Shooting a Docu-Style Commercial Using Natural Light: A Behind-the-Scenes Breakdown
Capturing authentic moments using natural light and minimal equipment.
In this post, I'm going to show you how I was able to shoot a docu-style commercial using only one light—or sometimes none at all. The project was for a small family-owned ranch in Maryland that offers rides and experiences for children. I'll break down the key scenes, explain how I achieved specific looks, and share tips on using natural light to your advantage.
The Vision: Embracing Natural Light
The look I was aiming for was as natural as possible. I wanted the lighting to feel authentic and organic, enhancing the story without overwhelming it. This approach not only saves on equipment costs but also allows for a more spontaneous and genuine atmosphere during the shoot.
Scene Breakdown
1. The Kitchen Morning Scene
Sunlight streaming through the kitchen window creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Location: A rustic kitchen with dark wood cabinetry and hardwood floors.
Objective: Capture the family starting their day, highlighting the warmth and closeness of their morning routine.
How I Achieved This Look:
Timing is Everything: I used an app called Sun Surveyor to plan the shoot for early morning when the sun would shine directly through the kitchen window.
Harnessing the Sun: The low angle of the morning sun provided a soft, warm light that streamed through the window.
Using a Haze Machine: I introduced a subtle haze to make the sun rays visible, adding depth and a dreamy quality to the scene.
Natural Light Absorption: The dark wood in the kitchen absorbed excess light, preventing the scene from becoming overly bright and helping to focus attention on the subjects.
Bounce Light: White walls opposite the window acted as natural reflectors, providing a gentle fill light on the family's faces.
Key Takeaway: By carefully planning the time of day and utilizing the existing elements in the space, I was able to create a beautifully lit scene without additional artificial lighting.
2. The Living Room Interview
An intimate interview setup using natural light and minimal equipment.
Location: The family's living room with a large window.
Objective: Conduct an intimate interview with the mother, capturing her thoughts and emotions authentically.
How I Achieved This Look:
Natural Key Light: Positioned the subject next to a large window, using the natural daylight as the primary light source.
Supplemental Fill Light: Used a Godox SL60W LED light with a large diffuser from the same side as the window to softly fill in shadows without creating a secondary light direction.
Practical Lighting: Included a lamp in the background to add warmth and depth to the scene. I exposed for the practical light to ensure it wasn't blown out.
Camera Settings: Shot with my favorite lens, a 35mm, to achieve a natural field of view and shallow depth of field.
Key Takeaway: Augmenting natural light with a single artificial source from the same direction maintains a cohesive look and enhances the existing lighting conditions.
Additional Scenes and Techniques
Backlit Outdoor Shots
The family is beautifully separated from the background using backlighting.
Golden Hour Shooting: Filmed during early morning and late afternoon to take advantage of the soft, warm light.
Camera Positioning: Kept the camera on the shadow side of the subjects to capture depth and dimension.
Subject Separation: Used backlighting to create an edge light around the subjects, helping them stand out against the background.
Shallow Depth of Field: Shot with a wide aperture (around T2.1) to blur the background and focus attention on the subjects.
Detail Shots Indoors
Natural light highlights the textures and details of the saddle.
Utilizing Window Light: Captured close-ups of objects like hats and saddles near windows to showcase textures.
Shadow Play: Emphasized shadows to add contrast and visual interest.
Minimal Equipment: Relied solely on natural light for these shots.
Tips for Shooting with Minimal Lighting
Plan Ahead: Use apps like Sun Surveyor to understand the sun's trajectory and schedule your shoots accordingly.
Be Patient: Waiting for the right light can make all the difference. Patience is key when relying on natural light.
Use Practical Locations: Choose settings that naturally lend themselves to good lighting conditions.
Leverage Natural Reflectors: White walls, ceilings, and other surfaces can act as bounce sources to fill in shadows.
Enhance with Minimal Gear: A simple LED light and diffuser can go a long way when used thoughtfully.
Final Thoughts
This project was a great example of how you can achieve professional-looking results with minimal equipment by making the most of natural light. Whether you're a one-person crew or working with a tight budget, planning and understanding light are your most valuable tools.
If you enjoyed this breakdown and found it helpful, please leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions. For more tips and behind-the-scenes content, consider subscribing and checking out my previous videos.
Happy shooting!
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