Looking to light a car interior in daylight without breaking the bank? It’s a tricky task, but we’ve got a few techniques up our sleeves. First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: the car itself is going to block direct overhead lighting, making it difficult to get the perfect shot. But fear not, we’ve got a budget-friendly solution inspired by the great cinematographer Darius Khaondji.
Our trick involves filling the car with ambient bounce using a reflective sheet from Westcott’s Scrim Jim kit. Simply place the sheet on the passenger seat in direct view of the sunlight, and voila! Your car will be illuminated with a soft light that’s not at all distracting. Be sure to watch out for crinkles in the sheet, as they may cast unwanted bounce streaks within the vehicle.
If you’re filming with two actors or want an entirely soft light, you could also place a diffusion sheet across the windscreen. Roger Deakins even suggests using an off-white cloth like a bed sheet for this purpose.
Check out our video below to see the final result of our low-budget lighting technique. And if you’re hungry for more lighting tips, be sure to check out our list of recommended resources.
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