Various lighting questions & answers from 2004

Marco Leavitt · June 18th, 2004, 12:25 PM

Here's a press release about a collaboration between RPI and Evident Technologies to develop LED technology that incorporates quantum dot nanomaterials. If successful, the technology will feature "tunable" color properties.

http://tinyurl.com/3fr5l

Allen Brodsky · June 21st, 2004, 07:14 AM

For those who use the Sony HVL-20DW2 10/20Watt video light, what do you use for a case or wrap for this light? I want something to use to avoid scratches while transporting in my kit bag.
I generally use socks to protect small items like this.
Great on-camera light, by the way, and an excellent value.

Nawaf Alali · June 26th, 2004, 05:30 AM

I know there isnt a certain answer for this question, but do you guys have general tips for lighting a music video clip?

I noticed that alot of video clips these days use Ring Flash/Light (you can see the reflection in the singer's glasses). I'd like some tips on that (Brands.. Best way to use them.. etc).

I've been watching "Behind the scenes" of the clips, and it's helping alot. But I also wanna hear your thoughts about this issue.

Ken Tanaka · June 26th, 2004, 10:13 AM

I believe that the "ring" light is a Kino Flo Kamio light. I think they are sold in a couple of sizes and can be powered from a 12v source. They are not cheap but are often rentable. Check Kino's site.

Jacques Mersereau · June 28th, 2004, 07:40 AM

Lighting for music videos depends on many things. If it's a band, you
usually need some kind of stage set/location to capture the band's performance.
How you light it depends on the music, the location, the image you
are trying to get across, etc.

A single artist video can take you all over the place to many locations and
settings. Each of those has to be lighted as if it were a movie set.
This can take from minutes to hours to days for EACH setup and/or camera angle.
The lighting design can be anything from a single light for dramatic effect to
dozens (or hundreds) of instruments for grandeur. The main thing here
is to make the star look as good as possible. People with big noses or poor skin
are many times lighted with what's known as 'beauty lighting'.
That type of lighting is flat, soft, head on so it doesn't cast shadows
and a bit over exposed. Beauty lightng makes the nose disappear into the face,
the skin smoother and the eyes pop.

The circular light you've seen in the eyes of many solo artists (usually women)
like Ken T. said are Kine flo, though that is usually not the only
light used. Normally there will be an additional softbox(es), back light and
background lights as a single front light isn't the best look although a recent
Shania Twain video features a guy with a single on camera light circling
her. Of course with her looks you could also dress her in rags and she'd
still look awesome.

Stephen van Vuuren · June 28th, 2004, 10:56 PM

I'm eyeing this kit for it small size. I like extremely low key, naturalistic lighting for narrative.

http://www.lowel.com/kits/l-lightMid-L.html

It state E26 base bulbs will fit, so I'm wondering if I can use flourescents for cool temps. Anyone use this kit?

Jack Barker · July 4th, 2004, 10:43 PM

I'm looking for the right case for 4 fresnel heads, (2) 650W - 10"w x 7.5"h x 8"d and (2) 300W - 8.5"w x 7"h x 7"d. These dims are looking from the front and include the focus arms, built-in scrim holder, etc. I've seen a couple of decent Cordura nylon soft cases that would hold them and some scrims, but I'm worried about having to replace a broken fresnel lens if the case should ever get a good knock.

I just want a case for the heads, cables and a few accessories - the stands have their own case.

Am I worrying needlessly, or do you guys use hard cases for your heads? I've seen Walter Graf's all-in-one wonder, but that doesn't make me feel any more confident.

Patrick Gault · July 4th, 2004, 10:59 PM

If your worried, go with a hard shell case. It may be worth the peace of mind. I use a Pelican PCS104 . Its similar to what Walter Graff uses, only smaller. The 104 is well padded and seems very durable so far. The Pelican Hard Cases are much cheaper. I bought my 104 used on eBay and got a great deal.

Adam Lawrence · July 15th, 2004, 01:39 PM

hello all,

I will be shooting some invterviews next week and they will be interior, most likely bar or nightclub enviroments (so fairly dark atmosphere)

Ive done many using 3-point based techniques and needless to say thats fairly boring, especially for the type of interviews what i will be doing. I want these to be more mood-like and theatrical than your average "talking-head" production.

Is there any literature online or published that anyone can reccomend? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advanced.

