Cinematography Tips: Don't complicate lighting - Geoff Boyle

Introducing the first video brand in a new playlist called 'Cine School' - dedicated to giving you advice and knowledge from within the world of cinematography. Geoff Boyle explains how a complicated lighting set up is not necessarily the best.
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Production Company Credits:
www.gboyle.co.uk/
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Cooke Optics TV
www.cookeoptics.tv
Thank you to the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC). www.bscine.com/
Filmed with a Sony FS5 and Cooke Mini S4/i Lenses.
Produced by ImageNova. www.imagenova.co.uk.
Email [e-mail] for enquires or leave a comment!

[@CinematographyDatabase]

I love the paper diagrams!

[@maxxender]

I see you everywhere on YT now, HA.

I love that i found you here :-)

[@VikramVetrivel1]

Hey, CineDB, do you reckon you can recreate these lighting diagrams in one of your videos, please?

[@alex0589]

oh hey Matt

[@IAMDIMITRI]

I bet he is not used to 3D modelling his lighting set up :P

[@LaceyFilm]

Excellent. Really made me think about how I overcomplicate things myself.

[@JohnJonesRocketCity]

Yep and how I am caught in a perpetual spending loop because I think everything has to be so complicated.

[@art_means_artificial]

british cinema so rubbish ...

[@BODYBYSTRUGGLE]

don't we all brother. Overcomplicate things I do. This made so much sense

[@richalexander1138]

Holy cow, I think I shed a tear. So much truth to this, thanks Geoff and Cooke for posting this.

[@art_means_artificial]

british cinema so rubbish ...

[@aneeeesh]

Beautiful. Have a feeling that I'm gonna love this series. Simple is hard but so elegant and practical. On a side note, dump your long edits on your channel too. Hour long interviews, 2 hour workshops...do it. We're here to happily consume, learn and grow!

[@jmalmsten]

Don't remember who said it, but one cinematography quote I have tried to learn is a guy that came out to the set, was shown the lighting truck full of lights in all shapes and sizes and just smiled and said: "Ahhh, look at all the equipment I won't use!"

[@bien.mp4]

perfect

[@Andrelas11]

Sounds perfectly "artistic" until you compare it to reality. Having lots of equipment available does not make you any less great at what you do. It increases the stuff you can do and how quickly you can do it. The quote stinks of pretentiousness in my opinion. There are so many specific tools that are designed for specific reasons in ALL industries. This doesn't mean you can't do the job without them but they sure are helpful. I find people who are afraid to learn the technical aspect of filmmaking, or who perhaps would rather not learn, use artistic sayings like this to justify their lack of equipment or knowledge. Not saying this is what is happening here. If it was practical to create films without all the complicated gear, would studios still pay for it all? The big budget stuff in the end is all about making money. It doesn't matter what the director's dream is. Be creative with what you have no matter what that is and don't be ashamed to buy gear that helps you. Just be cognizant of what you need to accomplish your task and what is more important for that need.

[@Andresvideo]

I also read somewhere that they hired Vitorio Storaro to shoot a commercial and he entered the big truck of gear they gave him, took a reflector and shot the whole thing with just that XD

[@art_means_artificial]

british cinema so rubbish ...

[@AnandaGarden]

Phenomenal. I discovered CookeOpticsTV this morning and am in awe - so much practical value!

[@Cazaq]

Geoff Boyle is a treasure trove of information. Hopefully you'll get to make some more videos with him, as there doesn't seem to be much of the sort online.

[@NIKONGUY1960]

Lost count how many times I’ve seen this.

[@FREEPOURTHEMOVIE]

He is spot on. This is the answer to the problem I have had with DPs who want to use tons of lights to create what is already there naturally. There was a time because of the cameras you needed to over light a scene but with today's digital cameras that need is no longer the same. Good timing on this video coming out and I will use it as a reminder going into production.

