The Power of Back Light for Cinematic Storytelling

[@drewvans9442]

This is one of those times where I truly find myself saying “I can’t believe this is free”. Incredible work, Rob. Thank you!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Very happy you found it so useful and I appreciate your kind words - thank you!!

[@DjCaldwelI]

I find myself saying that every single video that Rob releases!

[@muhtada_agad]

My journey in filmmaking has changed for the better because of you

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I am beyond happy to hear that - thank you for your kind words!

[@muhtada_agad]

@@RobEllisCinematographer ❤️🩶

[@HUGUESFILMS5-m5e]

people love my work today just because I learned it from you Rob. and iam still learning and will be there to learn. Than You!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

That is a huge compliment - thank you so much!! I hope you can continue to find my videos useful! :)

[@WhySteve]

Watching this I was thinking about how clearly I can see the differences of light now but when I started, I tried so hard, but really couldn't "see" light. If that makes sense. And it makes me realize, your examples isolating the edges of the lights (0:44), is not only a great informative example, but it's also a direct and CLEAR demonstration of EXACTLY what those types of lighting do. Great job like always!!!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much Steve! Absolutely, makes perfect sense! I’m glad you’ve mentioned that section, as I shot and laid it out in that fashion for that very reason, in the hope that it makes it a bit easier to reference and visualise! Hope you continue to enjoy the series! :)

[@WhySteve]

Well it worked perfectly, job well done!

[@ImNotAFilmmaker]

Another excellent video. I really appreciate how you break down the "why" in addition to the "how". I've been really learning how to "see" light from these videos.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I feel like the "whys" in this category can often be glossed over - and as someone who always needs to know the whys to be able to do, well, a lot of things (I'm very likely on the spectrum!) I'm making what I'd want to see, so it's always a blessing to know how these videos are helping others. I appreciate it! :)

[@DanielKouba]

We’re so lucky to have these videos

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I appreciate it Daniel - I’m lucky to be able to do this for others whilst learning things myself! I hope you can continue to find my videos helpful in some way! :)

[@ruizchen181]

Sincerely thank you for having Rob teach me about Cinematic lighting every week. Can’t believe I’m watching such an excellent instructional video right now . You really make me continue to grow in this area . Infinitely useful in life and career .

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I appreciate the kind words, it’s always amazing to hear my videos are helping so much - thank you so much!! 😊

[@filmbyakiljoefield]

I love your approach and execution Rob, very direct and straightforward, keep up the amazing work.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks for the kind words Akil, happy to hear you're enjoying the videos!

[@yourelegantwaifu]

Im learning film major as of now and in my 4th semester, however I'm learning more from Rob instead of my university. Can't believe this information is shared for free in youtube, thank you so much.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Very happy to help and I hope your 4th semester goes well! Thank you! ☺️

[@MarioRojo.]

Watching your videos makes me feel like when men discovered how to make fire! Thank you!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha thank you so much Mario!

[@olaia3433]

Rob finding you on KZbin tonight has been a miracle. I hope that someday I have a budget to make you a LIGHTING guy to create stories..

[@brainmove]

Man your vids always inspire me to shoot. I often look forward to colour grading and editing etc. but somehow always (initially) dread shooting. After watching one of your vids though, it never fails to get me stoked to set up some lights and get into the shooting process. Thanks for the great content.

[@riskybiscutz]

Absolutely amazing Rob! I can’t thank you enough for all the incredible tools you have provided us over the years!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Just happy I can continue to help out in some way - and I’ve massively appreciated your kind words over time, so thank you!! :)

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Another fantastic lighting video. I went ahead and picked up your "Recreating Daylight" course. Can't wait to start it. Thanks for your hard work in these videos as well.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Happy you enjoyed it and thank you for your support! I hope you find the course just as useful - I appreciate it massively!! :)

[@kristos5548]

Your videos are so good for learning and understanding light , they help me a lot. Thanks for your work !

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Always happy to hear this - I appreciate it! Hope you can continue to enjoy my videos, thank you! :)

[@slurp3194]

Your videos are legendary. More people need to see this. Your videos are more helpful then any college degree

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much, I’m very happy to hear it!