John Locke · July 16th, 2004, 10:31 PM

Okay, old-timers... here's a question for you. I was watching a "making of" show on "The Dirty Dozen" today and they showed several guys holding up what looked to be 10 to 15 foot high bamboo poles, and at the top end of them were what looked to be emergency flares...but probably not due to the short burn time of flares. They used it during the filming of the final Nazi Chateau scene--at night.

What are those things? And were they primarily for lighting or smoke?

Rick Bravo · July 19th, 2004, 09:26 PM

The smoke from burning flares is highly toxic so you would not want your actors and crew working in it.

They are primarily for lighting. There are various places that this technique is used at the end of the movie.

First, when Bravos blows up the convoy, Posey fires an illumination flare into the sky.

Second, when they blow up all the bad guys in the bunker after soaking them with gasoline, there are multiple explosions and fires. The flare's high intensity light, combined with the red color and the erratic flickering is the perfect solution to this lighting dilema.

The downside is that dripping flare juice can really ruin the rest of your day!

RB

Joseph W. Carney Jr · July 25th, 2004, 02:31 PM

I recently visited Zotz and came across thier 4k light setup the price was great but I never used this brand. I usually use the Lowel DP set and have had no problems with them. I know there are a lot of people that are not fans of Lowel but How does NRG compare.

Aaron Koolen · July 29th, 2004, 06:17 PM

Looks interesting. Step by step lessons on lighting specific setups.

Web Photo School

Aaron

Chris McKee · July 30th, 2004, 12:34 AM

I signed up a while ago... great for lighting-retarded people like me. Lots of great ideas.

Nick Medrano · July 30th, 2004, 08:07 PM

Hi folks,
I have the Kino Flo Diva Lite 400 and I have a lamp case that came with it. However, I can not carry more than 6 lamps in that case and I have a total of 10 lamps. Is it okay if I left the other lamps in my Kino Flo Fixture as storage? Or, do they have to go in the case? I think I've seen people leave them in the fixture when transporting equipment from location to location.

Comments? Thanks.

June 18th, 2004, 12:25 PM	#151
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Nanotech LED research Here's a press release about a collaboration between RPI and Evident Technologies to develop LED technology that incorporates quantum dot nanomaterials. If successful, the technology will feature "tunable" color properties. http://tinyurl.com/3fr5l

June 21st, 2004, 07:14 AM	#152
Allen Brodsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eatontown, NJ Posts: 118	Case for Sony 10/20W light? For those who use the Sony HVL-20DW2 10/20Watt video light, what do you use for a case or wrap for this light? I want something to use to avoid scratches while transporting in my kit bag. I generally use socks to protect small items like this. Great on-camera light, by the way, and an excellent value.

June 26th, 2004, 05:30 AM	#153
Nawaf Alali Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Kuwait, Kuwait Posts: 100	How to light for Music Video Clips? I know there isnt a certain answer for this question, but do you guys have general tips for lighting a music video clip? I noticed that alot of video clips these days use Ring Flash/Light (you can see the reflection in the singer's glasses). I'd like some tips on that (Brands.. Best way to use them.. etc). I've been watching "Behind the scenes" of the clips, and it's helping alot. But I also wanna hear your thoughts about this issue.

June 26th, 2004, 10:13 AM	#154
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I believe that the "ring" light is a Kino Flo Kamio light. I think they are sold in a couple of sizes and can be powered from a 12v source. They are not cheap but are often rentable. Check Kino's site. __________________ 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

June 28th, 2004, 07:40 AM	#155
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Lighting for music videos depends on many things. If it's a band, you usually need some kind of stage set/location to capture the band's performance. How you light it depends on the music, the location, the image you are trying to get across, etc. A single artist video can take you all over the place to many locations and settings. Each of those has to be lighted as if it were a movie set. This can take from minutes to hours to days for EACH setup and/or camera angle. The lighting design can be anything from a single light for dramatic effect to dozens (or hundreds) of instruments for grandeur. The main thing here is to make the star look as good as possible. People with big noses or poor skin are many times lighted with what's known as 'beauty lighting'. That type of lighting is flat, soft, head on so it doesn't cast shadows and a bit over exposed. Beauty lightng makes the nose disappear into the face, the skin smoother and the eyes pop. The circular light you've seen in the eyes of many solo artists (usually women) like Ken T. said are Kine flo, though that is usually not the only light used. Normally there will be an additional softbox(es), back light and background lights as a single front light isn't the best look although a recent Shania Twain video features a guy with a single on camera light circling her. Of course with her looks you could also dress her in rags and she'd still look awesome. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

