Beautiful tips and examples! My general rule for interview shots is to place the off-screen interviewer between the camera and the key light. That way you always know you’ll be filming the dark side of the subject’s face. For example, left to right: key light, interviewer, camera A, camera B.
Thanks so much for reiterating the shoot on the shadow side. Sometimes i forget with all the other stuff to remember when your a one man band. If you do a part 2, PLEASE include more overhead diagrams to show where to sit (interviewer) in relation to lighting setups. Thanks again….LOVE LOVE LOVE your content!!
Will do! Always sit the interviewer as close to camera A as possible and on the side of the key light. That way they Aren’t looking too far away from the camera.
Brittney, this was extremely helpful, thank you. Especially the part about the catchlight. I always look as to where the catchlights are positioned in my subjects eyes in still photography. I think that's important especially when photographing beauty portraits and headshots.
thank you for these tips, i think showing an example of the 180 rule for the camera placement would be great, if you could do that with a friend or just pretend you were talking to someone else that would really drive your point home and help us learn. cause i was confused a bit when you were explaining how NOT to break it... if that makes sense. but again we appreciate you as always Brittney, you doing ya thing!
I was going to do that but didn’t have the time. But that’s why I created the overhead to try to show. But basically if you don’t have an interviewer the 180 is between you and the camera. If it is a second person the 180 is between the two people. Don’t have the two cameras crossing the line. Lol idk if that made it better or not
5:54 Best tip I’ve learned about catch lights is that unless you’re achieving the catch light with a bounce, if your talent can’t see the light source, then there won’t be a catch light in the eye. This is useful when you’re moving the light around and can’t monitor the camera - Just ask the talent to tell you when they can see it. If they can also see the camera, then angle of incidence and angle of reflectance should mean you have a catch light
this just popped up on my screen and I decided to click on it. This video literally just leveled up my podcast LOL. I cant wait to go record the CORRECT way now LOL. thanks. SUB EARNED!!
Brittney! I love it! Just wanted to say I appreciate your channel! Love seeing my sista out here doing her thing! Crushing it and just doing it with such style! Also, your video on skin tones changed the game for me! Thank you!
Thanks for producing this great video and dropping these tips!!! I will definitely be using these tips in my next interview. I even took a screenshot to ensure I remember the angles of the camera! Keep up the great work!!!
So dope as always, Brittney. I’ve seen on your channel how you light interviews. I’m curious how you would light two person podcasts with a three cam set up. (A two shot and over the shoulders) - Anthony
Thank you! I’ve lit two person podcast in many different ways. Usually putting two KEO lights by camera A and B. Or using an overhead light and bouncing from below. The next time I have one I’ll record!
Usually yes! A cam is considered your main camera. It’s probably going to be the most used angle. B cam is usually the backup, the one that gets the second angle or detailed shots. In film it can just be the second angle to the a cam.
Great tips. Have you ever had a celebrity questiion your lighting setup? I've heard of a couple examples of that before. They apparently know what kind of lighting looks better to them.
Normally I don’t. I usually turn the monitor around an let them see. But there was a case recently when the lighting looked good, but I saw a reflection in the window and when I tried moving the light the celeb stopped me lol. They just want to look good. But they don’t factor in everything else.
@@BrittneyJanae This was a singer (in her 60's now)...she was being interviewed by a TV news crew. She wanted only the flat lighting from the light mounted on the camera.
Nope doesn’t matter! The cool thing is you can look at a shot with catchlights and kinda tell what modifier was used, like octo compared to square. Helps me see how some of my favorite things were shot.
When it comes to catch light, what’s the thought process when client is wearing clear prescription glasses. Do we want to avoid reflections? Would we try to balance between reflection and eye lift?
Yea you would have to raise the light a little higher so you don’t get reflections in the glasses which means you wouldn’t see as much catch light which is okay. But you could also try using a bounce below that would reflect from the key to get the catch light.
Good question! You can still see someone’s eyes through their glasses. You just have to make sure you don’t get glare from your key light. Go check out @dslrvideoshooter page. He wears glasses and you can still see the catch light in his eyes.
These are great tips - I love your videos and your filming styles and tutorial style - do you have any suggestions for lighting or composition for 2 person interviews where the interviewer is also on screen - and not doing the typical 60minutes over the shoulder - I am trying to get better 2 person interviews when I am on camera interviewing someone - basically how to get two people talking but not look weird!
