How to Light DARK Scenes Like The Batman | Cinematography Breakdown

Today we're breaking down The BATMAN. Let's break down how you can create similar looks using the gear you have!
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[@EricThayne]

What's your favorite scene from The Batman?

[@DGVFX]

For me was the car chase scene, amazing cinematography.

[@willmorrell488]

When it ends. Cinematography was great but everything else about the execution was lazy from the story to the acting with the exception of Colin Farrell who always gives a good performance.

[@VOIDSTUFF]

It’s a crime The Batman didn’t get a Best Cinematography Oscar Nomination

[@ryanthompson7276]

The sunrise shot of Batman on roof is just soo clean especially when he’s out of focus looking towards the city

[@EricThayne]

Love it!

[@jesaispasvraimentquoiecrireici]

If you don't already know, they used The Volume (a virtual set that provides real lighting on the actors faces an environment) like for The Mandalorian show for these type of shots (Look for this on youtube: Behind the Scenes of The Batman (LED Volume))

[@level_ken5231]

I've watched it 4 times and I'm always impressed with the cinematography. Two favorite scenes: First, the inciting crime scene (the mayor), specifically right before he's about to leave with Gordon. The crime scene photographer snaps some pics and the camera flash reflects on Batman's face paparazzi style, giving you a sense of his imposing but elusive figure, just before he locks eyes with the kid and the grungy theme song comes on. (I always rewind this a couple times before moving on.) Second, after he beats up the gang at the train stop, he looks up to see the bat signal and the camera is at a reverse dutch angle down on him, giving you a sense of the weight of his role and the city on his shoulders.

[@EricThayne]

So good!

[@drianpacc4361]

The reason why the penguin in the car scene has that bokeh and dirty effect, is because they used a vintage helios 44-2 lens, it's just amazing.

[@EricThayne]

So cool 🙌🙌

[@AndoBobando]

That specific shot wasn’t shot w/ the Helios. It doesn’t have the swirly bokeh.

[@KingPWNinater]

@mr.broslice4241 well yes and no. In a recent interview, Grieg told Roger Deakins that he used the Ironglass Helios for the car chase scene, which is just a helioss 44-2 lens, only rehoused with modern parts.

[@AndoBobando]

@@KingPWNinater there were many shots in that exact scene using the Helios 44-2, but the specific shot he showed in the video wasn’t shot with it.

[@KingPWNinater]

@mr.broslice4241 yeah I think I'm going to go with what the Oscar holding Cinematographer says on this one. The aperture closing down can reduce the bokeh effect, and other factors.

[@Gadderz87]

Brilliant video, exactly the kind of breakdown and information I need to learn, thanks

[@LunaJones11]

Amazing! Loved the way you explain it, I have no idea of any of this, yet you explained it in such a simple and rich way I was able to undertand it

[@SikandersDesiVlogs]

I loved what you said, most people indeed advise the purchase of gear whereas with a little bit of thinking and analysis you could indeed try to reproduce the idea, the technique behind those great frames for almost next to nothing or items you have in the house. I just subscribed!

[@mungobungo4762]

That was a fantastic no nonsense breakdown.

[@mannyromero5322]

This literally had me crying. Beautiful video.

[@phyllissong]

The key takeaway for me was that even with super dark scenes like in The Batman, it's about creating a good range of values with lights and shadows. I'm definitely going to try some of these techniques when I'm shooting, even if it's just with my phone.

[@alirazastudios4427]

Incredible analysis, gained a subscriber!!

[@DGVFX]

Great video loved the presentation!

[@WideEyedPictures]

00:49 - Also, shots like this HAVE behind the scenes information in them, hiding in plain sight. Look at the spot in his left eye (our right). While that can also be a specific eye light, it seems to be the key light because of its position in the eye in relation to the shadow of his jacket on his white collared shirt which also tells me the light is placed at eye level more than above eye level where the practical is.