[@ForlornCreature]

man idk how you're gonna get through the whole alphabet, seems like an insane amount of work

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

It’s not so bad - 36 videos (some of which I’m splitting into parts for KZbin) - which actually gives me a direction and set goal for what I’m making for KZbin, which I’ve never had!

[@ForlornCreature]

@@RobEllisCinematographer I’ll be here for all of it, love your work

[@ErnestoSosa]

Another Rob Ellis video to get me bricked up

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I didn’t realise I’d mistakenly uploaded to a different kind of tube site! 🤣

[@szabikolllar]

Your videos are always filled with extreme values and quality. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Super happy you're finding them useful - thank you for watching! :)

[@brown2840]

Your content just get's better and better. You are a master at your craft!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much, I massively appreciate it! And I’m very happy you’re enjoying my videos!

[@geirmolden]

Thank you so much Rob for your videos. They are very inspirational and educational. :)

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you Geir, I appreciate it - glad you're enjoying them! :)

[@ministerioabrazamejesus]

Amazing!!! Love your work, it would be awesome if u could do a video on camera settings to achieve this cinematic look specialy iso for this kind of dark scenes.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4eqqWCCeNuGfKcsi=NM3C6oK7Seo2QRhc

[@HalloFilmz]

With every your video you giving me a hope.. Thank you

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Super happy to hear that - I hope you can continue to find my videos and this series helpful!! :)

[@ArchitectIpe]

I learned a lot on this channel for free. Thank you for sharing this!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Happy to hear you're learning a lot - thank you so much!

[@FenzirL]

Thank you so much Rob! Your content makes me fall in love with filmmaking even more! 🙌🏻

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Amazing to hear it! Thank you so much! 😊

[@ComptonHarry]

wow amazing how you simplified that and create some so brilliant. thanks rob

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I hope you found it useful in some way! Thank you so much! :)

[@ComptonHarry]

@@RobEllisCinematographer o definitely did and it has inspired me to try it out for photography

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

@@ComptonHarry super happy to hear that!

[@Bo_Hazem]

Wow, man, just wow! What a wonderful video! You are a natural actor as well.😜Keep them coming!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you Bo, glad you’re enjoying the series!! I’m just doing my usual frowning haha!

[@Bo_Hazem]

@@RobEllisCinematographer That's why "You are a natural actor." So happy to have followed you through this well "lit" journey.😆

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

@@Bo_Hazem haha I massively appreciate it! :) I hope you can continue to find my videos enlightening going forward!!

[@khalilzrd]

thank you for this amazing video again I can’t believe you are still doing this totally for free

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Not totally free - this series is sponsored by Nanlite, which means it will also be over on their channels at some point too! I’m very happy you’re enjoying the series!!

[@Keepitcity]

I thoroughly enjoy every one of these🔥

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Happy to hear it! Hope you continue to enjoy the series :)

[@mrwesleyhsk]

rob u rob our hearts with sharing lighting Technic always❤

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha thank you so much, I appreciate it! Hope you can continue to enjoy these videos ❤️

[@kahanisaaz]

Waiting (impatently) for part 2.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Not long now! :) there is a new release in this series every 2 weeks! (Unless I get behind!)

[@thedxrrkside]

This is gold, thanks a lot Rob

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much, I hope you found it useful in some way! :)

[@ThatSalim]

Thank you for sharing these here, I really appreciate, God know I can’t afford the course but we’ll make do with what we get 💪🏾

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you for watching, happy you’re enjoying my work - the KZbin videos will keep on going and they will always be free! :)

[@redbeardfilmsaus]

Amazing video as per usual! Thanks for all the incredible content. Keep it coming 😃

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks so much! I will do! :)

[@sebastianjackowski8688]

Just discovered your channel, thanks mate for all the knowledge youre sharing!

[@The_Daliban]

Whohoooooo they’re back!🙏🏻

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Wooo! I hope you enjoyed this one! :)

[@The_Daliban]

@@RobEllisCinematographer dude i honestly enjoy each and everyone of them🙏🏻👌🏻💪🏻👍🏻🎉🤗

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

@@The_Daliban I hugely appreciate it!! :)

[@MsQwerasdf1234]

Thx for doing all these!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you for watching them! :)

[@johnstewart3391]

As Always an awesome video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Happy you enjoyed it - thank you so much!

