Which Lights? at DVinfo.net

Sam Bond · April 4th, 2006, 02:39 AM

I need some advice on what lights i should get. My company is going to be mainly filming models infront of various backdops. anyone have any suggestions as to what i should use?

Arri Redhead Kit
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...ri_redhead-kit

Dedo Kit
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...ight_kit-3b-24

Tim Gray · April 4th, 2006, 08:08 AM

I can't really help you with your question, but I recently got one of the dedo's in the kit you mentioned and just wanted to say it is an awesome light.

It is small, so I wouldn't want it to be my only style of light for narrative shooting, but it is VERY versatile.

Chien Huey · April 4th, 2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Bond

I need some advice on what lights i should get. My company is going to be mainly filming models infront of various backdops. anyone have any suggestions as to what i should use?

Is this for video or stills? Are you keying the models (e.g. green screen, luma key)?

Sorry to answer your question with more questions, but it's hard to say what works best without knowing your intended application.

Generally, the redheads are open-face and put out hard light. I bounce the lights off a bounce board and it softens it a bit. The Dedo lights are really nice, they put out a nice, even beam of light. Good for "touching up" your subject. But they're relatively low output, you'll need something else (like the redheads) to provide primary lighting.

Glenn Chan · April 4th, 2006, 10:30 PM

Are these models people, or products (i.e model planes)?

In either case you probably want some soft light sources, because they are very flattering on human subjects (minimizes appearance of facial defects, less shadow). They are also good for products with reflective/mirror-like surfaces- the reflector will be a large area of white instead of a very bright and intense dot you'd get from hard light sources.

There's many different kinds of soft light sources... chimera/soft box, kinoflo (or other fluorescents), bouncing light (i.e. from an open face light) off a surface, shooting light (i.e. from an open face light) through a silk or other diffusion material.

Two chimera/soft box type lights would be a good place to start (for human models). You'll need some other lights for the background, and one or two more if you want to throw some backlight or kicker onto the subjects. Some hard and soft light sources would be good for this kind of thing.

2- What's your budget?

Sam Bond · April 5th, 2006, 02:11 AM

sorry i didnt completley explain myself, i am filming models (people) infront of a white and a black backdrop, and i'm using the z1. my budget is about £1500/$3000

Patrick Gault · April 15th, 2006, 08:54 PM

With models you will want to use a large, diffused main light and a large white piece of foamcore for fill. White background will require two large, diffused lights. Black background - models will need hair light. A smaller diffused light source.

You need to determine what f-stop you want to work with and find a light strong enough to shine through the diffusion and still give you the light level you desire. White background should be slighty overexposed.

April 4th, 2006, 02:39 AM	#1
Sam Bond New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10	Which Lights? I need some advice on what lights i should get. My company is going to be mainly filming models infront of various backdops. anyone have any suggestions as to what i should use? Arri Redhead Kit http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...ri_redhead-kit Dedo Kit http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...ight_kit-3b-24

April 4th, 2006, 08:08 AM	#2
Tim Gray Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Media, PA Posts: 144	I can't really help you with your question, but I recently got one of the dedo's in the kit you mentioned and just wanted to say it is an awesome light. It is small, so I wouldn't want it to be my only style of light for narrative shooting, but it is VERY versatile.

April 4th, 2006, 10:30 PM	#4
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Are these models people, or products (i.e model planes)? In either case you probably want some soft light sources, because they are very flattering on human subjects (minimizes appearance of facial defects, less shadow). They are also good for products with reflective/mirror-like surfaces- the reflector will be a large area of white instead of a very bright and intense dot you'd get from hard light sources. There's many different kinds of soft light sources... chimera/soft box, kinoflo (or other fluorescents), bouncing light (i.e. from an open face light) off a surface, shooting light (i.e. from an open face light) through a silk or other diffusion material. Two chimera/soft box type lights would be a good place to start (for human models). You'll need some other lights for the background, and one or two more if you want to throw some backlight or kicker onto the subjects. Some hard and soft light sources would be good for this kind of thing. 2- What's your budget?

April 5th, 2006, 02:11 AM	#5
Sam Bond New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10	sorry i didnt completley explain myself, i am filming models (people) infront of a white and a black backdrop, and i'm using the z1. my budget is about £1500/$3000

April 15th, 2006, 08:54 PM	#6
Patrick Gault Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cereal City USA Posts: 286	With models you will want to use a large, diffused main light and a large white piece of foamcore for fill. White background will require two large, diffused lights. Black background - models will need hair light. A smaller diffused light source. You need to determine what f-stop you want to work with and find a light strong enough to shine through the diffusion and still give you the light level you desire. White background should be slighty overexposed.