Lighting for photography/videography
Foxy xo
Registered Users Posts: 52 Big grins
Hi there!
I'm moving up in the camera world, and its about time I got some lighting equipment to bring me to that next level.
I shoot with a 7D, and if I were to have the ideal setup, I'd love to be able to have lights setup in my apartment/studio, but also be able to take things with me on the road, if I were to do outdoor shoots, or even shots in a different location, including video.
I probably want continuous lights, as this goes in hand for my videography needs. I know how to use lights, and set them up, and the theory that goes behind it, but I'm clueless when it comes to what I should actually buy.
My good friend recommended Alien Bees.
Keeping in mind, I'm on a fairly tight budget.
It'a also probably a good idea to note that I have $300 store credit over at powermax.com, and they have a selection of lighting available here: http://www.powermax.com/cats/sub/pdv_lighting
Thanks in advance!
I'm moving up in the camera world, and its about time I got some lighting equipment to bring me to that next level.
I shoot with a 7D, and if I were to have the ideal setup, I'd love to be able to have lights setup in my apartment/studio, but also be able to take things with me on the road, if I were to do outdoor shoots, or even shots in a different location, including video.
I probably want continuous lights, as this goes in hand for my videography needs. I know how to use lights, and set them up, and the theory that goes behind it, but I'm clueless when it comes to what I should actually buy.
My good friend recommended Alien Bees.
Keeping in mind, I'm on a fairly tight budget.
It'a also probably a good idea to note that I have $300 store credit over at powermax.com, and they have a selection of lighting available here: http://www.powermax.com/cats/sub/pdv_lighting
Thanks in advance!
0
Comments
1. Big question Budget?
2. Photographic types or style: portraits? events?
3. Video type? events? Short films?
One thing to consider is power. Anytime you take a continuous light with you, you'll need a power supply.
There are myriad ways to solve your lighting needs.
Answering those questions will facilitate better answers from everyone.
Cheers,
Well, as cheap as possible really. I'd need to know my options before saying "yes I can buy that", or "no I can't buy that".
Portrait photography mostly, but some event stuff too, and probably the same applies for video; creating short films here and there, and also shooting for venues and other jobs.
Are power suppies not included with lighting equipment? Do they not charge on a battery?
Thanks.
Cheap (relatively) source of light.
Suitable for Still Photography.
Suitable for Videography.
Battery operated and portable.
Choose any 2.
My above answer was tongue in cheek. (Not to be taken seriously.)
Answer coming here shortly.
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If you're doing portrait photography though, one speed light with a modifier or two will take you a long way. (Especially if the modifier is a reflector... then you essentially always have three available lights in the day. The sun, your OCF, and your reflector...). I started with one SB600 and now wish I had half a dozen. (I only have two and am looking for a third)
Check out the Strobist for a great blog with lighting exercises that should help you to really decide the direction you want to head with the lighting part of your endeavor.
-Wally
Hi! I'm Wally: website | blog | facebook | IG | scotchNsniff
Nikon addict. D610, Tok 11-16, Sig 24-35, Nik 24-70/70-200vr
Portability complicates some issues while it solves other issues.
Cheap is relative, but a good solution for all of your situations will probably not be terribly cheap.
Wally is giving good advice. I suggest deciding which of your activities and situations you want to cover first and then approaching solutions to those specific needs. I agree that with still photography, small, battery powered speedlights/speedlites can be an excellent solution in portability that can also be used for studio applications. By the time you add up the several flashes, brackets, stands, modifiers and additional acessories to complete the system, it won't be cheap, but it will be versatile. Like Wally says, you can start pretty simply and add as you go.
Eventually, nothing beats some good monolights for the studio situations. While you can get battery powered versions of the monolights, they won't allow using the modeling lights on the battery power, at least not for very long. Monolights are potentially as much or more in cost than compared to very good speedlights/speedlites, but the ability to run off of mains power for rapid recycling is wonderful as is the ability to attach many light modifiers directly to the monolights without extra brackets (like you have to use with the speedlights/speedlites).
Video lighting is more complicated. Continuous run light sources that are close to daylight can be expensive, especially if you want accurate colors. Cheap continuous run light sources, like the compact fluorescent (CF) "daylight" bulbs, may not provide enough color accuracy for high-quality work like with flesh tones. (I don't like CF light myself, except for non-people scenes that don't require color accuracy.)
Continuous run LCD light sources exist, and they can be a useful compromise for social event videography. They are mostly battery powered and very portable. In stronger light they can be handy as fill light.
