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11/13/2013 06:32:03 PM · #1 |
as a warning, i'm a bit of a noob, but i'll explain this as best as i can...
i mainly shoot close ups of faces as well as record videos which shoot from the shoulders up.
i've tried to create my own lighting, but it really isn't working out; it's just too dark. i shoot in a small bedroom with only one light source (the window). because i do both videography and photography, i need studio lights that stay on continuously.
being able to assemble/dissemble the lights quickly really isn't an issue for me since i'll keep them in this bedroom 24/7, no plans to use them outside or anything.
i'm on a strict budget, $300 max, and am looking for any studio lights that would fit that budget without being awful. someone recommended me something from cowboy studios, but from the reviews i read, they don't light subjects very well. i do beauty videos, so I need the people in my videos/photos to look...well, good lol.
what would you recommend? thanks. |
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11/13/2013 06:51:36 PM · #2 |
I've never tried them, but the huge CFL setups are fairly reasonable.
425 Watt equivalent CFL |
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11/13/2013 07:22:25 PM · #3 |
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11/13/2013 07:36:32 PM · #4 |
Hello and welcomes to DPC!
Do you have any examples of what you have done? That may help some with recommendations.
And also if you mentioned what equipment you do have today (for instance, you mentioned you tried to create your own lighting, what did you try?).
I don't shoot video, so I don't have any recommendations, but I think the above may help others. |
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11/13/2013 07:53:11 PM · #5 |
I am a big fan of halogen work lights. Since I do building construction I already own them but they are the lowest price per lumen you can buy, and useful around the house to boot.
They are often used in an overpowering manner full on, but if you feather the edge of the light they can make nice soft feature light, or pull them back to create even fill that you can accent wirh a lower power feature light close in. Ill put up some examples when I get home.
Even though you are shooting close, you do not need to have you illumination close. A big light far away has a different softer character but the same brightness as a small lamp in close.
 Halogen left, flash right. Halogen above left, window right With a big umbrella in front of it.
The halogens do heat up, in fact they can be a pain to move because they become so hot, but I usually shoot in fairly cool places (like the basement) and they do not really bother a model 6 feet away. The heat dissipates much faster than a Fresnel Lenses that focus the light on the subject. And if you want less light, simply move the lamp back a bit where the inverse square law is your friend. Of course it in not professional looking and you need enough space to be able to have the light be the right distance form your subject to have the brightness you want. There are more elegant solutions, but I can approximate any light setup I have ever wanted to fake from folks using the big boy toys with a bit of work, and on the cheap.
Message edited by author 2013-11-13 21:16:40. |
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11/13/2013 08:12:29 PM · #6 |
Several things you'll want to keep in mind when searching.
Continuous light can get very hot, especially up close. LEDs are the way to go but are likely more expensive than you want. So you'll have to factor in ease of turning on and off, unless you want to cook your models (and melt their makeup!).
You'll want lights you can modify somehow (umbrellas, soft boxes, grids, etc.).
You'll want to be able to control brightness, so they should have some sort of power adjustment |
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11/13/2013 09:33:03 PM · #7 |
| I have some sets of StrobeLite (name brand) they are not very expensive, and you can get 1- what ever in the amount of lights you want. I've lit a full sized (stuffed) deer on a stand 6 foot in the air, and in a LARGE room, with two lights... My friend has some real expensive lights and well, He borrows me and my light a LOT when he does a location shot! they are totally portable and ez to break down and carry in their own little black bag. Funny thing I was at a fashion show one day and the PRO photographer was snapping the models on a platform as they came off stage, he was using one strobelite and a reflector. |
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11/14/2013 06:41:11 AM · #8 |
How about a couple of these
LED lights |
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06/25/2014 08:50:01 AM · #9 |
I liked the video and LED light....Good video.I liked how it captured the footage and enlightened it completely....
Watch out for you tube video.....
watch?v=9vjJLAHUBI0 |
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06/30/2014 01:24:26 AM · #10 |
LED lights are best. I m having Arri LED lights.
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