Which backlight? at DVinfo.net

Darren Ruddock · November 1st, 2010, 10:27 AM

Hi there,

I'm not a huge authority on lighting so thought I'd turn to the pro's.

We have a shoot for a dvd coming up. Just a single performer in a mid shot with a black background.

We currently have two Kaiser Videolight 4's at 2 x 1000 watt. What would be a good backlight to accompany this setup and where am I best to buy from?

Many thanks

Darren Ruddock · November 1st, 2010, 04:01 PM

Will any light do??? Anyone????

Ian Dart · November 1st, 2010, 04:29 PM

150w dedo or 300w arri fresnel on a dimmer

Ken Hull · November 1st, 2010, 11:34 PM

Darren,

I would suggest a focussing Fresnel spot, such as the LTM Pepper 300:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/125374-REG/LTM_PH_165F.html
But I don't know what color temperature those Kaiser Videolights are. If they are daylight balanced, then you would want a filter on the tungsten-balanced Pepper.

Ken

Robin Lambert · November 2nd, 2010, 11:11 AM

Hi Darren.

Since you're using Kaiser lights, I presume you're working on a very low amateur budget. In which case I would suggest using a reflector or piece of polished metal to bounce the Kaisers' light back as backlights.

It might take a bit of fiddling but is about the cheapest method available.

Darren Ruddock · November 2nd, 2010, 11:13 AM

Hi Robert,

We tend to do more location shooting and work with a bashlight if need be. This is a DVD shoot so backlight would be helpful.

Thanks for suggestions guys!

Gabe Spangler · November 3rd, 2010, 10:33 PM

I've always liked the Mole Richardson 200-watt baby solar spot fresnels for back/rim lights. Not sure if that's the correct term for that light. Mole Richardson has such weird names for their lights, I can't keep up. They are nice little lights that seem to put off more than 200 watts for some reason. And focusable, like all other Mole fresnels. Of course if you want a really pronounced back light, you'll have to step up to a 650 or a 1k.

Charles Papert · November 3rd, 2010, 11:31 PM

As with many lighting questions, there are quite a few possible answers depending on the look one is going for.

While the traditional backlight is a fresnel as suggested above, a more subtle look can be achieved by using a soft light source which could be a fresnel or open face in a Chimera, a flo fixture or a LED source. I'll make my decisions on an individual basis, taking into account the color and quality of hair (or lack thereof--bald heads require quite a different approach)!

One of my favorites is to use a Litepanel mini on a small boom stand, positioned just a few feet above and behind the subject. Easy to reach the dimmer and I can swing the boom forward or back to achieve the desired look. A more overhead angle on the backlight results in a more natural look to the hair, where it is lit without the rim effect one gets from a backlight positioned further back.

No matter what, it's most helpful to have dimming control on the light to tweak it just so once the subject is on camera, whether it is built into the unit or plugged into an outboard dimmer.

Brett Sherman · November 8th, 2010, 07:06 PM

I agree with Charles. I've totally gone to LED for the backlight. Carrying a Tungsten with a Dimmer was just too bulky. Not to mention I don't have to worry about AC cords. The LEDs are light so they are easy to boom. I use a Comer 1800. It's got a little more oomph than the Litepanels mini when you need it, especially with the focusing attachment. It also has a 3200k filter that flips in so it can't be lost.

Jim Burnes · November 10th, 2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe Spangler

I've always liked the Mole Richardson 200-watt baby solar spot fresnels for back/rim lights. Not sure if that's the correct term for that light. Mole Richardson has such weird names for their lights, I can't keep up. They are nice little lights that seem to put off more than 200 watts for some reason. And focusable, like all other Mole fresnels. Of course if you want a really pronounced back light, you'll have to step up to a 650 or a 1k.

Depending on how old they are they have different names, but I think the 200W MR's are called Midgets or Tweenies?

I've got a couple Midgets.

