Lighting Directional Softboxes or Umbrellas ??? at DVinfo.net

Chip Thome · January 22nd, 2011, 01:20 AM

Greetings again oh wise ones !!!!

Here is where I am at right this moment. I have ZERO added lighting available to me and am looking to get SOMETHING to at least "get me in the game" for now. I am not looking at this for ceremonies, but possibly speeches or more likely staged interviews, or love story discussions on the couch. So for most of what I see my need is at this time, it would be used in "controlled situations".

I have seen what I assume are the two basic styles of lighting, a "directional" style softbox w/diffuser and then the use of fixtures and unidireectional "umbrellas".

A dear friend had her photog doing a photo shoot of the guests at her reception, and his choice in lighting he brought in were his strobes into his umbrellas.

So if you were me, what would style of lighting would you pick to at least have something that will produce decent results across a more broad spectrum of potential "controlled" uses ???

Renton Maclachlan · January 22nd, 2011, 02:11 AM

Hi Chip

My resident expert, Vortex media's great DVD "How to Setup, Light, & Shoot Great Looking Interviews" [ Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training ], which sounds like it addresses a variation on what you've outlined, recommends a key light with a soft box and egg crate and a dimmer so that your light can be aimmed precisely where you want it without spilling all over the show...and have its intensity varied. It also of course recommends a fill light/reflector and backlight but you may not use them...or may. I have followed their recommendations in my 'studio' and am very satisfied.

I would imagine a light into an umbrella would spill light everywhere...

I use a modified 500w work light which takes a Photoflex softbox and egg crate.

Chris Harding · January 22nd, 2011, 05:26 PM

Hi Chip

I only use a softbox during the speeches..just a single one sorta 4' x 3' with 4 x 50W CFL lamps inside and they are rated at 5500K so the cameras white balance very nicely too!!

That seems to give a nice soft even light over probably the right area you are looking at

Chris

Chip Thome · January 23rd, 2011, 12:23 AM

Thanks guys for the input, hoping some others get to chime in too. When I went out and searched Ebay for lighting, the combinations became mind boggling. 1,2,3 and 4 stand kits, heck one even had a boom for overhead !!! The vast majority were of either the softbox or umbrella. I am sure there are uses for both, otherwise they wouldn't be offered.

Renton Maclachlan · January 23rd, 2011, 04:09 AM

Chip, the DVD I mentioned will cut right through all the boggling of mind and make it as clear as a bell - guaranteed! Don't buy anything until you have seen it...

Sean Seah · January 24th, 2011, 02:28 AM

Cool lights might be your answer.

Chip Thome · January 24th, 2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renton Maclachlan

Chip, the DVD I mentioned will cut right through all the boggling of mind and make it as clear as a bell - guaranteed! Don't buy anything until you have seen it...

Ordered it this morning from my buddy, hatch@fullcompass.com . Full Compass had one of the best prices going, and for that price along with your recommendation, it was a no brainer.

Vortex Media ILDVD How to Setup, Light, & Shoot Great Looking Interviews DVD | Full Compass

Chip Thome · January 25th, 2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip Thome

Ordered it this morning from my buddy, hatch@fullcompass.com . Full Compass had one of the best prices going, and for that price along with your recommendation, it was a no brainer.

Vortex Media ILDVD How to Setup, Light, & Shoot Great Looking Interviews DVD | Full Compass

Arrived this morning.... looks like school starts right after lunch !!!! :-)

Geoffrey Chandler · January 25th, 2011, 08:03 PM

Controlling light makes such a difference - after all, that's what we're recording - it's just that event videography is too often run & gun. Good luck.

Chip Thome · January 25th, 2011, 10:08 PM

I watched it the first time through, and Renton you were right, it does give a good basic understanding. As they added the various components to lighting the situation, you could see the benefits as each was added. What I found real surprising is how much gear goes in to something like this !!! This is perfect for controlled situations, now wondering how I can adapt the information from here to a less controlled / more live situation too ???

