Search results for: learning video lighting video tips guide
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Have you ever taken a photo that looked so good on the back of your camera, only to get home and see that it’s just not sharp? We’ve all been there, and even the experts miss more shots than they keep. That said, there are many tricks and techniques we can learn to improve the odds. In today’s guide, we’re looking at five techniques to aid us in confidently capturing tack-sharp photographs.
Sharpness is critical in most genres of photography, especially nature and wildlife. Sure, we can intentionally blur elements to showcase motion. We
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Smartphones have forever changed the world of photography, making the art form more accessible and connecting people from across the world through the instantaneous sharing of images. For all their benefits, there are plenty of criticisms to be had, especially on the creative front. Smartphone cameras are, for some, everything one could want from a camera. For others, they lack the control and creative freedom that makes photography so interesting.
Who can blame one for having hard feelings against smartphones. After all, they nearly wiped
by Zack Young · Posted
B&H is excited to announce that our new Virtual Production and XR (Extended Reality) category is now live. Initial offerings include products for cinema capture, broadcast, live events, sports, education, and more, with an emphasis on LED volumes, IMLs (Interactive Media Labs), content creation, advertising, and tradeshows.
Current subcategories for browsing include
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Through the cacophony of forest sounds, your ears home in on a buzzy, almost garbled ascending song. Perhaps you recognize it immediately, or maybe you need to confer with one of the trusty internet databases or apps. You train your eyes on the canopy, scanning for movement of any kind, when you see it: the cerulean warbler, a small rowdy songbird with wings slightly splayed from the body. Quickly, you lower your binoculars and train your camera on the little blue passerine before snapping a few frames.
The resulting photos clearly show the
by Steven Gladstone · Posted
Lighting hasn't really changed in the past few decades. Sure, new fixtures, faster cameras and lenses, and shooting styles may change, but the essence of lighting really hasn't changed. The look of the scene is still driven by the DP and still created by the lighting designer; it is still all about ratios, and no matter how technology advances, lighting is a powerful tool for putting realism and drama on screen.
What Is Image-Based Lighting?
Simply put, image-based lighting (IBL) is using lighting fixtures to mimic the effects of natural
by Zack Young · Posted
On-set virtual production (OSVP) is the real-time mixing of live-action footage with computer-generated imagery to create amazing in-camera visual effects (ICVFX). These days, most OSVP happens on a volume, a studio space with seamless LED panels (or cabinets, as they’re known in OSVP) grouped together to display rendered images that are then captured live in-camera alongside human talent. These cabinet configurations can be as simple as a flat backdrop stacked from the ground up, and as complicated as a full curved 360° wrap hung from trusses
by Zack Young · Posted
Virtual production (VP) is a professional video technique that combines live-action footage with computer-generated imagery (CGI) in real time. Virtual production typically happens on “volume” stages where seamless interlocked LED panels display rendered photo-real backdrops that change and adapt as the camera moves. This creates impressive in-camera virtual effects (ICVFX) that require little to no post-production work. Let’s jump into the exciting capabilities of
by Steven Gladstone · Posted
Your virtual production (VP) system isn't just playing back high-resolution video in the background. To work as believable 3D your system must be able to render in real-time and in high frame rate realistic 3D environments. To create and playback these environments you need creation software.
What Is Unreal Engine?
Simply put, it is an advanced real-time creation tool that powers your virtual production. It is based on 3D computer graphics gaming engine, and I remember playing Unreal as a multiplayer first-person shooter game, way back in the
by Zack Young · Posted
With all the time and effort it takes to set up a virtual production volume, it’s vitally important to schedule regular maintenance on your LED panels to ensure they stay clean, calibrated, and ready to be used at a moment’s notice. Knowing how best to repair, store, and transport cabinets is also an important part of lengthening the lifespan of these hefty investments. The number one resource is always going to be the documentation that came with your OSVP panels, whether that be a manual, an online database, manufacturer best practices, or
by Zack Young · Posted
As audiences consume more and more video, it’s increasingly challenging to create bold, striking visuals that stand out from the crowd and truly engage viewers in a story. Lighting remains—arguably—the most underrated tool for that mission. Even the most budget-friendly camera and lens on the market can capture beautiful images when paired with thoughtful lighting choices. While accurate LED panels used to be large, heavy, and expensive, that is no longer always the case, and Genaray’s new PX-MOD-3 modular RGB LED panel is proof of this,
by Zack Young · Posted
Whether you're outfitting a tiny conference room or a massive ballroom, PTZ cameras can help you pan, tilt, and zoom your way to the best angles and most effective ways to communicate your message during a video conference. With PTZ camera setups varying wildly in size, price, and configuration, we're breaking down possible workflows for different kinds of scenarios.
1. Home Office
If you're just outfitting a setup for yourself, a single
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Do you plan your images? Really think about that question. Do you have an idea of an image before you head out for a shoot, or do you let the moment inspire you as the pieces fall into place? There's no wrong answer here. Planning or "pre-visualization" is a key piece of the photography puzzle that some put a lot of thought and effort into while others effortlessly come up with ideas on the fly.
No matter how you go about taking a picture, there is some level of planning that goes into a shot. With that said, there's a big difference between
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Weddings are fast-paced events for photographers, and there’s so much to do. From portraits of the bride and groom to family formals, there’s much to cover, and we haven’t even scratched the surface yet. While all focus is on the bride, groom, and their families, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes material to capture. As wedding photographers, you need to wear many hats, and that includes landscape, food, and product photography.
Proficiency in photographing product is a must, as there are many details and accoutrements to photograph
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Winter is one of the most exciting seasons for wildlife photography. Northern species return to their wintering grounds and bring life to an otherwise cold and barren landscape. Photographers and bird watchers alike yearn for this time of year, as owls and other birds of prey become more common. One of the most visited and coveted winter birdwatching spots in the US is the famous Sax-Zim Bog.
Nestled in the rural hills about an hour northwest of Duluth Minnesota, Sax
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
As photographers, we are faced with a wide array of lighting conditions, ranging from bright sunlight to dimly lit interiors. Using ambient light as your main source is often preferable; however, in a situation such as an event or portrait where time is of the essence, you will need to know how to properly expose all these varying scenes using both natural and artificial light sources.
Being resourceful with your lighting setups lends greater efficiency, and having a lighting system you can easily move from one situation to the next quickly is