[@kolecava]

Depends, if you light spaces you will most likely use tons of lights to create pockets of interest. When lighting faces*, grip gear is 50% of the job

[@rinusworldzm]

The brilliance in this video is immense. Oh my word. The simplicity. The elegance.

[@aceadelicproductions]

Im falling in love with these master classes! The more and more I watch, the more I feel reassured. Helps me with my low budget cinematography and directing for music videos i work on!

[@ClarkKentsRockandRollRevue]

Same here man :)

[@Jsjsjjssjs]

This youtube channel is pure gold.

[@XavierPeypoch]

Thanks for all the incredible content! This channel is unparalleled in the amount of professionals giving us incredible advice for any budget.

[@FilmshooterOH]

Geoff Boyle, what a master, and generous human being. Thanks!!!

[@maxxender]

I'm absolutely loving these mini lessons.

[@TheFitchproductions]

Once again a incredible video from Cooke, keep up the great work!

[@xxiamxx5535]

This man is simply amazing.

[@cdreyes81]

I like this guy. Keeps it simple. Such a great philosophy. I stand by it.

[@jimperezcadena]

Thanks for including this video. It's amazing how we tend to over-complicate things. Simple planning can make all the difference.

[@MyronDavismd]

I love seeing his enthusiasm and love for sharing these cinematography tips! Thank you for posting this

[@JamesCox]

What a great video with some good information. Thanks for posting this!

[@koalaofdeath2045]

Wow. This channel is a pure gold mine.

[@StrugglingDP]

that was sooo good - thank you for this!

[@tarunupadhyay3553]

Awesome video,thanks Geoff Boyle.. you guys really deserve more subscribers...

[@nisargamane]

inspiring ..

[@GoodArrowMedia]

Love this.

[@trieuhoangvu5172]

Many thanks for sharing your mind.

[@Andrelas11]

Simple is good. But simple can also mean grabbing three lights from the truck and setting them up instead of trying to figure out how to light a scene with one light. Time = money. Work with what you have but don't be afraid to get more so you have more options in the future. Creating a film is an infinitely complex process and it stands to reason that the aspects of creating one are complex themselves. No one walks in and thinks to themselves, "Ok, how can I over-complicate this." I feel this interview isn't about keeping things simple, but rather about the many many ways you can accomplish your goal in lighting a scene. It would be pretty ignorant if someone handed you an Arri kit and you told them to keep it because you have some work lights from Home Depot that will work just fine. This is about encouraging young filmmakers to be creative until they can hire or buy the gear they need to do it faster and easier.

[@BreakyourboundariesTv]

This was awesome. Simplicity is beautiful.

[@TribalArtsFilms]

"Guys give me something Difficult...Next" lol!

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

Wow this really helped me more than any other vid on this channel. Really important information to be learned here

[@CaptainSpork7]

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS!

[@tatedominguez]

Terrific!

[@ajmedia1274]

Excellent thank you

[@sunlightfilms5222]

love it!!!!

[@blackboom76]

woaw ! So inspiring thank you !

[@sutho73]

Wow awesome 😮

[@judichristopher4604]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO...

[@TiborCsuprik]

AWESOME

[@christopherthorkon3997]

This is astonishing.

[@PrettyLady7282]

wow! awesome clip. cinematography database brought me here. liked / i will share this to my fb page. thanks

[@bluefilmsltd]

I needed this.

[@gsherlock]

One of the first jobs I did Geoff was the DOP.

[@ImaginaryShadows1]

Awesome video

[@mrsnack3118]

That interview was simply awesome. Could watch 1h more :D

[@Miika_Ullakko]

Inspirational fellow

[@mikeaydin4024]

words of wisdom from a master of his art!😎👍

[@HeadBangerExtreme]

so motivating

[@JonathanDavisKookaburra]

This is mastery.

[@lightpointfilms3798]

I need to learn this.

[@guillermocastellanos1967]

looooove it!