@@BrittneyJanae yes - and maybe only with 2 cameras at times - I have tried keeping one wide with 2 people and then the other close on just the subject - the issue I am having is trying to get a good look with 2 people talking to each other wide. The close angle for the other person usually looks really nice but I dont always have access to a third camera for a second close. A lot of times my situation is - I am solo - walking into a record store or studio - and then trying to get me and the other person in the interview but still have it look cool and cinematic. I feel like once 2 people get in there it becomes very NEWS like - or at least that is what I am achieving and I want to step it up!
Some people may have a small 1ft or a mc4 that they use to get catchlights if they don't see one. Catchlights are easy to achieve. If your light is direct on the subject most times it's automatic. If it's a side light it may not hit as hard but most time at a 45 or directly on, you're getting one. I'll be talking about it briefly on my next video but will also do a video on them.
Do you have any advice for when and how often to cut between the A and B cam views in the edit? I know it is used partly to hide cuts and partly to emphasize what the subject is saying, but that still leaves a lot of options while editing
Honestly editing really is about pacing. That’s what makes an editor a good editor. I can’t say that there’s a specific time or how many times you should do it, you really have to just feel when it’s time. Crazy to say. There are times when I feel I cut too fast and it doesn’t feel right, or I feel I cut too much, so I go back and watch it. But you don’t want to disrupt the story being told so really trying to find that pacing. Learning J and L cuts. But I’m sorry I don’t have a concrete answer. I’ve been doing it for so long that I can just feel when a cut is bad or when a cut is good and when pacing is off and when it’s good. Don’t just cut to cut, really listen to the story and let that guide your cutting experience.
The 180 degree rule one happened to me on a recent talking head shoot. It looked like the client was looking in both directions when I cut the footage :/ I know for next time now!!
So how do they hire you? Are you an employee of People or do you work for an agency that People uses or do they contract you directly as an independent freelancer? Are you a solopreneur or do you have your own company?
I’m a freelance Director of Photography. So most times I’m hired by word of mouth! If you’re work is good and your spirit is right people will want to work with you and spread your name! I’ve learned the industry is about who you know. Just make sure you have the skills to keep yourself in the room.
You can keep it the same but you may have to go higher on the light so that when they move their head the light doesn’t show in their glasses. So you may get less catchlight but because glasses reflect you should get something
The catchlight usually is in the eye. You don’t really place it anywhere. It’s just a reflection from your key. The position all depends on where you place your key
I have a color grading video on my channel! But first it starts with lighting the right way to being out the persons skin tone and then using the right rec 709 to get a good foundation. And then getting the skin tones right in post
Beautiful tips and examples! My general rule for interview shots is to place the off-screen interviewer between the camera and the key light. That way you always know you’ll be filming the dark side of the subject’s face. For example, left to right: key light, interviewer, camera A, camera B.
Thank you and yep another great tip!
Thanks so much for reiterating the shoot on the shadow side. Sometimes i forget with all the other stuff to remember when your a one man band.
If you do a part 2, PLEASE include more overhead diagrams to show where to sit (interviewer) in relation to lighting setups. Thanks again….LOVE LOVE LOVE your content!!
Will do! Always sit the interviewer as close to camera A as possible and on the side of the key light. That way they Aren’t looking too far away from the camera.
I learned so much from this thank you Brittney!
Brittney, this was extremely helpful, thank you. Especially the part about the catchlight. I always look as to where the catchlights are positioned in my subjects eyes in still photography. I think that's important especially when photographing beauty portraits and headshots.
Thank you! Yes it really can make a break a photo and some of the most captivating photos are because of the catchlights in the eyes!
This was the most well explained video I've ever watched, and I learnt so much from it. The visuals were the icing on top. Thanks so much Brittney!
Wow thank YOU so much!! Appreciate this
thank you for these tips, i think showing an example of the 180 rule for the camera placement would be great, if you could do that with a friend or just pretend you were talking to someone else that would really drive your point home and help us learn. cause i was confused a bit when you were explaining how NOT to break it... if that makes sense. but again we appreciate you as always Brittney, you doing ya thing!
I was going to do that but didn’t have the time. But that’s why I created the overhead to try to show. But basically if you don’t have an interviewer the 180 is between you and the camera. If it is a second person the 180 is between the two people. Don’t have the two cameras crossing the line. Lol idk if that made it better or not
Another classic! Such great setups and frames! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
5:54 Best tip I’ve learned about catch lights is that unless you’re achieving the catch light with a bounce, if your talent can’t see the light source, then there won’t be a catch light in the eye. This is useful when you’re moving the light around and can’t monitor the camera - Just ask the talent to tell you when they can see it. If they can also see the camera, then angle of incidence and angle of reflectance should mean you have a catch light
Yep it def helps me when moving the camera as well!
