help needed

Ismail Aslam · March 29th, 2011, 06:03 AM

hi all

i was thinking of conducting an interview and needed some advice on the lighting options. i have a limited budget (doesnt everyone), but i came across this and needed some input.

would this be suitable for lighting a single person interview?

i was also thinking of reflecting the light to get the 3 point lighting formula

regards

Brian Drysdale · March 29th, 2011, 11:38 AM

You don't always need 3 points, it's often a convention for interviews, but it's not a rule and I know camera people who don't use a back light for interviews.

I don't know what "this" is, but a reflector can be very effective fill source.

Sareesh Sudhakaran · March 29th, 2011, 08:53 PM

Just shot a one person interview - used small LED lights - Key, Fill and Backlight - very simple setup and good results. Shot on a 7D.

Oren Arieli · March 29th, 2011, 11:34 PM

Forgot to include a link, so we can't tell what you're referring to. If you're going to make a habit of shooting interviews, then a good lighting kit will be the best investment you can make. I've had some lights for over 10 years, so even if they cost $2000 (total), that means I only spent $200 per year for them. What a bargain!

My recommendation, get one softbox with an eggcrate grill (the largest you can afford), a prolight and snoot (for hair or rim light), and a 5-in-1 reflector (again, larger is better). Add in a few stands, cords, bulbs, and sandbags, and you can probably do it under $800.

Add gear as your skills improve, take a lighting workshop, read a bunch of books, practice, practice, and then practice some more. I've started posting lighting diagrams from my interviews on my site, you can see one here: Steal this setup – awesomeshot.net

I also recommend getting Jay Holben's book "A Shot in the Dark", as he demonstrates some cheap do-it-yourself lighting kits to get you started on a shoestring budget.

March 29th, 2011, 06:03 AM	#1
Ismail Aslam Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 71	help needed - lighting hi all i was thinking of conducting an interview and needed some advice on the lighting options. i have a limited budget (doesnt everyone), but i came across this and needed some input. would this be suitable for lighting a single person interview? i was also thinking of reflecting the light to get the 3 point lighting formula regards __________________ Is your life really yours...

March 29th, 2011, 11:38 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: help needed - lighting You don't always need 3 points, it's often a convention for interviews, but it's not a rule and I know camera people who don't use a back light for interviews. I don't know what "this" is, but a reflector can be very effective fill source.

March 29th, 2011, 08:53 PM	#3
Sareesh Sudhakaran Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,385	Re: help needed - lighting Just shot a one person interview - used small LED lights - Key, Fill and Backlight - very simple setup and good results. Shot on a 7D. __________________ Get the Free Comprehensive Guide to Rigging ANY Camera - one guide to rig them all - DSLRs to the Arri Alexa.

March 29th, 2011, 11:34 PM	#4
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: help needed - lighting Forgot to include a link, so we can't tell what you're referring to. If you're going to make a habit of shooting interviews, then a good lighting kit will be the best investment you can make. I've had some lights for over 10 years, so even if they cost $2000 (total), that means I only spent $200 per year for them. What a bargain! My recommendation, get one softbox with an eggcrate grill (the largest you can afford), a prolight and snoot (for hair or rim light), and a 5-in-1 reflector (again, larger is better). Add in a few stands, cords, bulbs, and sandbags, and you can probably do it under $800. Add gear as your skills improve, take a lighting workshop, read a bunch of books, practice, practice, and then practice some more. I've started posting lighting diagrams from my interviews on my site, you can see one here: Steal this setup – awesomeshot.net I also recommend getting Jay Holben's book "A Shot in the Dark", as he demonstrates some cheap do-it-yourself lighting kits to get you started on a shoestring budget.