Julia Swain

Freedom of movement and proper exposure go hand in hand

Advances in technology offer new options and expanded usage

They give the punch to balance exposure between interior and exterior

Compact size and versatility enable illumination in areas difficult to access

DMX lighting has become a popular solution to carry out dramatic changes in frequency, color and more

Some go-to techniques for interior lighting

Social distancing has required new ways to set up a shot

Lighting Technology Invisible cinematography is actually quite advanced, and here's how I tackle it.

Lighting Technology Julia Swain changes up her shooting style for a Chantelle Paris production.

The beauty of lighting from above is that you get a supply of ambient light, which many sets and locations naturally call for.

Some cinematographers and lighting technicians can get into a situation troubleshooting a setup and overthink the approach.

One mark of a good cinematographer is someone who truly understands how to utilize both the capabilities of their camera and their lights together.

We cannot deny how quickly lighting technology is advancing, nor how certain technologies are taking over and replacing those of the past.

In general, we appreciate lights with direction.

Presenting talent in the most flattering light.

We all want huge, powerful lights on set, but we have to keep in mind the beauty and versatility of small units as well.

A big misconception in our industry is that daytime exteriors are the easiest time to shoot because of the amount of available light.

Getting your key light just right can get complicated when considering the blocking of the actors, the space and what units you have at your disposal.

We have a lot of tools to measure exposure, but to me, the light meter is the simplest and truest.

Something that seems a bit underestimated is the power that practicals have.

Lighting Technology To create a consistent look, it's all about the tools.

Mixing color temperatures in a scene can help you create depth, visual interest and visual tension

As most of us are experiencing new lighting technology, physical gels are slowly becoming obsolete with new LEDs.