Lights Suggestions For Nightclub Interviews at DVinfo.net

Michael McConnell · June 25th, 2003, 07:25 AM

Hello, I use a sony vx-2000 and i have a cheesy small little 3 or 4 watt light (smallest mounted light sony offers) that i use. I mainly use my camera in very dark nightclubs to do interviews. I notice that the light seems to tunnel in on the subject like a police helicopter search light on cops. Does anybody have suggestions for me? I would like to light both subjects of course fully and not have the light just focus on the face and leave the body dark. Thanks for your time.

Mike Rehmus · June 25th, 2003, 07:42 PM

Tape a little bit of diffusing fabric over the light. Even frosty scotch tape will help. For a permanent fix, sandpaper the lens with a fine paper. Maybe 400 grit.

You could probably use a slightly stronger light to good effect. Maybe a 10 or 20 watt. They are fairly inexpensive. The Sony version even runs off a separate camera battery.

Michael McConnell · June 25th, 2003, 10:19 PM

thanks mike, I've seen some videographers put some kind of tape or paper over there mounted lights before. I'll try both your suggestions.

Michael Wisniewski · June 26th, 2003, 04:46 PM

Aside from using a diffuser - Try bouncing the light off the ceiling, walls, or floor.

Lowtech: Bring a small flashlight and velcro it to the camera, then you can orient it anyway you want. In conjunction with your onboard light you can get two point lighting ... 3 point if you place your subjects in front of a light source (like the bar) to give them a backlight.

Get a leash for the flash light for when it gets crowded.

Michael McConnell · July 5th, 2003, 06:41 PM

HEY, THANKS FOR UR ADVICE--IM GOING TO TRY THE FLASHLIGHT TRICK NEXT SUNDAY AT THIS CLUB I'M BOOKED TO DO. ILL SHOW YOU THE FINISH PRODUCT.

Jason Eustice · July 6th, 2003, 01:31 PM

you can get a cheap china ball (battery operated) at places like peir one imports and other trendy home stores. These work great and you can easly find places in clubs to hang these near your subject. 10 to 15 bucks. The ones with chords are just as good but you will have to make sure you have power.

Charles Papert · July 6th, 2003, 01:56 PM

I second the china ball approach, I've used just that in dark bars in the past. I've never seen a DC version before (Jason, please post a link if you have one?). The nice thing is that it is very easy on the eyes of the subject, they won't squint or feel like they are being interrogated (and it gives a more natural, less "evening news" look to the photography). One way to maintain a low profile is to have a dimmer on the china ball and while you are setting up the shot or preparing the interview (if applicable) you can have the ball on a low dimmed setting, and then turn it up when you are just about to shoot. Having a helper holding the ball will give you more flexibility, in that you can position it below the camera for a stylized look (similar to reality TV shows, where they often have a softlight sitting on the center of the table in bar scenes).

Jason Eustice · July 6th, 2003, 03:06 PM

i dont have a link to the dc balls. I have gotten a couple of them a year or two ago at peir one. They are out there, just a matter of finding them. I have not ever tried to find them on the net before, I am almost sur eyou can though. Peir one imports will have no clue as to what your talking about unless you talkto a manager, I know they can order them if they dont have them in stock. Also somone once told me he got one at a camping store. go figure.

John Jay · July 9th, 2003, 07:01 AM

a 12v flour perhaps?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/catalog/pictures-all/LargeImages/ModuleImages/27366i0.jpg

June 25th, 2003, 07:25 AM	#1
Michael McConnell Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: corona,ny Posts: 66	Lights Suggestions For Nightclub Interviews Hello, I use a sony vx-2000 and i have a cheesy small little 3 or 4 watt light (smallest mounted light sony offers) that i use. I mainly use my camera in very dark nightclubs to do interviews. I notice that the light seems to tunnel in on the subject like a police helicopter search light on cops. Does anybody have suggestions for me? I would like to light both subjects of course fully and not have the light just focus on the face and leave the body dark. Thanks for your time. __________________ co-owner www.gakcity.com

June 25th, 2003, 07:42 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Tape a little bit of diffusing fabric over the light. Even frosty scotch tape will help. For a permanent fix, sandpaper the lens with a fine paper. Maybe 400 grit. You could probably use a slightly stronger light to good effect. Maybe a 10 or 20 watt. They are fairly inexpensive. The Sony version even runs off a separate camera battery. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

June 25th, 2003, 10:19 PM	#3
Michael McConnell Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: corona,ny Posts: 66	ok thanks mike, I've seen some videographers put some kind of tape or paper over there mounted lights before. I'll try both your suggestions. __________________ co-owner www.gakcity.com

June 26th, 2003, 04:46 PM	#4
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Aside from using a diffuser - Try bouncing the light off the ceiling, walls, or floor. Lowtech: Bring a small flashlight and velcro it to the camera, then you can orient it anyway you want. In conjunction with your onboard light you can get two point lighting ... 3 point if you place your subjects in front of a light source (like the bar) to give them a backlight. Get a leash for the flash light for when it gets crowded. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

July 5th, 2003, 06:41 PM	#5
Michael McConnell Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: corona,ny Posts: 66	YEP HEY, THANKS FOR UR ADVICE--IM GOING TO TRY THE FLASHLIGHT TRICK NEXT SUNDAY AT THIS CLUB I'M BOOKED TO DO. ILL SHOW YOU THE FINISH PRODUCT. __________________ co-owner www.gakcity.com

July 6th, 2003, 01:31 PM	#6
Jason Eustice New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: chattanooga, TN. Posts: 8	you can get a cheap china ball (battery operated) at places like peir one imports and other trendy home stores. These work great and you can easly find places in clubs to hang these near your subject. 10 to 15 bucks. The ones with chords are just as good but you will have to make sure you have power. __________________ Check out www.newplanetpictures.com the strangest feature films known to dv.

July 6th, 2003, 01:56 PM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	I second the china ball approach, I've used just that in dark bars in the past. I've never seen a DC version before (Jason, please post a link if you have one?). The nice thing is that it is very easy on the eyes of the subject, they won't squint or feel like they are being interrogated (and it gives a more natural, less "evening news" look to the photography). One way to maintain a low profile is to have a dimmer on the china ball and while you are setting up the shot or preparing the interview (if applicable) you can have the ball on a low dimmed setting, and then turn it up when you are just about to shoot. Having a helper holding the ball will give you more flexibility, in that you can position it below the camera for a stylized look (similar to reality TV shows, where they often have a softlight sitting on the center of the table in bar scenes). __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 6th, 2003, 03:06 PM	#8
Jason Eustice New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: chattanooga, TN. Posts: 8	i dont have a link to the dc balls. I have gotten a couple of them a year or two ago at peir one. They are out there, just a matter of finding them. I have not ever tried to find them on the net before, I am almost sur eyou can though. Peir one imports will have no clue as to what your talking about unless you talkto a manager, I know they can order them if they dont have them in stock. Also somone once told me he got one at a camping store. go figure. __________________ Check out www.newplanetpictures.com the strangest feature films known to dv.

July 9th, 2003, 07:01 AM	#9
John Jay Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: US & THEM Posts: 827	a 12v flour perhaps? http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/catalog/pictures-all/LargeImages/ModuleImages/27366i0.jpg __________________ John Jay Beware *PLUGGER-BYTES*