Remember the first time you experienced a black light? It was mystifying seeing neon colors radiate in ways never seen before. The brilliance of ultraviolet light never fades away. Using these types of bulbs in your own photo and video projects isn’t a far-fetched idea. From clothing to wall paints to even makeup, the variety of materials available for filmmakers and photographers will open up a whole new world of creativity to film ultraviolet light.
For an avant-garde project we collaborated on with Raygun Studio, the goal was to film stunning imagery under UV light. The video would supplement content for a video wall at the opening of Samsung’s flagship store in New York City. To make this concept a reality, we considered three factors: makeup, lighting, and camera.
Will It Glow?
Both of our makeup artists, Shiree Collier and Joslyn Soliman, did an exceptional job. We prepared the make-up room with a black light so that both ladies could see how their application of the cosmetics reacted. From lipsticks to mascaras to body paints, both talent and the artists had a vibrant palette to work with. As a treat, the final result wasn’t noticeable until talent stepped on set.
Yes, There’s Enough Light
We retrofitted our Kino Flo 4Bank fixtures with 40w black light tubes. Although each tube individually has low output, when combined in a Kino housing with its bright reflector the illumination was effective to film ultraviolet light. We utilized three Kinos to light medium and close up shots while a 2K Fresnel with a Congo blue gel provided an edge light. At times, we also used the prop phone’s bright screen to provide a glow on our talent’s face.
We’re Wide Open To Film Ultraviolet Light
Working with UV lights and low output, a balance between exposure and ISO needs to be found. The ISO can’t climb to a point where noise becomes an issue. While the exposure must be set so that the makeup glows vividly. We kept our ISO at 800 and opened the shutter angle to nearly 360 degrees. By using a fast lens, we were able to capture an image that retained all its luster. Our setup allowed us to shoot at 24 and 48 fps without much issue.
House Lights Please
It’s depressing turning on the house lights after filming in the colorful environment that when those conventional lights come on the world you live in appears drab. As with any project, tearing down the set is part of the job and all that’s left are memories in the form of video clips
The ultraviolet world is left behind, but what you’ve gained is knowledge. What you learned is a technique that you can reference on future productions that film ultraviolet light. We invite you to become an authority in your craft and enrich the community by sharing your ideas, your problems, and your resolutions.
