How to Shoot HDRI Reference on Set

A step by step capture routine for chrome and grey reference balls, including bracketing, ball placement, colour chart use and what to log for post production.

Place the ball where the subject is

The reference has to describe the light at the subject position, not at the camera. Put the ball at the same place and the same height as the actor or product.

Keep the camera still

Shoot from the plate camera position on a tripod. If the camera moves between the chrome and grey captures, the two references stop matching.

Bracket for the brightest source

Bracket until the brightest reflection on the chrome ball still holds detail. Clipped highlights cannot be recovered in post production.

Shoot the grey and the chart

Follow the chrome ball with the grey ball and the colour check chart in the same position and the same light.

Log the setup

Record the lens, the height and which setup the reference belongs to. Capture again whenever the lighting changes.