View Full Version : Using 2 totas in softboxes to light green screen


Natan Pakman
August 25th, 2009, 01:23 PM
Pardon the large amount of threads I've posted recently; I seem to have a wave of questions:

I am looking to light a green screen (around 10'x12') and I've considered using worklights, lowel Omnis, softlights, etc. It occurred to me that two totas in photoflex silverdome softboxes might be an excellent way of getting a large amount of diffused light onto the screen.

Any thoughts on whether this is a good idea or whether I'm likely to have problems? Any other ideas?

Christopher Witz
August 25th, 2009, 08:04 PM
bare bulb totas put out a pretty even light as is... just back them up until they spread even and gobo ( black card to keep them off your subject ) and you should be golden.

Or... bounce them off of 4X4's of white foam core if you feel you need them to spread more.

Natan Pakman
August 26th, 2009, 08:05 AM
Good call Chris. Could you send me a link to some of these gobos?

Christopher Witz
August 26th, 2009, 04:00 PM
I've always called them gobos.. but looks like they go by flags as well....

Matthews | 18x24" Flag | 169059 | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/32827-REG/Matthews_169059_18x24_Flag.html)

you can also just use black foam-core as well... but make sure it's not within burning distance of the lights.... cinefoil is also a great lighting tool/shaper, and cheap. My 24" wide roll is probably 20 years old.

Gareth Watkins
August 26th, 2009, 11:54 PM
My Totas came with umbrellas.... these work fine for lighting the green screen.
Regards
Gareth