Basic Betacam Camerawork, 3rd Edition

Controlling light

Although daylight is the simplest and most readily available form of exterior lighting it can cause many problems in control, direction and strength. Strong sunlight will cause dark shadows without detail and becomes a particular problem with faces when the sun is overhead. Deep set eyes will be in shadow and unlike a lamp, the sun continually moves during the day causing problems with continuity. The light from the sun is immensely powerful compared to the output of location luminaires employed to mitigate its effects. Daylight is cheap, usually available but difficult to control when it is in the wrong place.

Reflectors and lamps can be used to modify shadows but tungsten lamps require blue filters to correct their colour ...