Cheap light kit?

I have followed a lot of threads about lighting and cheap lighting kits and so far I am pretty confused. I usually see most people talk about buying lights for interview settings but I rarely see them discussing the type of lighting used for narrative work. Three point lighting is lovely and I see how I can be really useful as a guideline but most of the situations I've run into are far too complex for simple three point lighting. As of now I've been shooting mostly with what I have (and it's not much). I have grown sick and tired of struggling with work lights (too bright, difficult to correct, too much spill) and lamps and I was looking into slowly building up a rig I could be proud of. What I am mainly trying to light are interiors, rarely larger than a garage, and the occational night scene (never too complex). I was wondering if anyone could recommend options for this kind of environment that won't completely break the bank. I would rather not hear just... moles... fresnels... etc. It would be good to have more information such as how much wattage is too much wattage and what kind of bulbs to use (along with their colors). I think this is an important resource for about 90% of the people who are starting up and have very little idea what they are doing when it comes to lighting (and thus student amateur films look like they were shot in a basement).
 
Qzar said:
I have followed a lot of threads about lighting and cheap lighting kits and so far I am pretty confused. I usually see most people talk about buying lights for interview settings but I rarely see them discussing the type of lighting used for narrative work. Three point lighting is lovely and I see how I can be really useful as a guideline but most of the situations I've run into are far too complex for simple three point lighting. As of now I've been shooting mostly with what I have (and it's not much). I have grown sick and tired of struggling with work lights (too bright, difficult to correct, too much spill) and lamps and I was looking into slowly building up a rig I could be proud of. What I am mainly trying to light are interiors, rarely larger than a garage, and the occational night scene (never too complex). I was wondering if anyone could recommend options for this kind of environment that won't completely break the bank. I would rather not hear just... moles... fresnels... etc. It would be good to have more information such as how much wattage is too much wattage and what kind of bulbs to use (along with their colors). I think this is an important resource for about 90% of the people who are starting up and have very little idea what they are doing when it comes to lighting (and thus student amateur films look like they were shot in a basement).
Click to expand...

You're right in that 3-point lighting normally doesn't cover lighting a narrative scene alone, though a lot of that application can and will apply. The reality is that it's difficult to have the mix of tools you need to light a scene and not completely "break the bank" (unless you maybe rent). Every situation is different and generally you'll carry a mix of lamps and tools to get the job done (especially if you haven't scouted ahead of time).

There also isn't really such a thing as too much wattage - other than the limitations of your location - house power vs generator vs tie-in. Every scene, situation, blocking, location, etc require something different. Again variety is important.

With all that said when I started to buy gear my first major purchase was grip gear not lights. Placement of the light and then controlling that light was the most important thing in my opinion. I made due with photofloods and whatever made light, but was able to control that because I bought flags, nets, diffusion frames, c-stands and rigging hardware to make it work. Your dollar also goes a lot further buying grip gear I find.

Hope that somewhat helps and gives a different view.
 
Thanks Guy...that's a great link. Im considering my first lighting package and I might go with the dv set 1...
 
Qzar said:
I have followed a lot of threads about lighting and cheap lighting kits and so far I am pretty confused. I usually see most people talk about buying lights for interview settings but I rarely see them discussing the type of lighting used for narrative work. Three point lighting is lovely and I see how I can be really useful as a guideline but most of the situations I've run into are far too complex for simple three point lighting. As of now I've been shooting mostly with what I have (and it's not much). I have grown sick and tired of struggling with work lights (too bright, difficult to correct, too much spill) and lamps and I was looking into slowly building up a rig I could be proud of. What I am mainly trying to light are interiors, rarely larger than a garage, and the occational night scene (never too complex). I was wondering if anyone could recommend options for this kind of environment that won't completely break the bank. I would rather not hear just... moles... fresnels... etc. It would be good to have more information such as how much wattage is too much wattage and what kind of bulbs to use (along with their colors). I think this is an important resource for about 90% of the people who are starting up and have very little idea what they are doing when it comes to lighting (and thus student amateur films look like they were shot in a basement).
Click to expand...

What you want is knowing more about the art and craft of motion picture lighting?
Well, a thread can´t cover this, buy some books or DVDs on lighting, watch movies and DVD extras.
But best of all, try to work in the industry.
Visit a narrativ set, see how the gaffer and the DP do the lighting, talk to them (if there is time...!) and take notes...

A three-point-lighting kit will be a lot in the hands of an experienced DP (he may curse for not having his usual light´n grip truck at hand, but he will know what he can do with it and what not...)

So sometimes your Chimera from your interview kit will be the only extra light you´ll use in a narrative scene, sometimes you would be in need of an extra 6K in lighting power - there are no fixed guidelines for lighting as for filming as for editing as for living a good life...

And the more you´ll learn about lighting the more you´ll get bcheong´s point...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top