Video Lights for Wedding photography

06/25/2008 06:58:02 AM · #1

Does anyone use a video light for creative wedding photography?

I've been on a couple of training course and workshops for weddings recently as I have my first ones coming up soon and they all used them. I've read a couple of books on wedding photography and they use them too.

The images created with them were very interesting and creative so I'm looking to get one to test out before the weddings and if i'm confident i'll pack it in the kit bag to use on the day.

So... Which one! I'm looking at the Pag Light C6 as it's reasonably priced at Â£175 but i'm wondering if there are better options and what people are using successfully.

Any advice on either brands or use of them would be great

Thanks

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

06/25/2008 08:19:03 AM · #2

Sorry, no advice to offer on which to get. But I just thought I'd explain (for other's benefit) a little more why you might want a video light in the first place:

Video lights, which are tungsten, have a yellow cast. If you use them instead of flash indoors it makes it a lot easier to "white balance" the subjects because both the subject and the rest of the room are close to the same white balance. The downside is that video lights don't put out nearly as much power as flash, so it's harder to stop motion. So don't. Plan on upping the ISO and/or purposely catching motion blur for creative effect.

Lighting your subjects outside, and setting your white balance to tungsten, can cause the sky to go a beautiful deep blue color while keeping the subjects looking good. So this is another very creative option to try.

I wouldn't use it for everything ... but having a video light can certainly add to your creativity.

Message edited by author 2008-06-25 08:19:13.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

06/25/2008 09:26:43 AM · #3

Yes, sorry I should have added some info but then your description is far more practical then mine would have been :0)

Another thing (probably the main thing) I like about the video light is that you can create a spot light which allows for some more artistic setups.

I may add some photo's from the workshop if I get round to converting the RAW's

JerseyGenie

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

06/25/2008 12:02:58 PM · #4

I know absolutely nothing about wedding photography, but just got this link in one of the subscriptions (CreativePro) I receive and thought it might be informative to someone (maybe).
Wedding Photography

Message edited by author 2008-06-25 12:03:30.

06/26/2008 10:38:17 AM · #5

Ok, maybe a couple of pictures will help :0)

Message edited by author 2008-06-26 10:38:34.

gloda

06/26/2008 12:00:47 PM · #6

Wouldn't it make more sense to just gel a normal flash with a full CTO?

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

06/26/2008 01:38:36 PM · #7

Rent a Mole....or

or build a flash....

or get one of these...

or even one of these....

The point is, decide what look you want.

From there, you should be able to figure out the appropriate light source.

If a video light that has a throw like your example illustrates is what you want, then you have gone though your first step of 'envisioning'.

Now, just follow through.

Message edited by author 2008-06-26 13:39:18.