Basic lighting controls for an indie kit

L

lutnik

Well-known member
What lighting controls (diffusers, reflectors, umbrellas, etc) for bouncing, diffusing and blocking the light are deemed to be essential in a basic indie kit? What's the relation between the power/type/size of the lights and the size of the light controls? I understand those are just as important as the lights themselves.

I have a basic Lowel kit consisting of 1 Omni, 1 Tota and 2 VIP with stands.
I shoot mostly interiors as a solo or with a one man crew, so those are small, convenient and easy to carry. I usually get whatever available on the spot for controling and directing light, but now I feel I should buy some professional equiment to complement my kit. BTW, any thought about Lastolite products?

Lutnik
 
I've found that having some gels goes a long way. Some basic tough spun, CTB, CTO, and maybe some softer diffusion like frost or something like that. Also, having blackwrap can go a long way to help control your light, and of course some C47's to hold it all on.

On top of that, a reflector with a metallic surface and white surface is very useful. You can buy that foamcore insulating stuff from Home Depot and wrap the edges with gaffers tape to reinforce it. Having some silks with frames can be very helpful. Also, some C-stands and other grip material will help position everything.
 
Have some black wrap as well. It's like tin-foil coated with a matte black heat resistant coating. Works really well for making custom light shaping shapes on top of your barn doors. Can also be used for things such as makeshift monitor hoods and flags for your lense shade. Gaff tape is a must. Also some thick black cloth, such as Duvetyne works well for blacking out windows or to use as a backdrop. It's fire retardent too, which is important when working with hot lights. Having a couple sheets of foam core helps out too. They make nice reflectors. Sometimes you can find stuff with a gold side on it, which can give a nice warm reflection. You can also finde stuff that is black on both sides, which works well for flagging off light. Also have some good quality heavy duty extension cords around. Some of those silver bowl clamp lights are handy as well. I put daylight balanced flouros in mine.
 
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For your lights, a pair of umbrella's would go a long way. I suggest you buy AT LEAST ONE with a black fabric backing. The black side would face the camera, and prevent any extra light from hitting your lens. Fabric choice of the interior of the umbrella, is often over looked. White, dull silver, shiny silver,gold, ect. The umbrella offers a nice "wrap" light for peoples faces, even lighting on products, and are nice 'n' soft. This helps to hide the little flaws that mother nature gives us when we get older.
Some umbrellas, offer removeable fabric choices, and although I think they are unique, they usually fall apart with a few uses. The Bigger the umbrella, the softer the light, the less distance covered. Silver umbrellas, will give slightly more contrast and more specularity than an all white one. Gold umbrellas give a nice tan look , and are preferred when video taping /photographing people with darker skin.
 
In addition to the umbrellas, you should order,if you don't have them already, 2 or 3 of the lowel, gel frames. Omni's and Totas get very hot as you well know. The gel/filter frame brings the gel or diffusion out and away from these hot fixtures, so they don't melt.
Go to a video rental equipment company, and ask if they have any scrap gel or diffusion. Many times after the grip truck comes back from a shoot, there are some small pieces left over. They might let you buy some by the piece as well. I think you need pieces that are either 10"x 10" or 12" x 12" . 12" x12" would be better.
These filter frames come with clips to hold on to gel.
You should also get some colored gels and especially 1/2 and full CTB
(Color temperature Blue) gels. Use these to match daylight, if your shoot looks best outdoors, or near a window. But keep in mind, the CTB cuts down on your lights output considerably. Add a couple of 1k dimmers, a couple of Mafor clamps(aka Bogen super clamps)--get them with a pin so you can put a light on one in a tight spot). Also remember, that if you dim your lights, the color temp will also warm up, as the bulb's brightness goes down. Two kinds of diffusion you should also have are called Opal and 216. Your rental house should have these, or go to ROSCO's website.
 
OK guys, tks everybody for the great hints.
That's a bagfull of suggestions to work on and a long shopping list as well.

Lutnik
 
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