[@MrMAITRAY]

Eric! this is some crazy analysis. I am so interested in learning more. I genuinely appreciate your effort man. This inspired me so much that It makes me want to learn cinematography and direction. I'm an artist myself but the love for films is immense. I'd recommend if you could decode Taxi Driver By Scorsese. I really want want learn about that film. Once again, Props to your effort. Your video quality is top notch. Plus I'm intrigued by the shadow behind you. I want to know what made you have that in your background.

[@3dchick]

That was fantastic--thank you!!!!!!

[@smackdaddy9802]

"Batman, the year's best cinematography wasn't even nominated for an Oscar," Roger Deakins (paraphrase) on The Batman snub. Love Greig Fraser, ASC.

[@tomnortham9167]

Thanks Eric

[@angelagithuku2094]

😊🎉🎉🎉Yooooooo this is soo helpful 🥂to more films 😊

[@suninmyeyesyes]

Really would have been nice to see some scopes and waveforms on these stills

[@raidance2199]

One of the best technical aspects of the movie is how they worked with lights and balanced light and darkness

[@KarthikVisuals]

thanks for this.

[@ajeetanand9181]

@eric thayne, could you please make one in-depth video on sodium vapor?

[@airspike9561]

Some content creators like they have something what make keep you watching like even if he has bad quality or he is just beginner or something you don't like or just too boring but that little thing brings you still back but don't worrie you have good guality but your voice is so god damn good that i would but your videos to backround if i want something to just play. your voice are so energy giving and makes your focus 😅😅

[@WTHelge]

More of these, please! :-)

[@kirankiranmishra]

HI THISNWAS BEAUTIFUL,DO COME OUT WITH MORE VIDEOS, THANK YOU

[@LordLightheart]

Any information about the use of ND's indoors while filming dark scenes?

[@DevAcharya]

cani ask how did u made the marking in this video using wacom please ? my mac studio wacom driver lags in PS

[@flaviopresutti]

Hi. My mother ask what program do you use to make the marks on your images? Thanks!

[@JeanAriaMouy]

2:31 "right of the bat" 😂

[@danielvalleduarte]

The Batman was so dark, I thought I was watching a podcast.

[@surimakhloga30]

I m learning cinematography.... Should I keep underexposed as much I required to shoot the night dimly lit room?? ....

[@mfonisoessien1751]

❤

[@mohamadafiqazifa3922]

I'm not sure about this but, most of the shots you explained in your video seem to be shot in the near side key. Am I correct?

[@kashinathdhatrak-pq4oy]

Which font u use? Name?

[@alldreamsmedia]

1:1 2:1 contrast ratios?

[@bennisa8102]

I dont think that we are afraid of going dark its just the noise comes when you do so. I would really like to know how to avoid that.

[@EricThayne]

The noise comes from shooting dark and then trying to increase the exposure in post or with ISO. So you just have be very confident with your exposure (using a good monitor and watching your tools) to make sure you get it right

[@KayEntertainmentTv]

You're extremely good at what you do and you're a great creative too looks good and sounds better than most in your space I know we will across one another one day I am a producer called Andy Kifani and I'll introduce myself to you eventually ;)

[@Sjaubi-qf6wd]

Thing is Hollywood does not work this hard to light scenes.

[@JoaoSilva22222]

I felt like watching John Madden.

[@spottedreptile2671]

This is a great analysis. But . . . Why do Americans esp keep calling him Greig Frasier? His name is Fraser. Not like the tv show.

[@SHDEdits]

It probably looks dark but not unexposed because the set was very well lit for the original digital capture, almost like high key lighting. A lot of fill. And they brought all that ambient light down on the internegative print. Since it would be recorded on the negative as low density, it had the texture of low light capture, which tends to be lower resolution, but without losing detail.

[@Micah6061]

I was wondering the same thing. I don't think they shot underexposed, but rather pushed it down later.

[@kwa42]

You didnt watch the full video

[@bunnyban5365]

Too dark I can’t see shit please do not do this

[@VFXforfilm]

Too bad the movie sucked.