Three point lighting at DVinfo.net

Andrew Sohn · August 21st, 2005, 09:22 PM

I'm looking to purchase a set of lights for a three point lighting setup for interviews.

I'm on a tight budget, and would like to know the best deal i can get for my money.

What kind of lights should i get for the key, fill, and back lights? Also, what stands, diffusers, umbrellas, or other accessories would i need to assemble a good lighting setup at a reasonable cost?

Jean-Philippe Archibald · August 21st, 2005, 09:53 PM

Do a search on Britek lights kits and JTL. I personally use a Britek light kit and I am pretty happy with it, espescially for under 500$.

Hope this help,

Andrew Sohn · August 22nd, 2005, 12:27 AM

Jean-Philippe, how do you arange your kit when doing one person interviews?

Bruce Linden · August 23rd, 2005, 01:37 PM

Not Jean Phillippe. But I am a lighting guy from way back. Simple 3 point lighting is a Key light placed slightly to one side of the lens, a fill light off to the other side and a back light to highlight hair and shoulders. Basic ratio is that the fill and back light should be about 1/2 as bright as the Key. This doesn't mean that if you are using a 1000 watt key, the fill and back should be 500 watts. But that by distance, spread, and/or diffusion you should make it half as bright.

Bottom line is that you do what it takes to make a good looking picture. And shadows are not your enemy, they are your friend. Shadows are what make a picture look interesting, lack of shadows looks bland. Lighting director is a misnomer, they should be called shadow directors, because that is what you want to control.

August 21st, 2005, 09:22 PM	#1
Andrew Sohn Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Jersey - NYC Posts: 26	Three point lighting I'm looking to purchase a set of lights for a three point lighting setup for interviews. I'm on a tight budget, and would like to know the best deal i can get for my money. What kind of lights should i get for the key, fill, and back lights? Also, what stands, diffusers, umbrellas, or other accessories would i need to assemble a good lighting setup at a reasonable cost?

August 21st, 2005, 09:53 PM	#2
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	Do a search on Britek lights kits and JTL. I personally use a Britek light kit and I am pretty happy with it, espescially for under 500$. Hope this help, __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

August 22nd, 2005, 12:27 AM	#3
Andrew Sohn Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Jersey - NYC Posts: 26	Jean-Philippe, how do you arange your kit when doing one person interviews?

August 23rd, 2005, 01:37 PM	#4
Bruce Linden Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Port St Lucie FL Posts: 34	Not Jean Phillippe. But I am a lighting guy from way back. Simple 3 point lighting is a Key light placed slightly to one side of the lens, a fill light off to the other side and a back light to highlight hair and shoulders. Basic ratio is that the fill and back light should be about 1/2 as bright as the Key. This doesn't mean that if you are using a 1000 watt key, the fill and back should be 500 watts. But that by distance, spread, and/or diffusion you should make it half as bright. Bottom line is that you do what it takes to make a good looking picture. And shadows are not your enemy, they are your friend. Shadows are what make a picture look interesting, lack of shadows looks bland. Lighting director is a misnomer, they should be called shadow directors, because that is what you want to control.