Thank you for this sista! As a budding filmmaker / creator I appreciate your tips and tutorials! More on lighting please 🙌🏾🔥
Always so appreciative of your tips you give away for free!!! Also, your skin tones are always clutch👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾……did you develop your own LUTs???
Thank you!! For this one I did not color. But I’m big on making sure the lighting is right so that color is right.
this just popped up on my screen and I decided to click on it. This video literally just leveled up my podcast LOL. I cant wait to go record the CORRECT way now LOL. thanks. SUB EARNED!!
Thank you!!
Girl your lighting skills are >>>>>>
I'm a silent follower based in Italy, I really love your content ❤
Thank's for sharing it with us
Thank you! I’ll be hitting Italy soon for my 35th in April!
Hey thank you so much! This is exactly what I needed 🔥
Glad it helped!
Always hated lighting but you made this real simple with this basic breakdown. Especially the shadow tip. Thanks for this.
You're so welcome!
Shooting an intervention for a project for film school and this was so helpful, thank you!
No worries!! Also make sure you check out my new video as well! Hope they help and you got this!
Awesome video and tips. Examples would be very helpful for me!!
I’ll make sure I do person examples next time.
Amazing love the drawings! Thank youuu
Glad you like them!
Thanks for this, really nice and helpful. Subscribed!
Thanks for the sub!
Happy that I found your channel. I am learning more about videography for my business. Thanks!
Happy to help!
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for watching!
Great Video...
Great tips. Thanks!
Thank you!
Brittney! I love it! Just wanted to say I appreciate your channel! Love seeing my sista out here doing her thing! Crushing it and just doing it with such style! Also, your video on skin tones changed the game for me! Thank you!
Thank you so much!! And I’m glad it helped!!
Eres la mejoooor!!!! te amo! jiji
Love your content please keep it up
Will do!
This video is a 💎! Thank you, thank you so much for these tips in action.
Awesome tutorial. Thanks Brittney!
beautiful! thank you for these tips! lighting is so intimating for me but this was really helpful
No problem! Honestly people do a lot with light. This was a simple 2 light. It’s the details that really amplify the lighting
Thank you
This was filled with gems. 💎 thank you for sharing
Thanks for producing this great video and dropping these tips!!! I will definitely be using these tips in my next interview. I even took a screenshot to ensure I remember the angles of the camera! Keep up the great work!!!
Let me know if you have any questions
love the growth, your inspiring me here in Jamaica
🥹🥹 thank you!
Loving your channel so far!
You are a BEAST!!!!!!........ Killing it I am a Fan.
Thank you!
Cousin! This is 🔥🔥 . You dropped major 💎💎💎
Thank you!!
These interviews look great fr
Great info here! Well done!
Thanks for all the info. APPRECIATED. But where do you place your catchlight?
You don’t really place your catchlights. You place your light in a way that you get catchlights in the eyes. They are just reflections of the light
@@BrittneyJanae So that’s a catchlight right ? Hmmmmm!!! Ok !! Got the post explanation well now . 🤣👍🏽
amazing tips, keep em coming!
Love it!!! Great video
Great advice!
So dope as always, Brittney. I’ve seen on your channel how you light interviews. I’m curious how you would light two person podcasts with a three cam set up. (A two shot and over the shoulders)
- Anthony
Thank you! I’ve lit two person podcast in many different ways. Usually putting two KEO lights by camera A and B. Or using an overhead light and bouncing from below. The next time I have one I’ll record!
Preach sis! your stuff is legit.
Is the B cam always the tight? I mean one form the shadow side.
Usually yes! A cam is considered your main camera. It’s probably going to be the most used angle. B cam is usually the backup, the one that gets the second angle or detailed shots. In film it can just be the second angle to the a cam.
@@BrittneyJanae Right! Thank you for the insight.
Thank you!!!!
Great tips. Have you ever had a celebrity questiion your lighting setup? I've heard of a couple examples of that before. They apparently know what kind of lighting looks better to them.
Normally I don’t. I usually turn the monitor around an let them see. But there was a case recently when the lighting looked good, but I saw a reflection in the window and when I tried moving the light the celeb stopped me lol. They just want to look good. But they don’t factor in everything else.
@@BrittneyJanae This was a singer (in her 60's now)...she was being interviewed by a TV news crew. She wanted only the flat lighting from the light mounted on the camera.
Great content!!
just subscribed and liked
Thank you so much!
Director Respect to Brittney.🎥🎥#MYLIFEBEHINDTHELENS
Great content. Quick question, does the shape of the catch light matter? E.g. using a rectangular softbox vs a parabolic one.