All in all, well worth the money spent, thanks Renton for the heads up !!!

Renton Maclachlan · January 26th, 2011, 01:09 AM

I'm glad you weren't disappointed and hope you find it as helpful as I have. Once you know the principles I guess it just takes some ingenuity to apply them to your live situation.

January 22nd, 2011, 01:20 AM	#1
Chip Thome Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 553	Lighting Directional Softboxes or Umbrellas ??? Greetings again oh wise ones !!!! Here is where I am at right this moment. I have ZERO added lighting available to me and am looking to get SOMETHING to at least "get me in the game" for now. I am not looking at this for ceremonies, but possibly speeches or more likely staged interviews, or love story discussions on the couch. So for most of what I see my need is at this time, it would be used in "controlled situations". I have seen what I assume are the two basic styles of lighting, a "directional" style softbox w/diffuser and then the use of fixtures and unidireectional "umbrellas". A dear friend had her photog doing a photo shoot of the guests at her reception, and his choice in lighting he brought in were his strobes into his umbrellas. So if you were me, what would style of lighting would you pick to at least have something that will produce decent results across a more broad spectrum of potential "controlled" uses ???

January 24th, 2011, 02:28 AM	#6
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	Cool lights might be your answer. __________________ Firewerkz Films SGP

January 25th, 2011, 08:03 PM	#9
Geoffrey Chandler Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 144	Seeing the light Controlling light makes such a difference - after all, that's what we're recording - it's just that event videography is too often run & gun. Good luck. __________________ Wedding Videography \| WebCasting & Live Events \| YouTube Channel

January 22nd, 2011, 02:11 AM	#2
Renton Maclachlan Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,180	Hi Chip My resident expert, Vortex media's great DVD "How to Setup, Light, & Shoot Great Looking Interviews" [ Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training ], which sounds like it addresses a variation on what you've outlined, recommends a key light with a soft box and egg crate and a dimmer so that your light can be aimmed precisely where you want it without spilling all over the show...and have its intensity varied. It also of course recommends a fill light/reflector and backlight but you may not use them...or may. I have followed their recommendations in my 'studio' and am very satisfied. I would imagine a light into an umbrella would spill light everywhere... I use a modified 500w work light which takes a Photoflex softbox and egg crate.

January 22nd, 2011, 05:26 PM	#3
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Chip I only use a softbox during the speeches..just a single one sorta 4' x 3' with 4 x 50W CFL lamps inside and they are rated at 5500K so the cameras white balance very nicely too!! That seems to give a nice soft even light over probably the right area you are looking at Chris

January 23rd, 2011, 12:23 AM	#4
Chip Thome Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 553	Thanks guys for the input, hoping some others get to chime in too. When I went out and searched Ebay for lighting, the combinations became mind boggling. 1,2,3 and 4 stand kits, heck one even had a boom for overhead !!! The vast majority were of either the softbox or umbrella. I am sure there are uses for both, otherwise they wouldn't be offered.

January 23rd, 2011, 04:09 AM	#5
Renton Maclachlan Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,180	Chip, the DVD I mentioned will cut right through all the boggling of mind and make it as clear as a bell - guaranteed! Don't buy anything until you have seen it...

January 25th, 2011, 10:08 PM	#10
Chip Thome Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 553	I watched it the first time through, and Renton you were right, it does give a good basic understanding. As they added the various components to lighting the situation, you could see the benefits as each was added. What I found real surprising is how much gear goes in to something like this !!! This is perfect for controlled situations, now wondering how I can adapt the information from here to a less controlled / more live situation too ??? All in all, well worth the money spent, thanks Renton for the heads up !!!

January 26th, 2011, 01:09 AM	#11
Renton Maclachlan Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,180	I'm glad you weren't disappointed and hope you find it as helpful as I have. Once you know the principles I guess it just takes some ingenuity to apply them to your live situation.