$100 Lighting Kit??? at DVinfo.net

Gordon White · May 1st, 2006, 08:56 AM

As a newbie planning to buy a lighting kit, I'd like some feedback on the validity of the $100 lighting kit posted on a video podcast here:

http://www.wovenshadows.com/?p=6

Is this really a solution that could yield 'professional' results?

Thank you!

K. Forman · May 1st, 2006, 09:45 AM

You could get better results than not using any lighting, but it is nothing more than Home Depot clamp ons. You can buy them for $3-4 apiece. It would be ok for lighting a small area or subject, but not much else. If you look again, he is putting together a lighter kit for photography. Video lights are a little more robust, and offer decent features for the extra money.

For a more realistic kit, look at the Britek light kits for a few hundred.

Dean Sensui · May 1st, 2006, 02:13 PM

At one of the sessions at NAB it was suggested to use depleted Bounce dryer sheets as diffusers. They're made to tolerate heat and cheap enough to toss in the trash, which is where they were headed anyway.

They smell nice, too.

Steven Gotz · May 1st, 2006, 03:24 PM

Very cool idea. (pun intended)

Ralph Keyser · May 1st, 2006, 05:07 PM

Hmmm. Aromatherapy meets woven diffusion.
What do you mean there's no Relaxing Lavendar Tough Spun on the truck!?!

Bill Ball · May 2nd, 2006, 07:10 AM

If you really want to spend less than $100 get a large chinese lantern with photoflood (3200k & 5600) bulbs. Spend the other $70 on a good stand and some foam core reflectors. At least you will have decent soft light for your actors with a large margin for error. You will have to light sets with practicals or sunlight.

Gordon White · May 2nd, 2006, 10:29 AM

Thank you Keith and Bill.

The rest of you please keep your comments in the laundry forum.

I think the video at www.wovenshadows.com/?p=6 makes a solid case for this $100 lighting kit. It might not be the right kit for everyone, but to my eyes he gets 'professional' looking results.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this $100 kit?

Thank you!

Bill Ball · May 2nd, 2006, 11:03 AM

Yeah it makes a solid case for shooting stills of statutes against white paper.

Video is a different discipline. You will not be happy with hard lights on real people.

Actually he is using the same bulbs I suggested. But I was pointing you toward soft light.

I also think his safety advice is extremely important to follow.

Walter Graff has some video specific advice in the instruction part of his web site:
http://www.bluesky-web.com/
Your first $100 would be better spent attending one of Walter's workshops. Or buy John Jackman's book. Or both.

It really doesnt matter what you spend your first few hundred on as it will not produce high quality results (due to inexperience and cheap fixtures combined). The more important thing is to start. So get something and start experimenting. Just dont set yourself on fire in the process.

K. Forman · May 2nd, 2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Ball

Just dont set yourself on fire in the process.

Or your location... folks seem to frown upon that sort of thing ;)

Brandon Whiteside · May 6th, 2006, 10:13 AM

my kit consists of 4 hlogen work lights from lowe's, which costs $10 each. i also have various bounce cards and some c-stands.

Steve Witt · May 6th, 2006, 12:05 PM

the picture of the man with the lights looks underexposed or just too dark. Did they mean to do this?

www.wovenshadows.com/?p=6

Cole McDonald · May 6th, 2006, 03:11 PM

I've moved to GE Soft white flourescent adaptor bulbs...in clamp on scoops (brooder lights). My actors loved me for this change...not only do they look better with the slightly softer light, but they generate almost no heat! I can Clip parchment paper to them to soften even more if I like and you can run 3 of them on a circuit that would have held one incandescent before :)

I started my production with the work lights, but they made the sets unbearably hot, we had to take breaks while we were shooting. I have a bunch of cheap microphne boom stands that I'm using as lighting stands right now, but I'll be switching over to proper (cheap) light stands soon.

My 1st AD actually ended up holding a scoop hidden behind a door frame in one of our last shots because we were out of light stands and needed some back light thrown in. couldn't have done that with the quartz or the incandescents.

Seun Osewa · January 13th, 2007, 04:52 AM

I've concluded that nothing beats the convenience of halogen lights. They have far better color rendition than flourescents, higher efficiency and whiter light than tungsten bulbs, great portability because just one lamp throws a lot of light. Nothing beats that combination. <<oops, wrong thread>>

May 1st, 2006, 08:56 AM	#1
Gordon White New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	$100 Lighting Kit??? As a newbie planning to buy a lighting kit, I'd like some feedback on the validity of the $100 lighting kit posted on a video podcast here: http://www.wovenshadows.com/?p=6 Is this really a solution that could yield 'professional' results? Thank you!

