Explainers and tutorials about the film-making secret to controlled, “natural” light.
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw discusses her techniques for recreating sunlight in film (via Cooke Optics):
Wandering DP regularly breaks down scenes from commercial work which use what he calls “The Framework“, where sunlight (recreated or natural) is located on the far side of (“upstage” from) the subject:
For comparison, here’s an example with actual natural light:
Try It Yourself
At the DIY end of the scale, cinematographer Danny Gevirtz demonstrates two ways he creates a sunlit day at night:
Using more equipment and techniques, Rob Ellis walks us step-by-step through how he creates a “daylight” scene at night…
… and how he recreates golden or magic hour (also at night):
Further Viewing
Techniques for working with the real thing – natural light: