PSchreck150

Q: backlit nightmare

Started shooting a scene near a window in the morning, broke for lunch, then returned in the PM to finish.  Didn't notice at the time how sunny it was outside.  Long story short: The best takes are in the PM and the window's a horrible hot spot.  Anyone have any tricks for darkening the light from the window?

 

Always learning...

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 27, 2016 12:50 PM

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Q: backlit nightmare

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  • by Tom Wolsky,

    Tom Wolsky Tom Wolsky May 27, 2016 1:05 PM in response to PSchreck150
    Level 10 (118,096 points)
    Apple TV
    May 27, 2016 1:05 PM in response to PSchreck150

    CCan you post some screenshots of how bad it is.

  • by PSchreck150,

    PSchreck150 PSchreck150 May 27, 2016 1:31 PM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (4 points)
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    May 27, 2016 1:31 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

    Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 3.22.22 PM.jpg

     

    Hope this helps.

  • by Tom Wolsky,Helpful

    Tom Wolsky Tom Wolsky Jul 5, 2016 3:09 PM in response to PSchreck150
    Level 10 (118,096 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 5, 2016 3:09 PM in response to PSchreck150

    Very, very difficult. Four separate points to control, the window on the right over the older man's head, the reflection in the glass, the window on the left, and the overblown chandelier in the other room. I tried it a color mask, but there's nothing in the highlights. It just makes it muddy. The reflection and the ones on the left you might be able to make less awful, but the window on the right will always be a disaster. The only way I think is to mask out that window and replace it with an image, or something out of focus that's supposed to be out there, still bright but with form and color. Is this hand held? The image looks a little canted. In which case you'll need TrackX to properly track a mask that you're using to replace the window. You'd also have to mask the image into the reflection. Just shapes and color tones with a lot of blurring is all you need. Warm the color of the blown out chandelier, and push the color in the left side window to match the color tones of whatever you put in the right side window. It's a lot of work. If it can't be reshot, find someone who can do VFX replacements. 

  • by Karsten Schlüter,Helpful

    Karsten Schlüter Karsten Schlüter Jul 5, 2016 3:08 PM in response to PSchreck150
    Level 7 (32,668 points)
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    Jul 5, 2016 3:08 PM in response to PSchreck150

    ... what Tom says...

     

    What annoys me most is the reflection in the pic frame - the windows are bright, yeah, sun's shining outside,  I would even apply a Glow to it! Sunny day, why not.

    With a masked CC you can lower the chandalier a bit ....

     

    But the frame! For demonstration, I just covered the reflex with the other half of the pic.... terrible done, but much better...

     

    bildanderwand.jpg

     

    now I can focus on the two persons and forget the clipped windows...

     

    fingers crossed, this is a tripod shot .....

  • by PSchreck150,

    PSchreck150 PSchreck150 Jul 5, 2016 3:12 PM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Video
    Jul 5, 2016 3:12 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

    Great suggestions Tom.

     

    It was a tripod shot, so I'll capture the window from the morning and see if I can use it as the mask over the window.

  • by PSchreck150,

    PSchreck150 PSchreck150 Jul 5, 2016 3:15 PM in response to Karsten Schlüter
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Video
    Jul 5, 2016 3:15 PM in response to Karsten Schlüter

    Thanks Karsten!  I'll use the painting as its own mask, and work on the chandelier.

     

    Funny how things can get away from you in the midst of the hustle...