June 28th, 2004, 10:56 PM	#156
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	What cool bulbs would work in Lowel Mid-L? I'm eyeing this kit for it small size. I like extremely low key, naturalistic lighting for narrative. http://www.lowel.com/kits/l-lightMid-L.html It state E26 base bulbs will fit, so I'm wondering if I can use flourescents for cool temps. Anyone use this kit? __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

July 4th, 2004, 10:43 PM	#157
Jack Barker Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 342	Light Head Case/s? I'm looking for the right case for 4 fresnel heads, (2) 650W - 10"w x 7.5"h x 8"d and (2) 300W - 8.5"w x 7"h x 7"d. These dims are looking from the front and include the focus arms, built-in scrim holder, etc. I've seen a couple of decent Cordura nylon soft cases that would hold them and some scrims, but I'm worried about having to replace a broken fresnel lens if the case should ever get a good knock. I just want a case for the heads, cables and a few accessories - the stands have their own case. Am I worrying needlessly, or do you guys use hard cases for your heads? I've seen Walter Graf's all-in-one wonder, but that doesn't make me feel any more confident.

July 4th, 2004, 10:59 PM	#158
Patrick Gault Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cereal City USA Posts: 286	If your worried, go with a hard shell case. It may be worth the peace of mind. I use a Pelican PCS104 . Its similar to what Walter Graff uses, only smaller. The 104 is well padded and seems very durable so far. The Pelican Hard Cases are much cheaper. I bought my 104 used on eBay and got a great deal.

July 15th, 2004, 01:39 PM	#159
Adam Lawrence _redone_ Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 224	non-textbook lighting methods hello all, I will be shooting some invterviews next week and they will be interior, most likely bar or nightclub enviroments (so fairly dark atmosphere) Ive done many using 3-point based techniques and needless to say thats fairly boring, especially for the type of interviews what i will be doing. I want these to be more mood-like and theatrical than your average "talking-head" production. Is there any literature online or published that anyone can reccomend? Any suggestions? Thanks in advanced. __________________ Adam Lawrence eatdrink Media Las Vegas NV www.eatdrinkmedia.com

July 16th, 2004, 10:31 PM	#160
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	"Dirty Dozen" bamboo flares? Okay, old-timers... here's a question for you. I was watching a "making of" show on "The Dirty Dozen" today and they showed several guys holding up what looked to be 10 to 15 foot high bamboo poles, and at the top end of them were what looked to be emergency flares...but probably not due to the short burn time of flares. They used it during the filming of the final Nazi Chateau scene--at night. What are those things? And were they primarily for lighting or smoke? __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

July 19th, 2004, 09:26 PM	#161
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	The smoke from burning flares is highly toxic so you would not want your actors and crew working in it. They are primarily for lighting. There are various places that this technique is used at the end of the movie. First, when Bravos blows up the convoy, Posey fires an illumination flare into the sky. Second, when they blow up all the bad guys in the bunker after soaking them with gasoline, there are multiple explosions and fires. The flare's high intensity light, combined with the red color and the erratic flickering is the perfect solution to this lighting dilema. The downside is that dripping flare juice can really ruin the rest of your day! RB __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

July 25th, 2004, 02:31 PM	#162
Joseph W. Carney Jr New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boca Raton, Florida Posts: 14	NRG vs. Lowel I recently visited Zotz and came across thier 4k light setup the price was great but I never used this brand. I usually use the Lowel DP set and have had no problems with them. I know there are a lot of people that are not fans of Lowel but How does NRG compare.

July 29th, 2004, 06:17 PM	#163
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Lighting school site (photoflex sponsored) Looks interesting. Step by step lessons on lighting specific setups. Web Photo School Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

July 30th, 2004, 12:34 AM	#164
Chris McKee Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 47	I signed up a while ago... great for lighting-retarded people like me. Lots of great ideas.

July 30th, 2004, 08:07 PM	#165
Nick Medrano Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 331	Kino Flo lamp question Hi folks, I have the Kino Flo Diva Lite 400 and I have a lamp case that came with it. However, I can not carry more than 6 lamps in that case and I have a total of 10 lamps. Is it okay if I left the other lamps in my Kino Flo Fixture as storage? Or, do they have to go in the case? I think I've seen people leave them in the fixture when transporting equipment from location to location. Comments? Thanks.