Nope doesn’t matter! The cool thing is you can look at a shot with catchlights and kinda tell what modifier was used, like octo compared to square. Helps me see how some of my favorite things were shot.
Can you do a video about catch light
Will do!
When it comes to catch light, what’s the thought process when client is wearing clear prescription glasses. Do we want to avoid reflections? Would we try to balance between reflection and eye lift?
Yea you would have to raise the light a little higher so you don’t get reflections in the glasses which means you wouldn’t see as much catch light which is okay. But you could also try using a bounce below that would reflect from the key to get the catch light.
Great information. What app are you using to write/draw on top of your footage?
I use the Sidus link to do the setup and then use my iPad to draw
How much does catch light play a role if someone is wearing glasses?
Good question! You can still see someone’s eyes through their glasses. You just have to make sure you don’t get glare from your key light. Go check out @dslrvideoshooter page. He wears glasses and you can still see the catch light in his eyes.
These are great tips - I love your videos and your filming styles and tutorial style - do you have any suggestions for lighting or composition for 2 person interviews where the interviewer is also on screen - and not doing the typical 60minutes over the shoulder - I am trying to get better 2 person interviews when I am on camera interviewing someone - basically how to get two people talking but not look weird!
Like a standard 2 person interview with 3 cameras?
@@BrittneyJanae yes - and maybe only with 2 cameras at times - I have tried keeping one wide with 2 people and then the other close on just the subject - the issue I am having is trying to get a good look with 2 people talking to each other wide. The close angle for the other person usually looks really nice but I dont always have access to a third camera for a second close. A lot of times my situation is - I am solo - walking into a record store or studio - and then trying to get me and the other person in the interview but still have it look cool and cinematic. I feel like once 2 people get in there it becomes very NEWS like - or at least that is what I am achieving and I want to step it up!
what are some techniques that you use for catch light?
Some people may have a small 1ft or a mc4 that they use to get catchlights if they don't see one. Catchlights are easy to achieve. If your light is direct on the subject most times it's automatic. If it's a side light it may not hit as hard but most time at a 45 or directly on, you're getting one. I'll be talking about it briefly on my next video but will also do a video on them.
Do you have any advice for when and how often to cut between the A and B cam views in the edit? I know it is used partly to hide cuts and partly to emphasize what the subject is saying, but that still leaves a lot of options while editing
Honestly editing really is about pacing. That’s what makes an editor a good editor. I can’t say that there’s a specific time or how many times you should do it, you really have to just feel when it’s time. Crazy to say. There are times when I feel I cut too fast and it doesn’t feel right, or I feel I cut too much, so I go back and watch it. But you don’t want to disrupt the story being told so really trying to find that pacing. Learning J and L cuts. But I’m sorry I don’t have a concrete answer. I’ve been doing it for so long that I can just feel when a cut is bad or when a cut is good and when pacing is off and when it’s good. Don’t just cut to cut, really listen to the story and let that guide your cutting experience.
The 180 degree rule one happened to me on a recent talking head shoot. It looked like the client was looking in both directions when I cut the footage :/ I know for next time now!!
Yep! I’ve been there for sure! It def makes a difference once you go into the editing and see how jarring it looks
I went to take your class...
How can I register.
So how do they hire you? Are you an employee of People or do you work for an agency that People uses or do they contract you directly as an independent freelancer? Are you a solopreneur or do you have your own company?
I’m a freelance Director of Photography. So most times I’m hired by word of mouth! If you’re work is good and your spirit is right people will want to work with you and spread your name!
I’ve learned the industry is about who you know. Just make sure you have the skills to keep yourself in the room.
@@BrittneyJanae Thank you and thanks for all the tips! I'm out here self-learning by taking courses, etc. I don't have a formal education.
Quick question, why you have a light bar on top of your monitor??
Because I don’t have light in my room so when I’m working or reading at my desk it gives me light especially around night
How do you normally change your "catchlight" rule when the talent is wearing glasses?
You can keep it the same but you may have to go higher on the light so that when they move their head the light doesn’t show in their glasses. So you may get less catchlight but because glasses reflect you should get something
I would love to do your bts content. I'm In LA too! I would love to learn from another black woman!
one question, where would you normally place your catch light?
The catchlight usually is in the eye. You don’t really place it anywhere. It’s just a reflection from your key. The position all depends on where you place your key
My big question is how do you color grade to make your skin rich ?
I have a color grading video on my channel! But first it starts with lighting the right way to being out the persons skin tone and then using the right rec 709 to get a good foundation. And then getting the skin tones right in post
Great content. Where are you based?
Thank you! I’m in Los Angeles