00:00- Let there be light.
00:05- Cinematography is often
described as painting with light.
00:10The primary tool in this
process is the light meter,
00:14which to this day, helps
filmmakers create stunning images.
00:20This is 'What is a Light Meter'.
00:27Before we start measuring light, subscribe
to StudioBinder and click the bell to
00:31stay current on all
our filmmaking videos.
00:34Now, entering light speed.
00:36- You ready, Hecrum?
00:42- Alright, should we do this?
00:45- A light meter is a device
that measures quantities of light
00:47either in footcandles or lux.
00:51Light meters that calculate camera
settings based on these measurements
00:54are also referred to
as exposure meters.
00:58Exposure is controlled
using three elements.
01:01ISO, shutter
speed, and aperture.
01:06Once a photographer or cinematographer
knows the amount of light, they
01:10can adjust these elements to
obtain the desired exposure.
01:14For a deep dive into exposure triangle,
a playlist of the videos and our free
01:18ebook are linked
in the description.
01:21Now that we understand
what they do, let's look at the
01:24different types of light meters.
01:29The most common variations
of meters fall into two categories,
01:33incident and reflective.
01:36Incident meters measure the
amount of light hitting an object.
01:40They can be identified by
the white sphere near the top of
01:43the device called a lumisphere.
01:47The sphere allows the equipment
to take a reading of the light hitting
01:50the subject from all 180 degrees
01:53mimicking the spherical
shape of a face.
01:59Reflective light meters, also referred to
as spot meters, measure the amount of
02:03light being reflected
off of an object.
02:06Spot meters are typically used for
more specific readings of smaller areas.
02:10Rather than measure the amount
of light hitting the entirety of a
02:13subject, they may be used to measure
highlights and shadows independently.
02:18Reflective light meters usually work best
when measuring a mid-tone or middle gray card,
02:23a color that refers to the exact
halfway point between white and black.
02:29Some cameras have light meters
built into them, and these are also usually
02:33reflective with different
metering modes.
02:37Light meters can either
be analog or digital.
02:41Analog meters display
results with a needle.
02:45Digital meters
use an LED screen.
02:48While analog meters are typically cheaper,
they also are sometimes less accurate.
02:53For filmmakers looking to save
money, there are light meter apps
02:57for smartphones that use a phone's
camera to measure light levels.
03:00But these too are
often less accurate.
03:04There are also light meters which
include readings on the intensity
03:07of different light wavelengths.
03:09These tools are called spectroradiometers,
or spectrometers, and give filmmakers a
03:14detailed idea of the different colors
and qualities of light present in a scene.
03:19Because these devices include
such intricate measurements, they
03:22are usually much more expensive
than common light meters.
03:26No matter what type of meter
you're using, you'll want to
03:29ensure they have a cine option.
03:32Light meters for photography
will have different reading settings,
03:35typically calculating shutter
speed rather than aperture.
03:40There are other ways to ensure
an image is exposed correctly.
03:44Some monitors have false color features,
which use different colors to indicate
03:49different levels of
exposure in a shot.
03:52Monitors may also have a zebra
setting, which adds stripes to anything
03:56in the frame that
is overexposed.
03:59Filmmakers may also utilize histograms,
graphs that show the prominence
04:03of different exposure levels.
04:07But meters can bring a level
of precision and tactility that
04:09readings on a monitor cannot.
04:12Let's look at why
filmmakers use light meters.
04:18In an era where digital cameras have
a wider dynamic range than ever, and
04:22post-production coloring can transform
images, it's easy to see why some think
04:26light meters are
becoming obsolete.
04:29But even today, they
can be vital tools on set.
04:32First and foremost, light meters
allow you to get a more detailed
04:36understanding of
the light in a scene.
04:39Monitors, and even the
naked eye, can be deceiving.
04:42Meters can decisively tell you what
is properly exposed in your frame.
