Chapter 16 Lighting Applications 361
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Working Vertically
In many cases, posters, paintings, charts,
and other large subjects are best handled
vertically. Make sure that the camera is
centered horizontally and vertically, at a true
90° angle to the artwork. Position the lights far
enough back to wash the subject evenly, and
keep them at a 45° or less angle from the wall
(Figure 16-50).
Placing the camera far back with a telephoto lens
setting will improve the quality of the recorded
image.
Graphic Materials
Many programs include two-dimensional
subjects—photos, paintings, graphics, letters,
book pages—in place of moving subjects. With
today’s quality equipment, it is often easiest
to record subjects with flatbed scanners and fl
import their fi les into video programs during fi
postproduction. If the fl at material is larger fl
than about 8″ × 10″, however, scanning is often
impractical. You will need to record these larger
subjects directly using a special lighting setup.
Whether working horizontally or vertically, it is
usually easier to record flat graphics with a still
camera, touch up the best frame in a photo editing
program, and import the still into the video.
Organizing a Setup
Most often, you will work with the graphic
material on a fl at surface and the tripod-mounted fl
camera is aimed down at it. A sheet of glass
will help hold the material fl at, but may create fl
refl problems. The lighting is simple: one flection
unit on each side of the artwork (Figure 16-49).
Clamp work lights with fl uorescent or halogen fl
lamps are easy to position and adjust.
Dealing with Reflectionsfl
With or without a glass cover plate, light
refl are often a problem. To solve them, flections
make sure that the lights are aimed at a 45° angle.
Figure 16-48. Ring lights are available in LED arrays.
Litepanels, Inc.
Figure 16-49. A professional copy stand with light
diffusion for larger graphics.
Manfrotto, USA
45° 45°
Figure 16-50. To avoid reflections, place copy lights at
a 45° angle from the lens axis.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher