Initially seeking tips on how to effectively use motivated camera movement, I watched this video in full, taking notes for future use of the techniques discussed. While, yes, host Ryan Connolly’s explanations were all rather helpful, it was an afterthought near the end of the video that grabbed my attention most firmly: the use of eye light.
Since we have been primarily focused on sit-down interviews of late, I was surprised that this lighting technique had not come up more in class. Connolly explains that you can add life to your subject’s eyes by placing a small, bright light near your camera and pointing it just out of the shot. I think if I were to re-film my latest interview, I would use this method to make the scene feel more intimate.
The use of eye light is, of course, not strictly limited to interviews. The most unique instance of eye light utility that I can recall comes from the 2001 film, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, in which Christmas lights are reflected in Cate Blanchett’s eyes to give her character a mystical appearance.
All of this inspires me to get creative and experiment with my lighting. Eye light may not always be necessary, but I think it can add a previously untapped element of emotion to a piece. I look forward to testing it out as needed.
Definitely a great tip. For a long time I wondered why people in my videos (and photos) sometimes looked a bit off. I remember the first time a seasoned DP talked to me about putting the “twinkle in their eyes” and it was a major epiphany for me. It’s amazing how much a single point of light in the subject’s eyes can make them look more human and engaging, and frankly, attractive. It’s actually kind of an eerie effect.
This is something that Kubrick did as well, especially in The Shining. According to the documentary Room 237, the director peppered his film with innumerable subliminal messages, heavily inspired by the work of television advertisers. It claims that one technique he borrowed was the hiding of images deep within the eyes of his characters. For example, look at this image of Danny:
http://www.collativelearning.com/PICS%20FOR%20WEBSITE/SHINING%20EXPANDED%208/danny%20shock.png
In this case, the “twinkle” acts sort of like a light at the end of a long tunnel, as if we’re peering deep into Danny’s soul. And unlike the already mentioned examples, it seems to have almost a dehumanizing effect here. We’re given a visual impression of Danny’s supernatural condition, of the “shine” within him. Like Zach said, definitely an eerie effect. And a powerful one. I’m always struck by how strongly The Shining impacts me, and I think that this subtle effect has a lot to do with it.
I feel like most the time when we’re looking at a photo, or a video, we’re directed by the subject’s eyes. For example, we can feel the emotions of the subject by just looking at his/her eyes; we can tell where’s the subject looking at and who he/she’s talking to; we can tell if someone is old or young. But in some cases, no eye light works as well, I can’t recall any examples, but it’s the opposite of this picture below. It will cover the eyes in shadow and only shows the nose and mouth to express struggle or a very sad moment.
everybody has took one of this photo