04:48They also allow a
cinematographer to communicate
04:50with their gaffers and
grips more effectively.
04:53Rather than speaking in vague
terms like lighter and darker
04:56a DP can give their team specific
values to hit in certain locations.
05:02Meters allow for light setups to begin
before a camera has even arrived.
05:07With a meter handy, gaffers and
grips can rig a scene without having to
05:10check how the light
looks on camera.
05:14This is particularly useful
for tech scouts as well.
05:17A crew can measure the pre-existing
ambient light in a given location
05:21to better understand how to
approach lighting on the shoot day.
05:26A light meter can also ensure
exposure continuity for shots where the
05:29camera moves through space,
like a long tracking shot for example.
05:33- What's a foot massage?
05:35- A foot massage is nothing.
05:36I gave my mother a foot massage.
05:38- The meter can take measurements throughout
the camera's path to make sure the
05:41frame will remain
adequately lit.
05:45Similarly, meters can maintain
lighting consistency from shot to shot.
05:49- But what if I need you?
05:52- A DP will typically use the device
to measure the contrast ratio in a shot
05:56which refers to the difference
in intensity between the key light
05:59and fill light on a subject.
06:02Typically 2:1, 4:1, or 8:1.
06:09Some meters will have save
readings, allowing for contrast ratios
06:12to be calculated more easily.
06:15A DP will often aim to keep this
ratio throughout a given scene.
06:18This is especially useful if a scene is
outside where the sun is moving throughout
06:23the day, or if reshoots are necessary
and a DP has to match lighting from a
06:27shot taken days or
even weeks before.
06:33Light meters can also be helpful
when conducting camera tests.
06:37Some cinematographers will
measure shadows and highlights with a
06:40meter and then
color the footage.
06:42This allows them to better
understand the dynamic range they
06:45are working with
on a given camera.
06:48More rigorous camera testing using a
meter can help a cinematographer determine
06:52the true ASA of a camera, which is often
slightly different than they are labeled.
06:58Of course, a light meter is only
useful if you know how to use it.
07:04Using a meter is relatively
straightforward, but there are
07:08a few factors to keep in mind.
07:11First, set the device to the
same ISO as your camera.
07:17If you're shooting on film,
match the ISO to the roll of film.
07:22Next, match your shutter speed and
shutter angle to the same as your camera.
07:27For most projects, this
angle should be 180 degrees.
07:33For wide shots of landscapes, you can
hold your meter in front of the camera,
07:37averaging light in
the general setting.
07:41If you are using an incident
light meter, make sure the
07:43lumisphere is facing the camera.
07:46If your subject is flat, you can flatten
the sphere, depending on the device.
07:52If you are using a reflective
meter, face the device towards the
07:56subject rather
than at the camera.
07:58You should face the subject from
the same direction as your camera.
08:02Finally, press the button
on the side of the meter.
08:05The tool will then indicate
the f-stop for normal exposure.
08:09From here, you can decide
to over or underexpose.
08:15When shooting on film, it's usually
best practice to expose for the
08:18shadows, since film can handle
overexposure better than underexposure.
08:24For scenes with high contrast,
getting multiple readings in different
08:27areas of a frame is a good idea.
08:31This will give you better understanding
of what will be under and overexposed.
08:37For heavily backlit scenes, you may be
able to get a reading of the light source.
08:41Since it's facing towards the camera,
but is obstructed by the subject.
08:46Finally, it is always a good
idea to consider reflectance.
08:50Black material will reflect light less
than white material, and vice versa.
08:57This is where a spot
meter can be useful.
09:02Light meters have
a multitude of uses.
09:04Using one of these small but
mighty devices can allow you to light
09:07more confidently, and makes a
colorist's job easier down the line.
09:12Great cinematography relies on
great lighting and lots of preparation.
09:17Start planning out your shots with
StudioBinder's storyboard software.
09:23Shine brightly,
but not too bright.
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