Home Free Library Store
Free Catalog



Save with a Two Year Membership

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.
Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members
Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index Search Posts
Who's Online Log In



Home: Video University Forums: HDV:
HC1 - background washout?

 
 


BrianMacKenzie
User


Jan 6, 2006, 8:28 AM

Post #1 of 5 (2171 views)
Shortcut
HC1 - background washout? Can't Post
Hello, i am using an HDR-HC1, and am curious to know how to limit the amount the background (being the sky, dull drab skies seem to be the biggest culprit)

could you please check out this video, and you will see what I mean.

It's a Parkour video

this was filmed in all automatic settings with a wide angle lens

www.LBMmultimedia.com/videos/pkTOfall2005.wmv

thanks for any advice.

.
Unicycling Glidecam-ist
Balance Productions

Need help with that editing backlog? My schedule is pretty open right now, I can get them done quickly, here is a sample of my editing
London Ontario Wedding Videos


David L
User


Jan 6, 2006, 1:05 PM

Post #2 of 5 (2159 views)
Shortcut
Re: [BrianMacKenzie] HC1 - background washout? [In reply to] Can't Post
To avoid excessive backlighting, you'll have to use manual exposure. On the HC1, that's the little button on the left side just in front of the lcd screen. Push that button to change to manual, then use the little toggle switch next to it to make adjustments. It will take a lot of practice and trial and error to get things right, though. In general, you want to try to shoot with the light behind you, not behind your subject.


videobear
Veteran


Jan 6, 2006, 2:18 PM

Post #3 of 5 (2154 views)
Shortcut
Re: [David L] HC1 - background washout? [In reply to] Can't Post
Yeah, I saw the auto-iris adjusting itself in a lot of shots.

The other thing is that video (not just HDV, and not just the HC1) doesn't have a lot of exposure latitude, so you want to frame the shots accordingly. In this case, that would mean more shots with little or no sky in them...shooting down instead of up, shooting where there's a building or a wall in the BG instead of sky, more closeups, etc. Another coping method would be to shoot during the "golden hour" before sunrise or sunset, when the sky is not nearly as bright.

You could also try using a polarizing filter to bring out what contrast there is in the sky.




Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions


BrianMacKenzie
User


Jan 7, 2006, 9:00 PM

Post #4 of 5 (2117 views)
Shortcut
Re: [videobear] HC1 - background washout? [In reply to] Can't Post
great, thanks for those tips!

would a polarized filter be something i could just keep on there, or would it be detremental except in the instances i would need it?

.
Unicycling Glidecam-ist
Balance Productions

Need help with that editing backlog? My schedule is pretty open right now, I can get them done quickly, here is a sample of my editing
London Ontario Wedding Videos


videobear
Veteran


Jan 7, 2006, 9:26 PM

Post #5 of 5 (2114 views)
Shortcut
Re: [BrianMacKenzie] HC1 - background washout? [In reply to] Can't Post
My polarizer is one of those that you have to rotate to get the polarizing effect. Since my lens rotates to focus, this means I can't use it and autofocus at the same time. Also, it acts a little like a neutral density filter, so the iris has to be opened a bit to compensate. For these reasons, I only use it in certain situations, and don't keep it on all the time. When not using some other filter, I keep a Skylight 1A clear filter on the lens for protection.

There are some polarizers that dont have a rotating element, and you might prefer one of them.




Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions