How To Use The "Cove" Light For Natural Looking Cinematic Lighting

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So this is a technique you sometimes see Roger Deakins using in his work - the "cove" of lighting around your subject, allows you to light for a natural looking, graduated fall off of light on the face. The versatility of the setup allows you to tweak the power levels of each bounced light to easily adjust your contrast ratios on the subject, allowing for moodier, darker looks, or softer, brighter looks. You have a big soft light in your scene, without needing the extra room or expenses to shoot super powerful lights through huge pieces of diffusion. A very useful technique!
Camera:
Blackmagic Cinema Camera 2.5K
Lenses:
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 ART
Hoya UV/IR Cut Filter
Genus Eclipse Variable ND Filter
Metabones Nikon - BMCC Speedbooster
#filmmaking #cinematic #lighting

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this dude really knows whats hes doing, this is really cinematic, vs other youtubers suggesting to shoot in 60fps and using teal and orange luts...

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so spot on mate

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Totally agree!!

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Yep, so many charlatans on this site.

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I literally laughed out loud at this.

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Spencer Sakurai is another increadible youtuber that doesn’t offer his shitty LUTS. He is an excellent cinematographer and made actually amazing videos in the past. You should check him out.

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[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Wow thank you so much! :)

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I third this. Absolutely invaluable content. Thank you so much for creating it

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Totally agree. The best cinematic lighting video.

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true

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I was no joke thinking this morning, "I wish someone would do a tutorial of that bounce technique Roger Deakins uses", and then bam, Rob delivers.

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Haha that's awesome, well I'm glad I timed that so perfect! ;) thank you for watching! :)

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you need to delete cookies from your brain

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that should be the title of a series of videos "Bam! Rob delivers"

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I’m very impressed. It’s like you care about teaching instead of showing off.

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@@JoshBenBernales people act like making beautiful images is a secret, yet they wont sit to learn lighting... even though it is the secret

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CineBlogs haha so true!

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This is like a masterclass in cinematography taught by Tom Hardy's brother

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haha best comment here

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But free

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I was thinking it was the love child of Mark Wahlberg and Zach Braff.

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@robellis you are indeed a master. Thank you for the superb videos.

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Man I really love that you show the whole lighting process and include diagrams... this kind of knowledge is invaluable. Keep up the great work man it really means a lot to us!

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You are hands down the best lighting/cinematography resource that I've come across on KZbin. Thank you.

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The easiest and simplest type of cinematography I have seen on the Internet, thanks for this kind of videos. Low-budget filmmakers appreciate it

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much! :)

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It feels wrong to watch this for free

[@tibfox]

I needed this entire channel! Thank you for being here and all of the valuable information in your videos man. Love them!

[@chromakin]

Really appreciate the care and time you take to make these techniques accessible for everyone. Thank you!!

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I started watching ur light tutorials. Truly useful and mature approach on lighting no matter what lights are available. The theories are much easier to understand. Thank you!

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So glad I found your site, I immediately subscribed! This is the type of stuff I've been looking for! Please keep it coming with your understandable verbal breakdowns!

[@neilwebster9195]

Rob, your videos are fantastic man. As has been previously suggested they literally are a masterclass in cinematography. Thank you so much for taking the time to impart your knowledge to us all.

[@f.jacobalvaradoDOP]

Love these breakdowns Rob, keep it up! Fantastic work

[@Gam3rKillz]

Love the step by step explanations and examples, the cartoon diagrams, and pics of the actual set. Thank you so much!

[@emanuelvasilesabou9487]

Thank you, Rob, for all the work you put in to share your knowledge!

[@bryanredding]

Thanks so much for this Rob! What an amazing job. This is probably one of the best explanations of Cove Light I've come across. Thanks for showing your builds. Keep up the awesome work!

[@markmurphy5486]

These tutorials are wonderful, so many lighting tutorials fall short of actually being cinematic whereas yours really capture mood and atmosphere. Many thanks.

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Fantastic work as always, seems like your channel is getting nicely into its groove. Really enjoyable to watch. No hype just solid knowledge of your craft backed up with skill, creativity, resourcefulness and a calm, sincere delivery style. Thanks for sharing.

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Bro I went to your site, looking for your cinematic lighting course. this is some of the best i've seen this far on youtube, and you have the boldness to show 3 examples....subscribed! and yes I clicked the bell! Top notch.

[@jerohelguera]

Your lighting tutorials are amazing. Thanks for the awesome content!

[@vizualizefilmsllc6225]

just amazing bro! Cant thank you enough for sharing this quality info! so refreshing to see light set ups other than the 3 point lighting tutorials. Lighting depends on the story so much

[@anthonyjinson4839]

Amazing tutorial for this technique. I’ve seen it explained poorly before in other videos whereas this video really shows the technique in great detail with amazing final results. Subscribed!!

[@quirkypurple]

Thank you for this free, valuable content. Explained really well, to the point, with really nice pacing and rhythm. I also love the ominous ambient music. It puts me in a studious mood. This is the first video of yours I've landed on. Instant sub. Your video is a credit to lighting a set. It shows the power of thoughtful light-planning. You''re really getting beyond value for your gear with your skill.

[@daniel_caron]

Really awesome tutorials. Love your straight to the point style.

[@ajamccoy9822]

This video needs more views. An absolute gem. Well done.

[@epicwindow]

Some of the best stuff on lighting I have seen so far for a newbie like me. Keep it coming please!

[@ovidijusadomavicius8165]

MAN ! your videos are so in-depth... love them!

[@NewWave.]

Really love the style of these tutorials - learning a lot from them. Keep up the good work. Will definitely try this technique!

[@frenchfriesG]

This video looks so great. So professional, from start to end

[@IndyVisuals]

Amazing. One of the best videos i watched about lighting.

[@jwpmotionpicturestudios]

Incredible video demonstration!!! Thank you so much! Happy creating 🎬😉👍

[@pigmus]

You are the number one explaining the art of lighting. Thanks a lot for your awesome work!

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Fascinating. This is the first time I've heard of the Cove light. A very powerful and organic lighting technique.

[@MrCwam]

This is incredible quality. Brilliantly explained. You're voice over style means we're never taken away from what's important to be looking at. Well done Rob.

[@RobDymott]

very well done Rob. very well explained & what a great technique.

[@ShoaybKhattab]

Your tutorials are literally one of the best tutorials I have ever seen on youtube

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much! :)

[@AishaLewis]

One of the best tutorial I have seen! I learned so much in just 8:36 mins. I can't wait to test this on my filming lighting! Great vid 😊

This is phenomenal. So insightful and informative. Thank You, Rob. Keep it up!

[@EuCanProductions]

Incredible video Rob! Straight to the point, informative and perfect range of examples - love it, keep it up

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you! More to come! :)

[@JordanThomasmedia]

This was dope! It was cool to see how this natural look was achieved relatively cheaply. Enjoy your style of teaching. 👍🏽

[@giorgidadiani6964]

Best tutorial i have ever seen, great job, thank You.

[@visionaryentertainment1431]

THIS IS AMAZING!!!! WHAT A TUTORIAL BROTHER!

[@hourglassindependent5176]

You have done the best cove light example I’ve seen on KZbin. You have also have the best lighting I’ve seen from any KZbinr. Your lighting looks very close to Roger Deakins. Great job!

[@blackswanmotion]

Thanks Rob. This is extremely useful. Your calm and meditative voice is another big plus. Keep it up and help us all become masters of lighting.

[@wasislos]

This is some top-notch content. Thank you mister for sharing your knowledge!

[@darianrundall6618]

You tube needs a "love" button. This is so great, thank you.

[@adarshar99]

Thanks for these wonderful content Rob. Your explanations are so simple and to the point.

[@marcopareloz3579]

i really glad to find your videos, easy, clear and straight to the point, thanks my friend

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Blackmagic owes this man a sponsorship... please start a patreon please

[@stagetoscreenmedia]

This is probably the best lighting tutorial I've ever seen. I need to work with cove lighting on my next shoot, and in 10 minutes I've gone from feeling trepidatious to excited about it. Thank you so much!

[@kevb7451]

This is one of my favorite videos on lighting! Absolutely brilliant thank you!

[@SplashFireFilms]

love the calming music, the explanation is perfect

[@markrobinson8254]

I just want to comment on the background music SO Good that it does not interfere with the fine tutorial content.... low volume "There but not there" So many of these just slap pre program music without thought ! I didn't just stumble on this video I've come back many times to reacquaint myself to the lighting technique ... not run and gun but good if the budget is there

[@cameronkeighley8638]

Amazing video! First video of yours I’ve seen, Super super super informative and has earnt my sub! Keep doing what you’re doing

[@IanSnape]

Great videos Rob, not just super informative but also well thought out and delivered. Thanks

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Awesome content. Far the best I have seen about lighting on yt.

[@lukeparkour3712]

Bought your tutorial few days ago and now I really enjoy playing with Davinci! The tutorial was easy to follow. Thank you so much.

[@MyJeanf]

Hey thanks rob. This is the first time I have heard of the cove light. Really informative. Thanks dude.

[@curtisjudd]

Very nicely done, Rob. Great step-by-step examples.

[@LeonUnity]

This is absolutely wonderful mate, I really like what you've done here.

[@henkkok9437]

Wow, fantasticly clear and well presented video, thank you!

[@julian_frazer]

goddamn this is great info. real cinematography, not just gimmicks or gear-hype. deserves much more than 20k subscribers

[@markbone]

Great work Rob. I love Deakins cove light technique. He is an absolute legend.

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Such a good video! I always wondered how to create a natural look and this the best explanation by far!

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This demonstration was spot on and extremely helpful. New fan! Thank you 🙏🏽

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one of the best lighting videos i have ever seen on youtube!

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My Fav Lightning Channel now, KEEP THEM COMING BRO!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much man, much appreciated!! :)

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i have searched a lot for a good lighting tutorial. finally got one , BEST ONE .

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This video is literally that ONE video you should never forget. It’s so so good. Thanks so much for this.

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This is brilliant! Love the info and the beautiful results you can get with this great lighting technique. And you explained everything so well and made it so easy to undernstand, that we had to subscribe to your channel! Can't wait for more content! Thanks man!

[@Fathom216]

Just wanted to let you know this is by far the most informative and valuable lighting tutorial I've ever seen on KZbin, been trying to figure out how deakins does his interiors for years and the results here look absolutely perfect.

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Love this channel. Finally something non hyper technical and also.... no stupid background score:)

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Simply the best cinematography channel on youtube.

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This video is EVERYTHING - props to the model

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Rob Ellis THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO ABOUT CINEMATIC LIGHTING THAT I HAVE EVER WATCHED ON YOU TUBE THANKS

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One of the best lighting video i've seen

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Wow I really love the blackmagic cameras now, and thanks for your lighting advice!

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This is incredible, thank you. Exactly the sort of video I was looking for and wasn't sure I was going to find it.

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I just binged your channel. When I have the time I’m on it with your grading course which I’m sure is massively valuable thank you so much.

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Thanks Erik, hope some of my videos helped! :) and absolutely, thank you for the support!

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Love these new videos Rob! Keep em up

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Best light content ever i see. Thanks, and Hi from Belarus

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Excellent demonstration!! Thank you for this video.

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Thanks again Rob. I'm not even into videography but photography but most of what you're talking about here is applicable to the world of stills. Great stuff and keep up the good work.

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MAN YOU COULD BE A REALLY CRAZY LEGEND You know how to work with cheap budget and make a great work even better than others who uses a lot of money! I hope you have succes in your life!!

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Hi Rob, Really beautiful lighting there. Feeling very inspired watching this. thanks!

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You making perfect and precious videos , keep them up ! Helping really much to improve on this stage 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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Yesssss my favorite KZbinr!! Always learn so much from you. Makes my day when you upload a video. Cheers man

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Thank you so much, such kind words! :)

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This is brilliant man. Keep up the good work.

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Your videos about lighting are perfect, thank you for sharing your knowledge in such a professional manner

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ive got goooooosebumps watching this. Amazing job!

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Yes! Love this content! Straight forward, visual demonstration, very informative. Subscribed!

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Rob, just found your channel now. Wow, you have a real wealth of knowledge packed into these videos! Feeling very fortunate to have come across all this amazing lighting and production info. Thank you so much for what you have provided to those looking for more professional results.

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Thank you Gregory!! :)

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Excellent content and lighting results, and such a clear a concise presentation. Thank you so much.

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I learnt a lot from watching this. You make really high quality images and tutorials. Also, this might not sound that important, but your easy to listen too. A lot of KZbinrs can be in your face and its nice to come here to a calm and informative learning environment. Thank-you!

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Very nice tutorial Rob!!! Very inspirational!

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Hands down the best lightinig tutorials ive seen so far. Thanks man!

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Wow just stummbled on your channel today. Been binging your videos. Thanks so much for the info! Also probably going to pick up your mini course!