[@theuktoday4233]

I think you have just done more for my lighting than anyone else in only 4:38 seconds ~thankyou

[@whothetechknows]

Mind blown

[@danilomc9124]

Amazing 😉

[@albertcurielx]

wow wow wow wow my jaw dropped. Im struggling to get my head around the simplicity. His experience makes it look too simple and really motivates us to not be overwhelmed and realize things are not always as difficult as they look. Hollywood 101 lol

[@LowLightVideos]

Rocket Science is Rocket Science, whether you're a Rocket Scientist or not. Other things are what they are also, a few things more difficult and many easier. Experts not only make it look easy, for them it simply is. Years to learn, moments to do, unless you're Filming Pluto (and not working for a Mickey Mouse Organization). The _worst_ are these 'No Film Schools' (implying no training from an Expert). Today over 1/2 the World owns a Video Camera, when I started some people had trouble threading the Tape (the first few times) and the chance of an individual owning a Video Camera (or Computer) was most unlikely. I won't give up a good Movie for KZbin, we must wonder if that day too will come. Thanks for uploading these Talks and Tips - showing your Gear in action (even BTS) is OK too. Thanks for this, Rob

[@ZebaFilms]

This guy is Great.

[@richardpurves]

RIP Geoff. You will be missed mate.

[@kielraverfamilystyle]

He's a raving madman! Thanks, I learned something and now I need to go create something! How would you recommend setting up lighting for someone breathing fire? My sister sews her own clothes and spits fire so it would be cool to light her clothes up a little in between BRIGHT bursts :) Many thanks!

[@vargheesejoseph6729]

Now tats a masterclass

[@VoodooXT]

RIP Geoff :(

[@DirectorHMAN]

I heard this too, is it true!? Just happen to be watching his vids again and stumbled across the news

[@VoodooXT]

@@DirectorHMAN Yes, it's true. His cancer came back and there was nothing left they could do.

[@judichristopher4604]

K.I.S.S. "KEEP IT SIMPLE SISTER... I love this man... I love this video...

[@LukeAyers]

This guy's an epping legend!

[@lucasbrothers9667]

thankyouuuuuuuuuu

[@RiverFunsies]

subbed

[@nicolasramos7084]

Excuse me, is there a website or forum that's recommended for learning this kind of lighting?

[@halfgraincinematography]

Love the channel! There's only one quirk: Almost all of the interviews, in which they talk about how to make scenes look pleasing to the eye, aren't shot pleasing to the eye. Maybe it's supposed to fire up our inspiration to go out and do better? :)

[@mozinoz_digital]

Simplicity is key Fantastic to hear coming from a pro! A question please, the blacks to thin the face, is there a specific texture, density and distance from light source/ camera? Also I’ve learnt there is more softness to the skin tones when the diffuser is not hard against the light source, is there a golden rule (s) for what you do or is it subjective? Ps my uni doesn’t teach lighting at all, but have lights so Thx for the link to www.cinematography.net/ 🤠👍

[@ScribblebytesWorldwide]

😂😂 Awesome! He reminds me of one of my professors!

[@ZebaFilms]

Hi. Can someone please breakdown what he mean by "heat haze from light bulb" to create a soft skin tone? Thanjs

[@Btouhy1]

Those bulbs are very hot so. the camera picks up the heat... . Heat haze is caused by a temperature difference between layers of air and the effect of the different densities on refraction of light. So, for example the surface of a ramp/runway heats the air directly above it, and this causes heat haze as it mixes with the cooler air higher up.

[@jonathanespolin]

Great and valuable info. But are they all just about 6 minutes long or can I pay and watch each of these for hours??

[@disturbedfan42]

New to cinematography and lighting here, what is poly abbreviating?

[@danwolff7064]

Polystyrene (styrofoam). Used to bounce light.

[@wjuice2020]

I need to take his class.

