Although a plain dark background gives the best results, there is no reason why the moviemaker should not use colored paper, photographs, postcards, engravings and such as backgrounds for his titles. The important thing is that the text itself should be easy to read. The length of time required for shooting a title is determined by the time needed to read the title through slowly . This principle holds good, at least, as long as the filming speed is made equivalent to the subsequent projection speed. Daylight is certainly the simplest and most convenient light to use for shooting titles, and it has the advantage that the lettering and background are uniformly lit over the entire surface.
Natural light is subject to constant variation.
However, with the result that the diaphragm setting may have to be readjusted almost for each succeeding take. Artificial light is therefore prefered in the majority of cases. Since the operating conditions, once determined, remain constant, the diaphragm may be set and then left undisturbed. A single lamp will be sufficient for lighting small titles up to 4 inches by 5 inches at most. In this case, it should be placed above the lens, and a small reflecting screen used to help spread the light evenly over the title.