Oren Arieli · November 10th, 2010, 05:20 PM

I use a Lowel Pro-light 250 with a snoot. It's very light and portable, easy to counterbalance on a boom and once snooted, gives you a nice narrow beam. Price is reasonable too.

November 1st, 2010, 10:27 AM	#1
Darren Ruddock Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southend, UK Posts: 165	Which backlight? Hi there, I'm not a huge authority on lighting so thought I'd turn to the pro's. We have a shoot for a dvd coming up. Just a single performer in a mid shot with a black background. We currently have two Kaiser Videolight 4's at 2 x 1000 watt. What would be a good backlight to accompany this setup and where am I best to buy from? Many thanks

November 3rd, 2010, 11:31 PM	#8
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	As with many lighting questions, there are quite a few possible answers depending on the look one is going for. While the traditional backlight is a fresnel as suggested above, a more subtle look can be achieved by using a soft light source which could be a fresnel or open face in a Chimera, a flo fixture or a LED source. I'll make my decisions on an individual basis, taking into account the color and quality of hair (or lack thereof--bald heads require quite a different approach)! One of my favorites is to use a Litepanel mini on a small boom stand, positioned just a few feet above and behind the subject. Easy to reach the dimmer and I can swing the boom forward or back to achieve the desired look. A more overhead angle on the backlight results in a more natural look to the hair, where it is lit without the rim effect one gets from a backlight positioned further back. No matter what, it's most helpful to have dimming control on the light to tweak it just so once the subject is on camera, whether it is built into the unit or plugged into an outboard dimmer. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 1st, 2010, 04:01 PM	#2
Darren Ruddock Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southend, UK Posts: 165	Will any light do??? Anyone????

November 1st, 2010, 04:29 PM	#3
Ian Dart Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 67	150w dedo or 300w arri fresnel on a dimmer

November 1st, 2010, 11:34 PM	#4
Ken Hull Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 240	Darren, I would suggest a focussing Fresnel spot, such as the LTM Pepper 300: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/125374-REG/LTM_PH_165F.html But I don't know what color temperature those Kaiser Videolights are. If they are daylight balanced, then you would want a filter on the tungsten-balanced Pepper. Ken

November 2nd, 2010, 11:11 AM	#5
Robin Lambert Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Posts: 70	Hi Darren. Since you're using Kaiser lights, I presume you're working on a very low amateur budget. In which case I would suggest using a reflector or piece of polished metal to bounce the Kaisers' light back as backlights. It might take a bit of fiddling but is about the cheapest method available.

November 2nd, 2010, 11:13 AM	#6
Darren Ruddock Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southend, UK Posts: 165	Hi Robert, We tend to do more location shooting and work with a bashlight if need be. This is a DVD shoot so backlight would be helpful. Thanks for suggestions guys!

November 3rd, 2010, 10:33 PM	#7
Gabe Spangler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 69	I've always liked the Mole Richardson 200-watt baby solar spot fresnels for back/rim lights. Not sure if that's the correct term for that light. Mole Richardson has such weird names for their lights, I can't keep up. They are nice little lights that seem to put off more than 200 watts for some reason. And focusable, like all other Mole fresnels. Of course if you want a really pronounced back light, you'll have to step up to a 650 or a 1k.

November 8th, 2010, 07:06 PM	#9
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	I agree with Charles. I've totally gone to LED for the backlight. Carrying a Tungsten with a Dimmer was just too bulky. Not to mention I don't have to worry about AC cords. The LEDs are light so they are easy to boom. I use a Comer 1800. It's got a little more oomph than the Litepanels mini when you need it, especially with the focusing attachment. It also has a 3200k filter that flips in so it can't be lost.

November 10th, 2010, 05:20 PM	#11
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 918	I use a Lowel Pro-light 250 with a snoot. It's very light and portable, easy to counterbalance on a boom and once snooted, gives you a nice narrow beam. Price is reasonable too.