Empire of Light – Practical Bare Bulb

[Ilambb_]

Hi Roger,

Yesterday I watched Empire of Light and I absolutely loved your work. I would describe it as harmonious and subtle.

I wanted to ask you about this specific shot. How did you manage to put a bare bulb in the middle of the frame without flaring the lens? And also, what type of bulb is it? The double bulb technique you used in 1917 wouldn’t be possible here, so that’s why I’m interested in your approach this time.

Thank you,

Inaki Lambrechts

Topic

[Dmitriy.Nedria]

Hi, Inaki

 

I’m not a sir Roger. But from my experience, I could say another bulb is hidden behind that table lamp to reduce contrast. You can use different techniques to minimize the flair: from masking tape to dulling spray and black spray paint. Bare bulb and frosted bulb also works differently.

 

[M Ryan]

Master Prime lenses help too 🙂

[Stefan Vrachev]

I believe these were the Signature Primes since this is Alexa LF – but still they are close to the Master Primes in terms of dealing with flares and artifacts

[M Ryan]

Yes of course! Thanks Stefan 🙂 👍

[Ilambb_]

Thank you so much for the responses Stefan and Ryan!

I’m going to try those techniques in my next project.

[Roger Deakins]

There was just the one bulb and no other light. There was a serious flare but I placed a small square of white tape in the middle of the bulb facing camera and that dealt with the flare. The source was so hot that the tape pretty much disappeared and I took out the rest in the DI.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by Roger Deakins.

[Stip]

“There was a serious flare but I placed a small square of white tape in the middle of the bulb facing camera and that dealt with the flare.”

 

Love it!

[M Ryan]

♥♥

[JasonK]

This is such a good example of masterful cinematography. Less is more … way more often than less is less… a small fix to make the perfect light.

[Author]

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