[@alonsoguttierrez4455]

Love this episode ❤ lighting is everything in a scene

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it! ❤️

[@SteveBrookfieldmusic]

Fabulous video!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Glad you enjoyed it Steve! :)

[@artisticbehaviormn]

I see your stuff all the time. It just dawned on me that I never subscribed smh! I fixed that! Shame on me! Good video!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha it’s all good, I do this all the time! 🤣 thank you so much!! :)

[@TheBrechbuehler]

2:10 nice, it looks like the hawaiian statue is holding the light 😀!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha didn’t notice this when I shot it but now I can’t unsee it! I love it 🤣

[@walterrivasplata3002]

Great video! , this is art

[@guillermomultimedia3507]

All your videos are excelent

[@Nidakhan.mbilal]

Love this 😮❤

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Glad to hear it! ❤️ thank you!

[@kellepangeri]

Wow thank you for this Wonderfull Video 😮

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I hope you enjoyed it! :)

[@ManojSarlaGupta]

It's very helpful Sir Thank You Dear Sir 🙏

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Happy you found it helpful, thank you so much!!

[@Jadesfishing]

This was dope thanks dude!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Glad you enjoyed it - thank you! :)

[@vividmotion66]

Thanks for sharing

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@snehit]

Awesome video as usual.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Happy you enjoyed it - I hope it was helpful in some way! :)

[@baxslatton]

Another solid video!

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Always appreciate it - thank you so much!

[@foksfinest6541]

hello sensei :D what do you think in generally about the zhiyun molus x100?

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Hello!! I have no idea - I’ve not used it!

[@foksfinest6541]

@@RobEllisCinematographer thanks anyway 😬

[@aleksivahapassiweddings]

11/10 video🙌🙌

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed it/found it useful! :)

[@sebazanm]

uhhh this tempo way better than lastweek`s wel done rob

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thanks Sebastian, happy to hear it! I think it always comes down to the topic and what needs to be explained - I found this one was a little easier to write a bit snappier!

[@panzeparod4551]

Hey Rob Would you answer this question for me please … Do you always expose the face properly, i mean 60-70 IRE ? Sometimes, when I’m shooting, it feels like it is too bright and not respect the luminosity of the scene. (Exemple dark restaurant) Im bit confused with this information. Thx for ur work.

[@panzeparod4551]

It could be very interesting to see the false color in your next videos

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

It depends on the shot - in this video for example, I exposed much darker on the face in both scenarios. Most of the time I do things by eye initially, then use false color to check if I’m losing any detail anywhere!

[@panzeparod4551]

@@RobEllisCinematographer thank u very much !

[@harigobindpachat]

Another dope ❤

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Thank you so much! ❤️ Hope you found it helpful in some way!

[@VasariFilms]

What Iso and /T stop did you use Rob? Love the video! Big fan

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

ISO 100 for the first setup to expose for cleaner shadows - and I can't remember for the second shot! I'd imagine T stop was around f/2.8 - 4 in both :)

[@VasariFilms]

thanks for the reply!@@RobEllisCinematographer

[@zimon9413]

Do you use filter in your videos? like black mist filter or other filters.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I do not, but I sometimes add a bit of bloom in post with Dehancer :)

[@Andrii4312]

Played a bit with backlight, wanted to create a contrast, shadow image, but one damn thing is difficult, exposure in Slog3, 20 videos about exposing it but still image look shitty and too noisy😢

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

I've never shot with a Sony camera, but I believe the Cine EI mode should help you there - which (I think) can "underexpose" the image on camera whilst still shooting at base ISO - forcing you to use more light (or exposing to the right) - which means cleaner shadows. There's a few videos on KZbin describing the process!

[@GalZiv]

the adding rim light to the sun gives the charcter to be a little more friendly - still scary charcter but friendly maybe vs without he looks only scarey.

[@flochfitness]

💡

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

💡💡💡!

[@halsinden]

spoiler alert: rob's character survives the scene.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Haha thank goodness!!

[@eliaslimapro]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@cmh6690]

Vous pourriez pas faire un peu plus sombre, s'il vous plait ?

[@asmithhansda]

I shared this with my friend and now he wants to marry you😅

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Nanlite can light the ceremony

[@mrshaheedmalik]

Rob you need to chill.

[@RobEllisCinematographer]

Never! I smile slightly in Part 2 if you can believe it haha