Simple and Powerful Natural Lighting Technique (Cinematic Lighting)

In this video, I'm gonna show you how to use bounce light and how to expose for a sunny exterior. My goal is to show the sunlight in the scene in a natural way, by keeping the sun the harsh source that it is. Enjoy :)

FilmMatch PowerGrade:

Detailed explanation video:

[emmanuelnkwocha]

One thing that i would suggest is, looks like you have created a sun sandwich instead of sunwrap! now there's nothing wrong with a sun sandwich if that's what the vibe your looking for, but its just nice to keep the differences in mind as your shooting with natural light :)

[weztastudio]

Finally, a youtube channel with actual info!!! Thank you so much. I came to this conclusion this summer, when my friend asked to make some fotos of him, suddenly during day time, then i thought backlight is a king

[wearetrackclub]

Love your editing style and how you put this tutorial together. Solid work!

[artemklimashin]

MAN just found your chanel and all I can say is WOW. So much specific information, useful tips, straight to the point, multi layer explanation and in a fun way? WOW. Subscribed.

[dannygandolfini]

great video man keep doing you and being informative 🔥🔥🔥

[metamuhamudnoah]

Well explained 👏 👌
Men you are a life saver

[MJDreams]

I love how you show simple way of making your video better, and also mention what could be done if someone had more resources.
ps. do you recommend for enthusiast (lumix g9) any VND filter or ND filter? I'm moving to tropical country not far from equator. Gear is expensive there so I wonder what make sense to buy and be useful.

I'm just confused about filters ND vs VND... many say VND are useless (side effect). Then I'm not sure which adaptor/system to use to make sure lens will be ok (safe) (leica 12-60mm). and CLP. I guess ND filter is best outdoor during a day. Does it make sense also to use grade filters at location like blue sky and ocean - or it would just good for b-roll or only for photography?

VND seems like "cheaper" option and less things around and more flexible. On the other hand fixed ND give better quality. Any suggestion, but anyone who doesn't sells/promote filters :)

[BlackPartyFilms]

Can you do this again without the sun sandwich? Wrapping the light from the sun side of frame?

[dobleuxyz]

Looks really nice I've used this technique before but it hits a little too hard on the eyes of the subject as you mentioned and some people just can't hold the squinting which could defeat the purpose in narrative style of work, and because it doesn't look that natural (there's no clear motivation for such amounts of lights on her face) I think it is better suited for commercials where things can look unapologetically produced.

I still like the look that you managed to get quite a lot and you make really good videos! Keep it up!

[plisskenetic]

Thanks for the simple video it was helpful. I got a great tip for you - take a still of your actual setup fr future videos. I was hoping to see how big was your reflector and its distance from the subject even tho its a simple setup. I know u have the illustrated diagram but seeing an actual still of where your equipment is as well as where your subject is standing is way more satisfying/ helpful for a video guide. A lot of other 'lighting' videos always seem to skip this part and just talk about where to place the equipment but never show a real BTS still of exactly how things looked on the set. Again, showing an illustrated diagram is never enough. I guess if u wanna stand out from others this could be helpful. Thanks and keep up the good work! 👍

[Pyramidz_]

This is such a helpful video thank you! Question; do your LUTS on film-match work for Capcut?

[halfgraincinematography]

Like mentioned in another comment, you created a sun sandwich and I definitely wouldn’t say this looks natural. Very unnatural actually, to me at least. With the sun coming from her back and all the shadows in the background being very dark the eyes wonder where is that light on her face coming from? Since you’re in a park, it’s unlikely to expect a white wall or object randomly next to her so we think it looks lit (bounce or light). Btw, the fact that she is blinded by the bounce in an uncomfortable way usually also tells you that it’s unnatural)

A sun wrap would look a little more natural (you would want to shoot the other side of her face in order to stay on the shadow side) but probably still not realistic because the bounce is somewhat small and directional. The most natural setup IMO would be a very large bounce directly behind camera to lift the overall levels on her face, plus a little sun wrap bounce to create depth to her face but carefully.

Also, why are you shooting at f22? :)

[fourth]

It looks like you were holding the bounce board about level or slightly below her.. of not, my bad, but it's recommended u hold the bounce board up high and bounce down so u don't get those horror shadows on the face 😊

[rothellecooke]

I would like to see this with real film like 16mm, and not digital, But great video and better than most I've seen. Everyone talk what the did but you don't see any BTS...

[kereminion]

beginning: we will only need 2 things for this
2:00: proceeds to mention the third thing

[J_HNP]

As some have mentioned, you got yourself a good ol’ sun sandwich. Not bad looking, but you could have solved this (and eliminated the reflection of the eye glasses) by wrapping the sun around the actors right side (camera left), creating a far-side key.

This would have given your actor a shadow side facing the cam, and created more shape overall.

Generally, I always try to avoid “bouncing” sun back at a 180deg angle, as this looks fake and over lit. When someone says “wrap” the light, I try to place the bounce on a 90-120deg angle between the actor and the sun, allowing you to extend the reach of the sun to wrap a bit more around the actors face.

[theowlfromduolingo]

Why shoot at f22, why not go for more subject background separation?

[shueibdahir]

4:41 i'm sorry dude that is definetly not a proper rec.709 transform. Even if it is there's something wrong.

Instead of using LUTs, try to use colorspace transform or ACES input transform. I have a feeling the Logarithmic Gamma Curve of SLog isn't being converted to a Linear signal properly.

[MediaBuster]

I was waiting for the "cinematic" good looking image, because both images you show look bad. One is too dark and one is too bright, even with the bounce. Blacks/gamma are crushed way too much, especially the background.

[ludovicavice]

People commenting like they are some experts 😅 then why are you even watching these kind of videos 😮