HD Cameras In The Church (These Tips Will Make The Difference Between a Good and Bad Picture)

The Truth About HD Cameras and Lighting
There are some substantial differences between shooting on standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD), but these differences have more to do with the camera than the lighting. The lighting methods for HD cameras are much the same as for SD.

In both cases, you want to light your subject with a key, a fill, and a backlight. If you are doing good lighting for SD then the same approach will work for HD cameras.

Don’t Allow HD Camera Myths Ruin Your Shoot
It is a common myth that HD technology allows you to shoot without lights. While it is true that HD cameras can shoot in low light, the negative aesthetic effects of under lighting will only be enhanced on HD. It also a fallacy to suggest that there are specific lighting types or fixtures for HD that are different from SD lighting.

The same lighting fixtures that you use for SD shooting will work equally well for HD production. In both cases, your subject will determine the type of fixture you select and not which format you are shooting with.

Yep, HD Cameras Deliver Better Quality Pictures
It goes without saying that shooting with HD cameras yields a better quality image, including more detail in areas of shadow and highlight. Therefore the lighting designer must pay greater attention to those areas. Greater clarity also requires that you also be particularly aware of what is being lit in the background.

Use the backlight to provide separation between the subject and the background. If you are shooting your service, take care not to over light an area that will compete with your subject. Pay attention to other elements, such as poorly applied make-up, as an HD camera will only accentuate these problems.

HD Cameras Rules of The Road
All cameras, whether SD or HD, are unique. However, due to the HD's less forgiving nature it’s crucial that you always familiarize yourself with the HD camera and design the lighting for each specific project, taking into consideration the camera’s specific performance characteristics.

Remember when High Definition television first came out and how newscasters were getting lambasted by viewers for poor make-up and hair? That increased sharpness by HD cameras brings details that were previously unnoticeable - right to the forefront! That means you must be on your “A” game in terms of lighting, shooting angles and staying on top of focus.

If you know that your subject will be moving around the stage then you would light to a higher stop so you would help increase the depth of field, which then helps the camera operator stay in focus. Lighting should not be seen as an obstacle in switching to HD cameras and high definition system. Just remember the bottom line - good lighting is good lighting!