It's Not the Light You Turn On But the Light You Turn Off

 On occasion, we all have epiphanies with our careers.  I had one on my first project as a Cinematographer.  I had been hired to shoot a Graduate Thesis Short at Wesleyan University in CT.  The Director and I had settled on shooting with B+W negative, using the school’s ancient Éclair standard 16mm camera.  I had a crew of Grad students who were enthusiastic but not experienced grips and electrics.  The school had a few Mole Richardson lights and a small grip package.

After driving almost 8 hours in a blinding blizzard that had shut down New York City, my 1^st AC and I arrived in the early morning before the shoot.  We were only able to catch a few hours of sleep before the 6am call time. However, lack of sleep was of no consequence as I was running on adrenaline, eager to start my first shoot.

After a quick breakfast of coffee and bagels, the Director and I block the first scene and the Actors are sent off to the glam squad.  The set was now mine – 6 eager faces turn to me awaiting my lighting instructions.  I pause for a second, and then leap into action to produce what I thought would be a Citizen Kane homage.  I’m pointing, squinting, and directing my hard working lighting crew.

Finally, I step back and look through the camera’s viewfinder.  My heart sinks, it looks terrible – double shadows, low contrast.  What had I wrought?  At that moment the AD informed me the Actors were ready and the Director wanted to get the first shot off.  In a moment of panic or inspiration, I’ll never know which, I asked my Gaffer to turn a light off.  Then another. And another.  The scene’s lighting slowly started to take shape.  After turning off four lights, I was left with a high camera side key and a 3/4 kicker.  It looked great.  I was relieved and spent the next two days shooting with a growing confidence.

My lesson, which has stood me well all of these years is a simple one.  Beautiful lighting comes from simple lighting.  And don’t be afraid to turn a light off, it might be just the touch the scene’s lighting could use to make it great.

I'd like to hear your thoughts or experiences regarding your epiphanies - treadway45@gmail.com  @456split   

If you'd like to know more about this project, or what I do
http://www.stephentreadway.com