Blog Post #11 - Lighting Research

        When filming any type of project, a film, tv show, documentary, or even a social media clip, lighting is a vital detail in everything. It can change the meaning and representation of almost anything and add more communication with audiences. So, I chose to research lighting specific to documentaries and athletics to improve my knowledge when I begin my filming.

       I wanted to start off with looking for ideas when filming interviews. I learned from an article on 'Landmark Film School,' how to do this without over lighting or under lighting my content. The article explained that using less is more, that I should never use to big and bright of lights that will overwhelm and blind my participants, removing the appeal for the viewers. Keeping the key light subtle allows for proper, clear lighting for the camera with a soft light to illuminate the surroundings. The article also helps in ideas for angling the light and the best ways to do it depending on the effect we want to create. 

       Next, I went over how to film content of athletes concerning lighting. I learned about how to use lighting to follow my camera shots and how with my camera angles and movements, the lighting will have to change and move with them. If shooting on a phone like I will be, they recommended I use a clip on key light instead of the flash as it is too harsh and colorless as well as a back light to create a higher mood and emphasize the players. Lastly, the article also mentioned using natural light as much as possible to encourage immersion and realism for the audience to make the interviews feel like the person is responding to the viewers. 

       To be able to achieve my goal of using lighting to the best of my ability in these ways I can use these strategies. This will allow me to help subconsciously communicate with viewers and help develop emotional contexts within my interviewees. The lighting and camera angles working together all together will be the most beneficial of anything when developing my documentary.