Allow us to shine a light on an important topic in filming: Lighting.
In order to create a visually compelling film, your shots need to be well lit. But you don’t always get to film your projects in optimal lighting. When working in the dark, it’s important to utilize key techniques for filming in low light. We implemented a strategic approach to navigate low lighting in our recent film project for Amazon.
Early Light Media partnered with Amazon to prepare a video encouraging customers to leave their porch lights on for delivery drivers this holiday season, as we celebrate Cyber Monday. We delivered the final edit 2.5 weeks after they first contacted us. We worked closely with Amazon to deliver their message in a clearly articulated way that felt natural and authentic. We filmed the entire piece in the evening and through the night — wrapping filming by 2 am. To achieve this, we had to be especially strategic about our lighting.
Here are some key tips we used to succeed when filming in low light.
1. Take Advantage Of Background Lighting
Don’t underestimate the light sources in your natural environment, even in low lighting. In this film, we used subtle background lighting, like street lamps, to help provide motivation to our light sources. We framed our shots to maximize this lighting. Relying on the lighting already present to help inform our shot choices and our lighting direction allowed the film to stay true to Amazon’s message by showing how difficult and hazardous it can be for the Amazon drivers if people do not keep their lights on.
2. Utilize Your Equipment
Sophisticated features on our camera equipment helped us make the most of the lighting we did have. We used the new Arri Alexa 35, which has a super 35 sensor. This made it very versatile when filming in low light due to its high dynamic range. We were able to push the ISO without pulling in too much noise. The camera also has a really cool “Low Light Assist” feature that helps to reduce noise when shooting at high ISOs. We paired this camera with the Zeiss Super Speeds MKII, which are super fast.
3. Stay True To Your Message
This film was meant to show people how important it is to leave porch lights on for Amazon workers, to keep them safe during night deliveries. Filming at night, in low lighting, played an instrumental part in demonstrating that. Our goal to stay true to this message shaped how we filmed the entire project. We worked hard to strike a balance between featuring well-lit shots, while making sure the lighting wasn’t too bright, since that would not be authentic to the message. We were proud to create a video that effectively educated people on safety for Amazon delivery drivers, and we did this by structuring our film techniques around that core theme.
Innovative lighting techniques can elevate your film, especially in challenging conditions. During the filming of our Amazon project, we faced the obstacle of capturing clear, engaging shots in low light. To overcome this, we experimented with unconventional lighting setups, such as using handheld LED panels to illuminate specific areas without overpowering the scene. This allowed us to maintain the desired mood and atmosphere while ensuring visibility and clarity in our shots. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to lighting—sometimes, the most unconventional solutions yield the most striking results.
