Posted by Bill Farnsworth on 06/20/06 16:46

"Steve Guidry" <steveguidry1@earthlink.net> wrote
> Here's the best advice you'll get : Ditch the lakeside idea.
> Probably it
> wll require scrims, and a truckload of HMI's and the generators to
> run them.
> I've been reading your other posts, and my sense of this matter is
> that
> skills-wise you're just starting out, and budget-wise you don't have
> a lot
> of money to work with. take it from me . . . this kind of shoot is
> damn
> hard even for skilled folks with the right gear.
>
> If the band wants to be amongst nature, put 'em against a wooded
> green
> background, and shoot on an overcast day. Then enjoy teh shoot, and
> the
> accolades you'll get when your video looks great.
>
> Steve
>

I like what Steve says.

And right now only YOU know you technical and budget limitations.
It is a great idea, but you might have to save it for later.
However............
What time of day to shoot?
Beats me. You didn't mention where in the world you are or which
direction the camera is facing in relation to the sun. Or what is in
the background besides a lake. (homes, campers, park benches.......
etc......)
What is BEHIND the camera? Tall trees? Road access? A parking lot?

Right now, early or late in the day doesn't matter because without us
knowing what the location conditions are we can't help you determine
what time of day is best to shoot. And I am only referring to what is
best for exposure. NOT STYLE.
Depending on the time of day, if the sun is behind the camera (which
it doesn't sound like it because of the reflection issue) and there
are tall trees behind the camera, or in the vicinity, you may have
shadows creeping across your shot.
If the sun is behind the scene causing reflection issues then you may
be able to avoid them by changing your angle or waiting for the sun's
reflection to move off your shot.
So go to the location and either spend the day, or come back at
various times throughout the day to check on the lighting conditions.
Not long ago, Bill Davis invited me down to Arizona and shoot a
project for him.
Because of the exterior lighting conditions, and the fact that we had
to be done before the location opened for business, one scene dictated
that we shoot just before sunrise.
He got up before the crack of dawn and went to the location to make
sure the shot would work for the camera angles.

That having been said, here are some more options .....
SO, YOU DON'T HAVE A BIG BUDGET...............

1. If the sun is behind or to either side of the subject use large
silver reflectors.
Since they are not cheap to buy, you might be able to rent. But
without insurance, you won't be able to rent them, or they won't come
cheap.
If the location is near a parking lot and you somehow have access to a
large white truck, then park it parallel to the shot and use THAT as a
reflector. (I know, not everyone has access to a large white truck)
Or, go to your local hardware store and buy a large roll of silver
thermal insulation. This stuff is great. It has a soft reflection and
is fairly cheap.Use your imagination for practical application for
your working environment. (4x8 sheets of old thin sheets of plywood or
foam core come to mind)
If you do have access to a large truck, use the insulation to cover
the side that is facing the shot. You won't have any problem with
backlight. But you might have issues with squinting.

2. Without reflectors or lighting, you might consider shooting fairly
tight to keep the reflections out of the background.

3. Shoot the wide shot REALLY WIDE to minimize the amount of
reflection in relation to the total area in the shot.

4. Use the reflections to your advantage by shooting some wide shots
with the subjects in silhouette.

5. Use the reflections to your advantage by shooting some tight shots
with the subjects in silhouette.

6 BRING A MONITOR.

How's that?

Bill F.
www.billfarnsworthvideo.com

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