lighting an interview at DVinfo.net

Chet Hardin · August 21st, 2002, 01:17 PM

Hey, I got a paying gig to tape an interview. Easy, one step up.
I will be using the xl-1.
But I can't drag my home depot, thrown together lighting rig into this shoot. Can anyone advise me as to a cheap (relatively) effective, lighting combo? You know, dress to impress.
Thanks.

Jeff Donald · August 21st, 2002, 02:20 PM

The easiest and least expensive will be to piece together a small kit at a camera store. You'll need an inexpensive lightstand ($20-$50), a 12" reflector ($10-$20), a 120v 500watt lamp socket ($10-$20) and a couple of 500 watt photo lamps ($5-$10). Total investment will end up around $100 per light or less. Smith Victor makes more modestly priced kits. Samigon (Korean) is another inexpensive kit maker. If it's a one time deal, you might look into what a rental would cost for a day. Lowel kits will run you hundreds of dollars as will the Photoflex Starlites.

Jeff

Paul Sedillo · August 21st, 2002, 02:31 PM

Jeff,

Have you had any experience working with the Photoflex Starlites? I was wondering if they were worth the price they commanded.

Jeff Donald · August 21st, 2002, 02:53 PM

Paul,

Do a search, you'll find a discusion on them. I like them for table top work that I do. I like the soft boxs and the look they give. I don't think they would be the best choice for your interviewsand speakers that you do. Small product shots, they're great.

Jeff

Paul Sedillo · August 21st, 2002, 06:00 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jeff Donald : Paul,

Do a search, you'll find a discusion on them. I like them for table top work that I do. I like the soft boxs and the look they give. I don't think they would be the best choice for your interviewsand speakers that you do. Small product shots, they're great.

Jeff -->>>

Jeff,

That is kind of what I thought. For the cost of the Photoflex Starlites, it just does not deliver on what I need. The Lowel Tota should fit the bill. My kit should be here on Friday, so I will have a better opinion at that time.

I am also looking at getting the Lowel DP 4 for additional lighting. This package with the Tota should be an excellent mixture of lights.

Don Donatello · August 21st, 2002, 09:34 PM

how about renting a lowel kit ? approx 25-35 day, probably the same for the weekend ...

usually there are 3 lights . comes with stands, umbrella and other little gadgets ... all in a one case

or you could rent a arri kit w/ couple of fresnel units ... maybe 40-45 day ...

Ken Tanaka · August 21st, 2002, 10:40 PM

Chet,
Depending on the location of your interview you might be able to get away with one lamp and a reflector. If you can key your subject using natural light from a nearby window you can use the reflector for fill. You can then either use a single light as a back/rim light to lift the subject from the background or as a background light. That way you might be able to schlep one of your "Home Depot" lights along. It's a 3-point system on the cheap and can be just as effective.

FWIW, my favorite setup is a Lowell Caselight as the key, a Photoflex disc for fill, a Lowell Omni as a back light and, if necessary, another Omni or a Tota for background. Since the Caselight is a flourescent panel it's much cooler (and more comfortable for the subject) than using a filament lamp for a key. I generally use CT-blue gels on the Omnis and the Tota to balance to the Caselight.

K. Forman · August 22nd, 2002, 07:45 AM

I have a Lowel ViP kit, and have been a little disapointed with the knobs and stands. The knobs are plastic, and will snap off if tightened too hard. Unfortunately, they also won't hold an umbrella too well, unless overly tightened.

As far as the stands, they are just a bit on the flimsey side, and sandbags are a must.
Keith

Chet Hardin · August 22nd, 2002, 09:38 AM

Thanks everyone for the input! right now, seeing as how I know nothing about pro lighting rigs I will probably rent.

Ken - You say you gel the omni and totas lights to match the caselight? why? Why not gel the caselight instead? Also, this is going to be a long shoot, hours...so i can't rely on sunlight. I really like the idea of a flourescent key!

Ken Tanaka · August 22nd, 2002, 10:10 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Chet Hardin : Thanks everyone for the input! right now, seeing as how I know nothing about pro lighting rigs I will probably rent.

Ken - You say you gel the omni and totas lights to match the caselight? why? Why not gel the caselight instead? Also, this is going to be a long shoot, hours...so i can't rely on sunlight. I really like the idea of a flourescent key! -->>>

Good question, Chet. Indeed, you can use a CT-Orange gel to balance the Caselight to the Omni. I've tried it and it works. But I usually find myself having to tone-down the back light (Omni) to keep it from becoming too (visually) hot so I've found it easier to gel the Omni since the gel cuts the light a bit. Plus, I often find that a slightly warm (color) back light works well on people with light complexions and lighter hair color. Since the Omni still stays relatively warm with one CT-B gel it seems to work well for me.

Don Berube · September 26th, 2002, 04:59 PM

Chet,

Check out Ross Lowell's "Matters Of Light And Depth" - very easy to understand with many image examples from an excellent Lighting Master. Very inspirational stuff!

www.lowel.com/download/lowellbook6_02.pdf

Don Parrish · October 5th, 2002, 01:54 PM

Chet,

I was wanting to ask how the interview went and what lighting choice you made. I also wanted to ask why the Home Depot set-up would not have worked. I am planning on buying some wheeled rubbermaid plastic bins to cart the lighting/equipment in. I was curious why you didn't get inventive with a system to transport the lights. I admit the tripods are a bit bulky but this also has it's advantages. Of course if you had to travel commercially almost any set-up would be a pain.
Thanks
Don

August 21st, 2002, 01:17 PM	#1
Chet Hardin Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Troy Ny Posts: 60	lighting an interview Hey, I got a paying gig to tape an interview. Easy, one step up. I will be using the xl-1. But I can't drag my home depot, thrown together lighting rig into this shoot. Can anyone advise me as to a cheap (relatively) effective, lighting combo? You know, dress to impress. Thanks.

