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How to Look for & Film Different Types of Light

Lesson 17 from: Filming Families: The Modern Family Video

Courtney Holmes

How to Look for & Film Different Types of Light

Lesson 17 from: Filming Families: The Modern Family Video

Courtney Holmes

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Lesson Info

17. How to Look for & Film Different Types of Light

Lessons

Class Trailer
1

Class Introduction

09:38
2

The Spark That Inspired Me

13:50
3

What Are Family Films?

06:15
4

Gear for Family Films

11:50
5

Camera Settings for Video

02:56
6

Frame Rates & Slow Motion

20:48
7

Picture Profiles & Color Grading

06:47
8

Settings for Audio Capture

14:13

Lesson Info

How to Look for & Film Different Types of Light

This goes back to my whole experience with depression, P&D after my daughter was born, being really sick during pregnancy. And after a while I noticed I was shooting my photos really dark, like I really leaned towards the moody, dark edits. And light, I loved exploring this relationship between light and shadow in my photos, and I was sitting down and trying to really understand why that is, like why am I so drawn to doing that? And I worked out that the reason is because for me light represents hope. So I'm so drawn to that in my work, my images, because that's what made me feel hopeful. That's how photography was my therapy. That's what pulled me through, and I do this for families, too, because I feel like incorporating light into their films, it's just adding in that hope for them as well. And it's just part of who I am. So any time that I can bring in light and photograph light, and film light, I especially love filming light because it just, like I said, breathes life into it...

, I will. That's why it plays a really heavy part in my work. So examples of the way that I'll film light. I'm looking for dappled light. I love when there's sunlight coming through trees, and the trees are moving, windy. Windy days, they're good. So the trees, the leaves are moving and you've got this dappled light that's got movement in it. I love, love, love that. That's just on the deck. The sun flare through a window, I love to incorporate if I can. Backlight. Anything where I can get light through something, through, like this is just moving grass. Is that grass, weeds, something? Reflected light. There's a million different possibilities of light. These are just some examples of what I do. And light is what inspires me to shoot. Window light. Just that really soft, beautiful, this is what they see when they wake up in the morning light. So I think that if you are inspired by light as well, learning to observe it, recognize it, and shoot it is going to add a lot to your films. Incorporating it into your films, it's gonna add a lot to it.

Class Materials

Bonus Materials with Purchase

Shot List Worksheet Template
Shot List Worksheet Example
Ideas for Your First Film
Discount Code

Ratings and Reviews

Adam Nicholls
 

Worth a watch! Courtney provides a clear and organised class, she is also very passionate about what she does which is always nice to see. She has a great back story which is fantastic. This course is good for beginners who have some knowledge in photography and want to learn more about video. I would recommend that people do not refer this class to the bible of filmmaking as I feel you can expand further on what Courtney teaches. Some useful tips for beginners but some methods I personally feel can be taught differently. I feel a gimbal is a useful bit of kit if used correctly. You can still use a gimbal when in manual mode providing you follow the basics rules! Obviously if Courtney prefers not to use a gimbal then that's also fine but I wouldn't discourage students from exploring useful filmmaking tools. Slow motion can be achieved with 50/60fps however I feel other frame rates should have been discussed like 120fps. I liked that Courtney engaged with the students as it gets them involved and will help them remember what they have learned during the class. Thank you for taking the time to share some of your knowledge

a Creativelive Student
 

Courtney's work is absolutely amazing and inspiring. I feel lucky that she has chosen to share her process and that this class is available! After watching all the videos and trying my hand at this video thing, I am feeling really encouraged and inspired to do more- both personally and professionally. I appreciate the way that she breaks things down in the video and that she shares her thought process. A really great course!

AShley
 

Courtney’s course completes me! I have storytelling “holes” in my film previously, but this course helped fill those holes to create a flow and a film with emotion. Not only is the course wonderful (and well worth every penny) but Courtney is wonderful as well! I had such an amazing experience at Creative Live!!!!

Student Work

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