Other potential inexpensive video lights include tungsten-halogen work lights. They are hot and use large amounts of electricity, but if you need to light large spaces it's still the cheapest method. AC mains power only. (I use Lowel "Tota-Lights" myself, for those occasions.) They are not daylight balanced, but the spectrum is continuous and once you white balance, color is acceptable for indoors.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Read the below quote. It is probably the best advice I have read in a while. I put BOLD-Italics on the part that is uber pertinent, though the entire quote is golden. I think one of the best other quotes that Ziggy53 posted recently was telling someone they could even pull a mirror off a wall and use it to learn about reflecting light. ( hope that was you Ziggy!) Anyway: Light; it's what hits your sensor!
There are cheap alternatives, in fact zero cost ones, such as using the available light, and we have many people in this forum that appear to be masters of that effect. Be very careful spending your hard earned cash especially if you're on a budget that doesn't have four places to the left of the decimal. You can spend that kind of money and still not have what you truly need.
I've come to terms that continuous lighting is definitely more ideal for me. Of course I'm shooting video, which again, eliminates flash.
I was looking at profoto gear, and was shocked at how expensive it was!
You mentioned Lowel, Ziggy, are there any other brands that are in the same category as them? I would ideally like to get more than 1 light, and get more bang for my buck, and possibly a "package" deal that companies offer.
If I were to purchase things separately, I trust that a couple stands, mixed with a couple softboxes/umbrellas would be ideal?
Is there anything wrong with something like this? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/442910-REG/Smith_Victor_408085_Economy_Softbox_1_Light.html or this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/699025-REG/Impact_OCTACOOL_6_Octacool_6_Fluorescent_Kit_with.html
And lastly, I came across this http://www.lighting4studios.com/shop/page/19?shop_param=
Although, after listening to a podcast of a couple of know-it-alls that explained that a lot of 'off-brand' items that often sell on ebay, are pure junk.
My biggest worry is probably color tones at this point. I have several HUGE windows with lots of available light source in sunny LA, and then I have lots of dimmable lighting in my apartment that run on tracks, but they are yellow in tone. I'm certain I know the answer, but mixing those lights with ones that I would purchase is an absolute no, correct?
Thanks!
A lot of video folks like and support the folks at COOL LIGHTS And a few that like DIY buy the parts and make up lighting rigs for themselves. Cool lights also sells parts for DIY.
I use some CFL's and I like them. I like them of course because they're cheap and I can buy a lot of wattage for cheap and they run cool, which in the middle of the Summer with more than a few folks in one room, can really help. I don't use the 'normal' type fluorescent's, even though they are popular because it'd take literally a bank of ten to equal one of my soft-boxes with CFL.
You were asking about mixing lighting, in your pad in LA with track lighting. If the light from outdoors is powerful enough and you adjust accordingly, those track lights might never influence the shot, even if they were on. Of course you can turn them off too. Mixing light is typically a no-no, but it can be done to good effect if you know what you're after.
A lot of video folks use lighting of different styles for different applications. Seems a bunch use tungsten in all sorts of varieties from Fresnels to Par-cans to Soft-boxed lamps. And sometimes they use mixed lighting in a scene, but again it is to-effect, purposeful and well thought out.
The very next best thing to Natural light is Hot-Shoe flashes. they're just too easy to carry with you and the effects you can get and create with them, (with two or three) is amazing. 3 Flashes with batteries (extra batteries too), gels, and small fold-able modifiers will comfortably fit in a briefcase...Now thats portability! You may think you don't want portability until you realize you're going to do some simple Park-portrait Shots and find, woops, no power and woops, I have to lug all this gear.
Please look over in our people forum at a thread there called "Pull-Backs". you might find what you're looking for!
Gosh I'm in such a pickle now.
Yes I looked at the Cool lights before you mentioned them and forgot to bring them up, I just wasn't sure.
The pull-back thread gave me a lot of insight, thank yo so much!
But here is something I'm tackling now.
I spoke to my friend a little more, and he was telling that he rarely uses lighting for video, and I thought to myself, and realized that I probably am jumping the gun in saying that video lighting is a priority for me. You see, the only reason video lighting came to my attention was because I recently got asked to do a video shoot within my apartment for someone, and he asked if I had lighting. Of course it would enhance the shoot, but I think with the available lighting I have, it's not needed. And then looking beyond that video shoot, I don't think I would have many more, if any more video shoots in my apartment. The only thing I could think of, would be to produce youtube type videos which basically involve myself under the camera.
So I've come to terms with the fact that I am probably better off, buying some solid lights in order for me to pursue in photography. I'm now back on the ship to find if it is more convenient for me to use flash, or continuous. I've read a little, and I'm doing my research, but so far I've read that:
Continuous is more hot, thus more uncomfortable for the model/subject
Tend to be more dim
And flash is not good for shooting animals/babies (I don't think I ever will, anyway!)
more complex?
One more thing I would like to add,
I think I'm getting the misunderstanding a little bit.
Lets say I were to buy 1 alien bees flash unit. I wouldn't need to buy multiple right? I'm left with purchasing a beauty dish and a pocket wizard?