[@zyogaming4497]

I agree less is more, but light loses intensity with every bounce and travel distance, so there are actual limits to what you can do with it. When I started with product videography, I used a lot of poly bounce. But there are many occasions where I need to light an edge or even two at almost maximum exposure. Impossible with bouncing. But then again I might be nitpicking. I just see too many half-assed lighting jobs, because it was „good enough“. And yeah, ring lights are cheap, but it is a very specific look. Natural light is free by the way. But a cinematographer needs to make artistic choices.

[@flu-fiorde4324]

What are those "sheets of poly" in the video? They looked like very thick plastic.

[@epirusfilms]

Seems so simple, but so hard to pull off sometimes

[@ngonzale3]

The teacher anyone wishes they had. I certainly do.

[@AlejandroGuimoye]

Will any type of poly do? Any recommendations?

[@AlejandroGuimoye]

Awesome thank you Geoff!

[@sreehari7275]

♥️

[@andrestiankardoes8103]

What is poly?

[@kipling1957]

What is poly? White polythene?

[@sol20006]

I FOREVER overcomplicate lighting. It wasn't until I started shooting weddings and using what was available did I realise that I didn't need to break my neck to make something look great.

[@WideOpenChange]

If you only had ONE light for 2019 music videos what would it be?

[@corneliusdobeneck4081]

"Just put the light here, get some stuff there, have some more over there then put some more stuff some place else and done!" I don't know if that is "simple" but it sure is as well good as cost efficient.

[@jamalfaris6192]

that's because yong filmmakers take care of thier projects in the spiritual way, following the inspiration and forget that filmmaking is also just a business and u have to make things looks beautiful with less cost and time

[@lucycat7585]

I use the sun only. Total old school.

[@roehaus1]

By the term "trace frame", does he mean scrim?

[@havardhelle4815]

It is an aluminium frame usually 4, 3 or 2 foot with 10mm pin for diffusion or gels.

[@albertoalbo4723]

That's great! I just don't understand where he has placed the camera in the first example, the one with the girl...

[@Dhost100]

The the first polyester drawn is on top of the camera

[@albertoalbo4723]

thank you!

[@electroswine]

Then the red head is hung from the ceiling and pointing back directly over the camera to hit this poly? Or am I missing something?

[@smackdaddy9802]

It's Stephen Fry's brother!

[@janprochazka7477]

same like music...i like

[@GajoRomario]

correct the title, please.. Cinematography Tips: Don't complicate lighting, with the master Geoff Boyle

[@valninethousand4947]

A Cinematographer: "Great look! How'd you get that diffusion?" Boyle: "It's the heat from the lamps you fking dope."

[@gameboytech5064]

I cant understand what is heat haze?

[@litehour]

@@gameboytech5064 haze that forms from heat

[@gameboytech5064]

@@litehour You mean Heat Distortion?

[@ingolfurarnar697]

Why the hell is this video so badly lit?

[@blackilluzionz]

I wish cine sensors that can handle no fill light would come to the stills world. I hate being forced to use flat light at wedding receptions.

[@jonnynoakes9070]

Does anyone else hear david brent in this guy 😂 "Easy, NEXT!?

[@BoyBlessing]

Can anyone link me to the red head light he's talking about?

[@seangentry2943]

A redhead is an open-faced 1000w tungsten light. Try searching for a Lowel DP Light as one example that can be found used for cheap

[@mikepedersen1650]

Simple or not always bring all the lights and hope to use one, because the other way around is a place you dont want to be ;)

[@dandreballard1695]

How do you hold up curtains?

[@Bhatt_Hole]

Magic string, made from the hair of woodland fairies/elfs.

[@brettthemonster]

Did someone in that example shot actually drop an ice cube in wine? Ha.

[@papademproduction]

what is the use of poly?

[@DavidChristopherPitt]

bouncing the light, making the source bigger therefore softer.

[@papademproduction]

do you know where i can buy it?

[@DavidChristopherPitt]

Go to home depot and buy White Insulation Board. You can also use white foam cards from walmart.

[@papademproduction]

Thank you!