I'm making a movie, and I don't know if I should shoot it in color or in black and white. I heard that if it's shot in black and white less lighting is required, whereas if I shoot in color I'll need to use a lot of lighting. Plus, I'm shooting a night, so overall be easier if the film was in b&w rather than color, or does it not matter?
Also, I have the option of using a Sony HD camera, or a Sony digital 8 handy cam (model DCR-TRV140). It may sound like a dumb question, but which one?
Thanks
Sorry strong, you have heard wrong. Since video doesn't hold the blacks as well as film, you actually need more lighting and more precise lighting to get a good, solid black and white image.
And I agree with you - it is kind of a dumb question. HD or digital 8. Kind of a no brainer. But you might want to do a test. Light the night scene just as you will when you make the movie - set the two cameras side by side and shoot some footage. Then load the footage into your editing system and look at both. I think we both know which camera will be best - but it can't hurt to try.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
You shouldnt just judge whether you are filming b&w on the basis that you will need less lighting...Make your choice on which will add more to the film, or maybe even use both?
Well most of the film is set at night. I've already experimented with some lighting and I think I'll wind up with a good picture (shooting at night, in color, with my lighting set-up).
Does anyone know if the image would look better at night if it were in black and white?
Whether it looks "better" or not is up to you- the director- your VISION.
Don't determine how you will color your film based on that one way is "easier" than the other. If black & white worked for your idea according to the vision you have of your script- then use b&w.
"Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... and I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in. "
"Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... and I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in. "
I agree with stevesie and oleg. B&W is a choice that needs to be made based on the movie itself and not on the ease of lighting. Since you can't shoot black and white with video natively you are going to have to do a LOT more work to get a good black and white image. My suggestion is to take the footage you have already shot (at night, in color) and remove the color in you editing system. Look at both side by side and decide which image looks better for your project.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