August 21st, 2002, 02:31 PM	#3
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	Jeff, Have you had any experience working with the Photoflex Starlites? I was wondering if they were worth the price they commanded. __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas

August 21st, 2002, 06:00 PM	#5
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	<<<-- Originally posted by Jeff Donald : Paul, Do a search, you'll find a discusion on them. I like them for table top work that I do. I like the soft boxs and the look they give. I don't think they would be the best choice for your interviewsand speakers that you do. Small product shots, they're great. Jeff -->>> Jeff, That is kind of what I thought. For the cost of the Photoflex Starlites, it just does not deliver on what I need. The Lowel Tota should fit the bill. My kit should be here on Friday, so I will have a better opinion at that time. I am also looking at getting the Lowel DP 4 for additional lighting. This package with the Tota should be an excellent mixture of lights. __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas

August 21st, 2002, 10:40 PM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Chet, Depending on the location of your interview you might be able to get away with one lamp and a reflector. If you can key your subject using natural light from a nearby window you can use the reflector for fill. You can then either use a single light as a back/rim light to lift the subject from the background or as a background light. That way you might be able to schlep one of your "Home Depot" lights along. It's a 3-point system on the cheap and can be just as effective. FWIW, my favorite setup is a Lowell Caselight as the key, a Photoflex disc for fill, a Lowell Omni as a back light and, if necessary, another Omni or a Tota for background. Since the Caselight is a flourescent panel it's much cooler (and more comfortable for the subject) than using a filament lamp for a key. I generally use CT-blue gels on the Omnis and the Tota to balance to the Caselight. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 22nd, 2002, 09:38 AM	#9
Chet Hardin Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Troy Ny Posts: 60	caselight Thanks everyone for the input! right now, seeing as how I know nothing about pro lighting rigs I will probably rent. Ken - You say you gel the omni and totas lights to match the caselight? why? Why not gel the caselight instead? Also, this is going to be a long shoot, hours...so i can't rely on sunlight. I really like the idea of a flourescent key!

August 21st, 2002, 02:20 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The easiest and least expensive will be to piece together a small kit at a camera store. You'll need an inexpensive lightstand ($20-$50), a 12" reflector ($10-$20), a 120v 500watt lamp socket ($10-$20) and a couple of 500 watt photo lamps ($5-$10). Total investment will end up around $100 per light or less. Smith Victor makes more modestly priced kits. Samigon (Korean) is another inexpensive kit maker. If it's a one time deal, you might look into what a rental would cost for a day. Lowel kits will run you hundreds of dollars as will the Photoflex Starlites. Jeff

August 21st, 2002, 02:53 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Paul, Do a search, you'll find a discusion on them. I like them for table top work that I do. I like the soft boxs and the look they give. I don't think they would be the best choice for your interviewsand speakers that you do. Small product shots, they're great. Jeff

August 21st, 2002, 09:34 PM	#6
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	how about renting a lowel kit ? approx 25-35 day, probably the same for the weekend ... usually there are 3 lights . comes with stands, umbrella and other little gadgets ... all in a one case or you could rent a arri kit w/ couple of fresnel units ... maybe 40-45 day ...

August 22nd, 2002, 07:45 AM	#8
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I have a Lowel ViP kit, and have been a little disapointed with the knobs and stands. The knobs are plastic, and will snap off if tightened too hard. Unfortunately, they also won't hold an umbrella too well, unless overly tightened. As far as the stands, they are just a bit on the flimsey side, and sandbags are a must. Keith

August 22nd, 2002, 10:10 AM	#10
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Re: caselight <<<-- Originally posted by Chet Hardin : Thanks everyone for the input! right now, seeing as how I know nothing about pro lighting rigs I will probably rent. Ken - You say you gel the omni and totas lights to match the caselight? why? Why not gel the caselight instead? Also, this is going to be a long shoot, hours...so i can't rely on sunlight. I really like the idea of a flourescent key! -->>> Good question, Chet. Indeed, you can use a CT-Orange gel to balance the Caselight to the Omni. I've tried it and it works. But I usually find myself having to tone-down the back light (Omni) to keep it from becoming too (visually) hot so I've found it easier to gel the Omni since the gel cuts the light a bit. Plus, I often find that a slightly warm (color) back light works well on people with light complexions and lighter hair color. Since the Omni still stays relatively warm with one CT-B gel it seems to work well for me. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

September 26th, 2002, 04:59 PM	#11
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	Chet, Check out Ross Lowell's "Matters Of Light And Depth" - very easy to understand with many image examples from an excellent Lighting Master. Very inspirational stuff! www.lowel.com/download/lowellbook6_02.pdf __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

October 5th, 2002, 01:54 PM	#12
Don Parrish Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tavares Fla Posts: 541	Chet, I was wanting to ask how the interview went and what lighting choice you made. I also wanted to ask why the Home Depot set-up would not have worked. I am planning on buying some wheeled rubbermaid plastic bins to cart the lighting/equipment in. I was curious why you didn't get inventive with a system to transport the lights. I admit the tripods are a bit bulky but this also has it's advantages. Of course if you had to travel commercially almost any set-up would be a pain. Thanks Don