May 1st, 2006, 09:45 AM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	You could get better results than not using any lighting, but it is nothing more than Home Depot clamp ons. You can buy them for $3-4 apiece. It would be ok for lighting a small area or subject, but not much else. If you look again, he is putting together a lighter kit for photography. Video lights are a little more robust, and offer decent features for the extra money. For a more realistic kit, look at the Britek light kits for a few hundred. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

May 1st, 2006, 02:13 PM	#3
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	At one of the sessions at NAB it was suggested to use depleted Bounce dryer sheets as diffusers. They're made to tolerate heat and cheap enough to toss in the trash, which is where they were headed anyway. They smell nice, too. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

May 1st, 2006, 03:24 PM	#4
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	Very cool idea. (pun intended) __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

May 6th, 2006, 03:11 PM	#12
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	I've moved to GE Soft white flourescent adaptor bulbs...in clamp on scoops (brooder lights). My actors loved me for this change...not only do they look better with the slightly softer light, but they generate almost no heat! I can Clip parchment paper to them to soften even more if I like and you can run 3 of them on a circuit that would have held one incandescent before :) I started my production with the work lights, but they made the sets unbearably hot, we had to take breaks while we were shooting. I have a bunch of cheap microphne boom stands that I'm using as lighting stands right now, but I'll be switching over to proper (cheap) light stands soon. My 1st AD actually ended up holding a scoop hidden behind a door frame in one of our last shots because we were out of light stands and needed some back light thrown in. couldn't have done that with the quartz or the incandescents. __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

May 1st, 2006, 05:07 PM	#5
Ralph Keyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Posts: 287	Hmmm. Aromatherapy meets woven diffusion. What do you mean there's no Relaxing Lavendar Tough Spun on the truck!?!

May 2nd, 2006, 07:10 AM	#6
Bill Ball Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 216	If you really want to spend less than $100 get a large chinese lantern with photoflood (3200k & 5600) bulbs. Spend the other $70 on a good stand and some foam core reflectors. At least you will have decent soft light for your actors with a large margin for error. You will have to light sets with practicals or sunlight.

May 2nd, 2006, 10:29 AM	#7
Gordon White New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	Thank you Keith and Bill. The rest of you please keep your comments in the laundry forum. I think the video at www.wovenshadows.com/?p=6 makes a solid case for this $100 lighting kit. It might not be the right kit for everyone, but to my eyes he gets 'professional' looking results. Anyone else want to weigh in on this $100 kit? Thank you!

May 2nd, 2006, 11:03 AM	#8
Bill Ball Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 216	Yeah it makes a solid case for shooting stills of statutes against white paper. Video is a different discipline. You will not be happy with hard lights on real people. Actually he is using the same bulbs I suggested. But I was pointing you toward soft light. I also think his safety advice is extremely important to follow. Walter Graff has some video specific advice in the instruction part of his web site: http://www.bluesky-web.com/ Your first $100 would be better spent attending one of Walter's workshops. Or buy John Jackman's book. Or both. It really doesnt matter what you spend your first few hundred on as it will not produce high quality results (due to inexperience and cheap fixtures combined). The more important thing is to start. So get something and start experimenting. Just dont set yourself on fire in the process.

May 6th, 2006, 10:13 AM	#10
Brandon Whiteside Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 46	my kit consists of 4 hlogen work lights from lowe's, which costs $10 each. i also have various bounce cards and some c-stands.

May 6th, 2006, 12:05 PM	#11
Steve Witt Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: kentucky, USA Posts: 429	the picture of the man with the lights looks underexposed or just too dark. Did they mean to do this? www.wovenshadows.com/?p=6

January 13th, 2007, 04:52 AM	#13
Seun Osewa Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Africa Posts: 255	I've concluded that nothing beats the convenience of halogen lights. They have far better color rendition than flourescents, higher efficiency and whiter light than tungsten bulbs, great portability because just one lamp throws a lot of light. Nothing beats that combination. <<oops, wrong thread>> Last edited by Seun Osewa; January 13th, 2007 at 04:53 AM. Reason: delete