DIY help portable lighting
- Thread starter boulder
- Start date
pveal
Well-known member
are you driving to the location and if so will your car be close to the location? I once shot in a wood where the location was just off the track, put the headlights on full beam with a little diffusion with the vehicle aimed at the area i was shooting. Ok so it's not pretty light but it's strong (kind of Parcan-ish)and later you can adjust the colour to blue and when shooting set your WB to lowest Kelvin temp.
Jordan Scott Price
Veteran
Well, I'm sure there is probably a reasonably cheap light that could act as a half-decent fill, but your problem will be power no matter what.
I had to shoot in the woods off a trail last fall. We (illegally) parked my Chevy Blazer in the woods about 70 feet from the shooting spot and ran stingers from the light to the AC inverter connected directly to the car's battery. We had to put the distance between us and the car because the car has to stay running or it will drain the battery. That inverter was maxed at 400 watts and cost $90 from Best Buy. 1000-watt inverters cost up to $300.
I wish I had more than that to help. Hopefully others with a lot more experience will have some pro tips.
I had to shoot in the woods off a trail last fall. We (illegally) parked my Chevy Blazer in the woods about 70 feet from the shooting spot and ran stingers from the light to the AC inverter connected directly to the car's battery. We had to put the distance between us and the car because the car has to stay running or it will drain the battery. That inverter was maxed at 400 watts and cost $90 from Best Buy. 1000-watt inverters cost up to $300.
I wish I had more than that to help. Hopefully others with a lot more experience will have some pro tips.
Paul Hudson
Vacuum Tube Member
It may appear dark but the 7D you are shooting is very light sensitive, but you do need a fast lens. To your question; your best bet is reflection. Home Depot sales many good reflector sources. For the cheapest look at their insulation board. They have some beadboard that is white and some that have a silver surface on one side.
You should be able to get 2 4X8 sheets for less than $50. I would cut the down to 4X4 and possibly make some smaller pieces with the other half.
You should be able to get 2 4X8 sheets for less than $50. I would cut the down to 4X4 and possibly make some smaller pieces with the other half.
Thanks, I've got good reflectors and am planning on using them. Using the Nikon 50mm 1.4. My concern is blowing out the sky. I'm suspecting I just need a wee bit of fill on faces and was hoping that someone knew of a cheap battery powered light that might do the trick.
Maybe I'm just overly concerned.
Maybe I'm just overly concerned.