Coolights in use

Here's a GS500 framegrab lighted with a Coollight fixture after denoising and deinterlacing. As you can see, the skin tone is perfect.
 

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Hi jzucker,

Couple of questions if you don't mind:

1) How many of the CL-655's were you using?
2) How many banks in each unit were lit up?
3) How far away from the subject were they placed?
4) How large was the room and were there any practicals or other lights supplementing your shots?

Just guessing but from the reflections in the glasses, it looks like two units were lit up and placed maybe 10 or so feet back.

As far as feedback, and I'm assuming you mean visually, I find the shots fairly flat and two-dimensional. IMHO, and I realize it's probably an instructional video, but some rim lighting and perhaps some cuculoris on the background would really add some dimension and make it more visually interesting.

Cheers,
 
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Leo Versola said:
Hi jzucker,

Couple of questions if you don't mind:

1) How many of the CL-655's were you using?
2) How many banks in each unit were lit up?
3) How far away from the subject were they placed?
4) How large was the room and were there any practicals or other lights supplementing your shots?

Just guessing but from the reflections in the glasses, it looks like two units were lit up and placed maybe 10 or so feet back.

As far as feedback, and I'm assuming you mean visually, I find the shots fairly flat and two-dimensional. IMHO, and I realize it's probably an instructional video, but some rim lighting and perhaps some cuculoris on the background would really add some dimension and make it more visually interesting.

Cheers,
Click to expand...

Yes he will have that. He pre-ordered something else that will help with that immensely. The one thing he doesn't have yet which he ordered was a CL-MF0150 CDM 150w fresnel. That will do wonders for his background or using it for rim lighting to help him pop out a bit more. Should be shipping next week to all those that already ordered them.
 
seunosewa said:
Here's a GS500 framegrab lighted with a Coollight fixture after denoising and deinterlacing. As you can see, the skin tone is perfect.
Click to expand...

Well we finally get to see the great Seun Osewa. I guess everything made it to Africa okay then from what I can see! Hehe. Our first African customer and with two of our largest fixtures too.
 
The video looks good Mr. Zucker, but if you want my opinion anyway... then get yourself some flags... and position your flos behind them, but close... and cut a shadow through the top of your head (roughly) so that the light falls off in the BG but still effectively lights your face and the guitar. I would also have one flo high... probably the cam-left flo... since you mostly look to your left, revealing the right side of your face... and then put the other flo about 2' lower... so that the bulk of it is primarily on the guitar and the finger action. This will help to layer your shot in an interesting way.

I think you will be happy with the result... and there's no reason why your videos can't be well lit for an educational demonstration, but also layered through levels of light which will put you forward as the primary focus... rather then sharing screen real estate with the "stormy gray" BG.

Looks good and sounds good though... and I admire your playing. I'm jealous :-)
 
Thanks everyone. Not familiar with flags. Are they just some type of white transluscent nylon or panels to diffuse the light? It's ironic that I have softboxes and umbrellas for my studio flash units but nothing for the flo-lights.
 
Well, flos are soft to begin with; generally no need to add a softbox to them. An eggcrate will help you control the spill somewhat and flags can also be used to provide very specific control over the light flow. Flags are simply fabrics that can be hung in various places and can be translucent or opaque depending on what you're trying to accomplish (diffusion vs spill). The way Matt was suggesting you use them is to place an opaque one in front of the flo and cut a specific pattern to very carefully and specifically control the output and throw of the flo to 'pull' you out of the background and create more dimension.

When you get your fresnels from Richard, experiment with different lighting setups to get something that just lifts your subject away from the background and creates something as visually compelling and interesting as it already does aurally.

Cheers and have fun...
 
what great advice given so far.
i am a novice to lighting. indeed when i first checked out the example pic, my first response was 'yeah thats really good'. however, after reading about flags, flos, cucoloris, rim-lighting and eggcrates, it becomes possible to see the extra possibilities. very illuminating.

indeed, the very idea of 'lifting the subject away from the background' is pure gold, and yet seemingly so simple it almost seems unnecessary to say.. except that novice's like myself greatly benefit from such explanations.

and the phrase.. "layered through levels of light" is sheer poetry, cheers for that, MattinSTL.

having worked with animation and footage over 8 years, creating video content for events, it is only now that i have begun to understand the related craft of lighting. many thanks.
 
vj_jasper said:
what great advice given so far.
i am a novice to lighting. indeed when i first checked out the example pic, my first response was 'yeah thats really good'. however, after reading about flags, flos, cucoloris, rim-lighting and eggcrates, it becomes possible to see the extra possibilities. very illuminating.

indeed, the very idea of 'lifting the subject away from the background' is pure gold, and yet seemingly so simple it almost seems unnecessary to say.. except that novice's like myself greatly benefit from such explanations.

and the phrase.. "layered through levels of light" is sheer poetry, cheers for that, MattinSTL.

having worked with animation and footage over 8 years, creating video content for events, it is only now that i have begun to understand the related craft of lighting. many thanks.
Click to expand...

