Home Movies (1943)

HOME MOVIES FOR JANUARY o Proper placement of lights is important to achieving an even, overall contrast in titles. Reflectors should be ad.usted to cast light from each side rather than directly from camera position. Succetefjul title* depend upon RECENT articles appearing in Home Movies on the subject of home movie titling have treated the phases of title composition, background selection and styles of title lettering or type. This month we take up the subject of exposure and the elements of contrast and developing as they affect the final photographic result. All the care and planning that goes into preparation of a title is quickly lost if, in the final step — photographing the title — exposure is incorrect. On the other hand, if contrast between title text and the title card or background is at a minimum, a poor title will result even with accurate exposure. And where the amateur develops his own positive film titles, he may expose carefully on a highly contrasty title, yet achieve poor results through careless developing. Let us consider first the problems of the filmer shooting titles on regular reversal film. One hurdle — that of proper development (or processing) of the film — is overcome because the laboratory takes care of this. Left for him are the problems of composition and filming. Since we treated the subject of contrast in title composition at some length in the November issue (Pg. 426), we shall • Examples of carefully made titles. Note even contrast in both title backgrounds — no "hot spots," no lighter or darker areas. Text is easily readible, result of careful focusing, even lighting, and proper exposure. 17 care /«/ EXPOSURE summarize by reminding that the most successful black and white title will result from a jet black card lettered in snow white ink. On the subject of filming the title, placement of lights is most important where title is to be photographed under artificial light. In spite of the wide beam of light emanating from the average photoflood reflector, especially at distances of from 12 to 24 inches from the title card, it is possible to light the title card unevenly with the result that "hot spots" or uneven density in the background may result. Nearly all of us have seen home made titles where the edges appeared lighter than the rest of the title, or the center or one corner appeared lighter. This was because the light from photofloods was not evenly distributed over the title card. This uneven light distribution is not visible to the naked eye and so cannot be detected and corrected before starting to photograph the title. However, W . M several amateurs have conducted enlightening tests that prove there is a right and wrong position in which to place photofloods to illuminate a title. For example, where two photofloods in reflectors are set up on either side of the camera to light a title card 10 by 14 inches, it was found that if the lights were placed 18 inches distant from title and 60 0 apart, calculating from vertical center of title, intensity of light reaching edges of title card would be twice that reaching the center. By swinging the lights out to 1200 so that the light came more from the sides, distribution of light was equalized over entire area of title card. There were no hot spots, no "lows" or "highs" — although the volume of light was reduced considerably. In other words, by placing the lights at same distance from center of title card, i. e., 18 inches, but farther away to the sides, a more even lighting is obtained at a sacrifice of light bril • Continued on Pa^c 25 "I think I'll take ijour advice about that secretary/.' VOW JONl,