Latest articles by Julia Swain
Making Use of Small Lights for Specificity
Advances in technology offer new options and expanded usage
Daylight Lighting With HMIs
They give the punch to balance exposure between interior and exterior
Achieving Quality With LED Arrays
Compact size and versatility enable illumination in areas difficult to access
Controlling Light Remotely
DMX lighting has become a popular solution to carry out dramatic changes in frequency, color and more
Mixing Lighting Technology
There are a variety of lights for different uses, offering different qualities, colors and shapes
Lighting Safely as We Move Back on Set
What styles and procedures can help ease on-set safety protocols?
Meeting the Challenge of Lighting for Home Broadcasts
Social distancing has required new ways to set up a shot
Rooted in Realism
Lighting Technology Invisible cinematography is actually quite advanced, and here's how I tackle it.
Lighting for Beauty
Lighting Technology Julia Swain changes up her shooting style for a Chantelle Paris production.
The Beauty of Top Light
The beauty of lighting from above is that you get a supply of ambient light, which many sets and locations naturally call for.
Space, Shape Affect Lighting Techniques
Some cinematographers and lighting technicians can get into a situation troubleshooting a setup and overthink the approach.
Lighting and the Camera—Getting It Right
One mark of a good cinematographer is someone who truly understands how to utilize both the capabilities of their camera and their lights together.
The All-Important Players in Lighting
We cannot deny how quickly lighting technology is advancing, nor how certain technologies are taking over and replacing those of the past.
Exploring the Power of Omnidirectional Lights
In general, we appreciate lights with direction.
Smaller Units Can Make a Big Difference
We all want huge, powerful lights on set, but we have to keep in mind the beauty and versatility of small units as well.
Exterior Scenes Can Present Challenges
A big misconception in our industry is that daytime exteriors are the easiest time to shoot because of the amount of available light.
Lighting the Scene From Different Directions
Getting your key light just right can get complicated when considering the blocking of the actors, the space and what units you have at your disposal.
Using Light Meters as Creative Tools
We have a lot of tools to measure exposure, but to me, the light meter is the simplest and truest.
Taking Advantage of Practicals
Something that seems a bit underestimated is the power that practicals have.
A Spectrum of Color Temperatures
Mixing color temperatures in a scene can help you create depth, visual interest and visual tension