Like I said, I've viewed the thread where you get an idea for what goes on behind the scenes, but I think I've misunderstood that I would need like 3 of one light, ie; 3 alien bee flash units.
1. The natural light situation can be dealt with many ways. one is this from Lowes home improvement warehouse. On the other side of this is a Mylar Sheathing and it will reflect so very well. I have some of these and I think I saw them in the pull backs too, split 60/40 so they would stand better/easier.
2. A plain everyday ordinary white Sheet on the floor or hung up if needed.
3. WHite panel board with Cardboard on backside is cheap: <$12 per sheet and it is glossy white on the other side.
So very many ways to reflect light. True you won't get to modify and shape it with these very well, but first you have to start with getting light reflected.
I think your other question about Alien Bees is kinda like what Wally was saying earlier. Start with one and go from there. I do think if you're going to get creative it is best to have at least three, but you certainly don't have to begin with three.
On another note there are just as many ways to trigger those AB's as there are to Modify them.
If you have an on-cam flash or just a flash added to your camera, it will trigger those AB's when it flashes, meaning: you already have a trigger for the AB's at your finger tips. And then of course AB sells some triggers, you already know or are aware of the Flex triggers and lots of folks have all sorts of Chinese built triggers they use to good effect. The AB's and that type of light is good because they have modleing lights which show you where the light/shadows are going to fall. SOme folks find this really helps. I can't yet speak for Canon, but Nikon uses their DOF preview button when their Hotshoe flashes are all dressed-up in their CLS (creative lighting system) mode. WHen you press the DOF button, it strobes those flashes and lets you see once again where the light and Shadows will fall. I found that very nice for checking that my flashes were actually working, triggering and ready to go, besides the lighting configuration.
As far as Continuous versus Flash and Photography only, I cannot think of any reason to prefer Continuous to Flash. Heck some of those continuous lights have bulbs that only have expected life spans of several hours.
Key and Fill light is pretty much the minimum for true "lighting control" but Rim/Hair light(s), Background lights and a Catch light are all common.
Here is a good lighting primer (you don't have to use their stuff):
http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/Lighting_Lessons/index.html
I also recommend looking at these videos:
http://youtu.be/uH84-pA7p-c
http://youtu.be/gL8mhBtIAco
http://youtu.be/wMQeBVCJzoE
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
http://vimeo.com/2211772
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Over the last couple days, I've been wrecking my brain over speedlites...as I don't want to go overboard on price (gosh, they are expensive!)
I came across the yongnuo ttl speedlite yn-565ex, not sure if you are familiar with it, but it is quite comparable to the 580x II, but at under half the price.
I've noticed that it does not have high speed sync, which I'm still on lose terms with...and some problems with connectivity to pocket wizards and the alike.
Another alternative is the 430EX II which is slighty more expensive, but has the HSS.
I'm planning on buying the below bracket, and I assume that any off shoe flash cord will do?
http://www.custombrackets.com/cb-mini-rc.html
I think I have my future lighting setup nearly pictured...1 AB unit for now, and a couple of speedlites, starting with just 1 for the time being...coupled with a beauty dish/umbrella/softbox - which ever I feel the need to purchase first.
Thanks in advance!
I have had very good luck with Sigma DG Super flashes. I own 4 - Sigma DG Super flashes and 1 Canon 580EX flash. While the user interface is quite different between the 2 manufacturers, they are both Canon wireless E-TTL compatible with each other and the Sigma units are also accurate and repeatable. I use the Sigma units in professional bam-bam-bam shooting and they have held up nicely.
The current model is the the Sigma EF-610 DG Super and at just over 1/2 the cost of the Canon 580EX it gives you the majority of features and power.
http://www.adorama.com/SG610EOS.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741717-REG/Sigma_189101_EF610_DG_Super_Flash.html
The Canon 580EX is better build quality, has a better user interface and has the ability to use an external high-voltage power supply, which is why I have one. The Sigma DG Super flashes are sufficient build quality and the user interface is quite usable, which is why I have 4 of them.
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For a little bit more, I could get the 430ex ii
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Speedlite-II-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001CCAISE
I know I can not control other flashes with this, but seeing as it's going to be my first flash, I can purchase the 580 in the future, and then use that to control everything.
I can even use my onboard flash (as I shoot with 7d) to control the slaves...but is there a way to just use the control aspect, without actually using the on-board flash itself? And would there be a benefit to that? I've never seen nor heard good things about an on board flash.
The built-in flash on a camera is OK for fill light. Just make sure not to use use it for the key light, unless you want a "snapshot" effect.
I'm not sure about turning off the built-in flash contribution on the Canon 7D. Maybe someone else will chime in.
Yes, I would recommend a Canon 430EX II over a Yongnuo flash. I would, however, make a case for the feature set of the Sigma EF-610 DG Super over the Canon 430EX II. I guess I could go either way on that decision.
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