Help with lighting interviews using flo/led

R

redCashion

Member
Hi,

I'd like some recommendations on what type of lights to get to shoot interviews. I'd rather use a fluorescent or LED type lamp because I hate the thought of using really hot lights. Basically all I know about lighting is what is shown on this DV Gear video:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid275887224?bclid=184432313&bctid=203709670


I believe all I need is a key light and a back light, and a reflector to fill in the key light. And I'd like to keep it at or below 1k..

Any suggestions?

Thanks..
 
Check out the fluorescent kits available at http://www.skaeser.com/. I purchased a 3000 watt (although it only consumes about 900 watts of power) kit for $795 (includes 3 large softbox lights, 2 floods, 5 stands, 20 fluorescent bulbs, and a rolling case) and have been very happy with it. The light quality s great and you'll probably never blow a circuit or overheat a room while using it.
 
I've started using zylights for quick interviews where setup time is minimal. I can have two set on stands in less than ten minutes. Its not the best lighting in the world but it looks pretty darn good. Fantastic lights and they pack up small, but the cost hurts a little bit... I use them as key and edge light.
 
What about using the 500 LED Flo light as a key + one of the coollights as a back light (not sure which one) and a reflector? Is this a suitable kit?
 
Yes that will work for some things but often times you want a hard light like a fresnel on the background to use with a gel or cucaloris ("cookie" to project a pattern on the wall like window shutters or some abstract pattern). You would want something like the CL-455P or CL-255P but you'll more likely want to use that as a key and the LEDs for a hairlight or back/rim accent lighting.

A flo doesn't excel at that backlighting and the LED unit may not be big enough for key lighting in some situations. A fresnel, like our CL-MF0150 which will be back in stock in June would be what you need there. The power of a 650w fresnel for drawing only 150w and not heating up your interview area nearly as much. And you can get it in daylight color temperature like the flo or LED models you mentioned without gelling it. Hope this helps.
 
Does anyone know if there anything in the bhphoto.com section of fluorescent lights that would work well for a key? I have some work I need to do and would rather not wait for June if possible..
 
Just grab a coollights 4-bank if you want a bright soft source that's fluorescent.
Richard was suggesting the HMI as a hard source that would pair well with your other lights, to be used for backlight.
 
Thanks Professor. I don't have any other lights right now, and am open to whatever is suggested. Richard, do you have a couple of lights currently in stock that will work well together and can you tell me which ones? I would like to spend 1k or under if possible.
 
jdajda said:
I've started using zylights for quick interviews where setup time is minimal. I can have two set on stands in less than ten minutes. Its not the best lighting in the world but it looks pretty darn good. Fantastic lights and they pack up small, but the cost hurts a little bit... I use them as key and edge light.
Click to expand...

Hi Jeff:

When you have a chance, can you post a still from a Zylight lit interview, would be interesting to see.

Thanks,

Dan
 
Will do - it'll be tonight. Been meaning to do this anyways to get some feedback on my lighting. Looks good to me, but I'd love some criticism.
 
Jeff Anderson said:
Here you go Dan!
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=1284708#post1284708

Please let me know what you think - dont you do a fair bit of interview lighting? Would really appreciate your feedback.

Thanks

Jeff
Click to expand...

Hi Jeff:

I like your lighting. I like the lighting ratios and look of #2 the best. I like how you painted the background with some little pools of light and dark. I would have put Duvetine on the outside of those windows to block the edge blowout but I bet you didn't have time, I know, I do lots of run and gun and there is rarely time to Duve out windows.

I would have lost the roll of paper towels, they are too light and draw your eye to them.

Nice work,

Dan
 
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redCashion said:
Thanks Professor. I don't have any other lights right now, and am open to whatever is suggested. Richard, do you have a couple of lights currently in stock that will work well together and can you tell me which ones? I would like to spend 1k or under if possible.
Click to expand...

We have the CL-255P in stock now which would be a good one to try out for your uses. The other recommended component--the CL-MF0150 metal halide fresnel won't be back in stock till late June so if you can wait a bit on that one you could have a great kit for under $1000 with both fixtures.
 
I know that this is not important to a lot of you, but after seeing the lights from Steve Kaeser light kits on this site I sent an email to them. Turns out the lights will only run on 110 volts.
 
Thats the case with all self-ballasts CFLs. They usually only operate on one voltage range for 110 or 220 but I have rarely seen one that can do both. The issue is the size they have to work with just doesn't allow the components in there to allow dual voltage operation. If you want to use a kit like that in 220v territory, you have to get 220v line voltage CFL bulbs with it or from a separate source.
 
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