I love your enthusiasm. Welcome to the world of lighting.

Note: I am still learning a lot about lighting also. I don't mean to say "welcome" like I am an expert.
 
Here's the deal with flos... they have tons of SPILL... it's hard to manage spill from flos since the light envelops everything in it's path. That's why it's a good idea to get a couple flags or find some other way to intercept the "fog" of light that comes from a flo.

Even with Diva 200 and 400 the giant barndoors don't really do that much... nothing like a flag will do anyway. As long as you aren't getting a FLARE across the lens then there's no need to worry about the spill that is coming back towards the camera... only the spill that's venturing off into every nook and cranny of the visible (through the cam) set.

This is why I say to put a flag almost alongside each of the flos that you're using... so that the light is trying to sneak around the flag to illuminate you. This is what gives you edge-control of the flo-spill.

You could accomplish this with a simple piece of flat-black poster board if you have the means to hold it in position... then later on you can get proper flags.

Lighting is a lot like sound... the "support gear" is what gets you professional results, but it's perceived as low-value in comparison to the lights themselves... and therefore people avoid these purchases. Just like with microphones they avoid shockmounts, boompoles, and proper windscreens.

I almost feel like I'm giving away trade secrets here... just because most people buy an Arri kit and think they can light anything.

Flos can do a lot more then they get credit for... and hey thanks for the kind words on Christmas... it's been a pretty lackluster holiday for me and this place can be a breath of fresh air... when people like you are on here I start posting more helpful video and pictures, because I feel my time is appreciated.
 
You have some major talent on the guitar, my friend.

To make your video look a little more professional and hold the interest of the viewer I think you need to create a little depth. Step away from the back drop. This way, if you position the flo about 2 feet above your head the shadows will fall below the frame line while allowing the b/g to drop off a couple stops in intensity. Now you won't be lit at the same level as the backdrop.

Also, the framing is a bit awkward on the upper right panel. I'm distracted by seeing a partial shot of your face. Like your picking you want everything to be clean. Always draw the eye to where you want the audience to look.

Work to isolate the position on the neck where your playing will be, remember the camera doesn't always need to be dead on, in fact, rarely is that the strongest choice.

If you manage to get a back-light for separation, don't be afraid to alter the color temp. Just putting the unit on a dimmer and lowering it about 20% will warm it up.

But, really, not bad at all. We're just perfectionists and want to see you grow. Just like you want to help your students.

Best of luck, keep us posted.
 
Regarding the Eric Johnson piece:

You cleaned the framing up a bit but the reflection of the unit on the body of the guitar is way too distracting. Simple solution: Move the unit camera right.

Also regarding editing with frames: What I said about keeping everything clean applies. Those frames need to be PERFECT to look professional and I'd advise you to look around on YouTube at some of the classic guitar instructional videos to sample some more appealing box shapes.

Not a dig at you, I think you're doing great, just want to see you get that last little bit just right.

Please post a follow up if you re-shoot.

Keep it up,
 
One thing I mentioned to Jack as well was that he might move the mic closer to him, either just above his head out of frame or with a lavalier on the collar. I thought I detected a bit of room noise and a closer mic will cure that. Otherwise, you got some great comments here. No need for extra diffusion as MattinSTL pointed out. One other thing besides flags that can help would be eggcrate attachments which are coming soon. Those do wonders for controlling side spill.
 
wow! Fantastic advice from everyone and I greatly appreciate it! Richard, put me on the list for the eggcrates. I'll take two as soon as they are available.

I'll re-shoot a few things in a day or two and try to get some improvements going.
 
Well it doesn't hurt to have some test foortage anyway and soliciting feedback from a "focus group" of sorts like you have here is a benefit that some don't get when producing a video so taking all this constructive criticism really will make your product all the better for it.
 
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