using false color primarily to dial in exposure but a light meter would also help for shooting film.
Agreed, 100% for film. I use false color a lot, it’s an amazing tool. Ratios really help me in prep. I think at a certain point we are able to eyeball all of this stuff, but it’s good to have these tools. Thanks again for taking the time man!
Jesus Paul, fantastic video mate. I still have an old analog sekonic meter, but looking to possibly upgrade to that one in your hand! Just makes life a lot easier, well I guess a spot meter would be even EASIEr, but who's got the cash for a spot ;) Thanks again.
Thanks so much man! I had the lav mic ready to go and dropped and stepped on it right before recording! 😞😂 this RU-vid thing has already cost me a light, a mic, and a pinky toenail.
I appreciate yo boy Steve but not the same voice.. sorry :p there is only one Paul ! lol to be serious very helpful and clear to understand light meters ( that I don't use yet.. ) maybe for my next project :)
Will do haha. I linked the light meter in the description and if you go to the bottom of the description, I have a link to all the gear I use. Thank you!
Thanks man! I linked a free one in the description. Never tried it, but let me know if you do. You can purchase an attachment for the app, buys it’s pricey. Here’s one that’s rated well for around $10 apps.apple.com/us/app/pocket-light-meter/id381698089
Hi. I believe I was referring to shutter angle if I remember correctly, which is where the at 180 degrees comes from. But you’re right, that’s 1/50 or 1/48 for your shutter for 24 fps on cameras where you can’t set your shutter angle.
Hi Paul! What a simple yet informative video! I'd like to ask you some questions. - After I measure the main subject, how should I measure the background? For instance, if I want to measure how bright the wall (or other types of background) is, should the dome's direction be pointed towards the light source or the wall itself? - Another question is that if the background has windows, should the dome be pointed towards the window itself or the light source? - Do you think a spot meter will enhance the background metering process since you don't have to move much? Once again, I really appreciate the vibe of the video, and have a good rest of the week!
Second question is tricky, depends on what you’re filming. You would have to decide what part of the room is in the frame and how you want the light to hit what. So if you want a subject in the middle of the room then you would point it at the window to see what kind of light you’re getting and so on.
Great content! You said the light meter will tell you what you should set your aperture to. But should you still expose to the right though? or go with what the light meter is saying? thanks
The meter will give you the aperture that will give you proper exposure. After that, you can choose to expose however you like. It gives you an idea of how far you can over and under expose, so if you like exposing to the right, the meter measurement will give you an exact figure you can work from. Hope that makes sense.
