If you were to purchase just ONE light?

[BrianMurphy]

Tota Flags....Clip ons for my Totas but not for neck ties. I travel all the time and need small powerful lights. I use a 4 light Cool-Lux kit a few Totas and a couple of Lowel Pros and stacker stands when I am on the road. Lots of instruments at home but too heavy. I would love to have a small portable LED kit and the Ianileds looks great but I am still not convinced they are there yet and are expensive but maybe I am just old fashioned. Did like the ring light feature but wonder how it compares to my Kamio kit for look and softness.
Cheers

 

[slondon]

Brian, what are stacker stands and the ring light gives flattering lighting for glamor shots but don't you get those ring catchlights in the eyes? Just a matter of taste but I don't like those dang things

 

[BrianMurphy]

I use these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...to_1052BAC_3_1052BAC_3_Alu_Compact_Stand.html
Glasses are an issue and yes I don sometimes get the "catchlights" but try to back off intensity and distance when it is objectionable. It is sometimes more flattering than a problem depending on the persons eye colour.Good point though.

 

[slondon]

I use these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...to_1052BAC_3_1052BAC_3_Alu_Compact_Stand.html
Glasses are an issue and yes I don sometimes get the "catchlights" but try to back off intensity and distance when it is objectionable. It is sometimes more flattering than a problem depending on the persons eye colour.Good point though.

I've never bumped into those stackers before, thanks.

Here is the look I don't like:

Brian, since you travel so much and a lot of us travel much less so how about you give some of the benefit of your experience in a thread on all the stuff you've learned about doing that, the gear you use, don't use, what you bring, what you acquire locally, etc. For example, how about bags to weight down your stands? Bitsy dollies, etc?

 

[BrianMurphy]

Good example. I just kinda fuddle my way through but I will post a couple of things here in this thread. If there will be time and need I throw a set of dolly wheels/bolts in one of the bags and get a piece of plywood cut. You can usually find someone with a drill and pvc pipe where you bought the plywood. If it isn't too marred up when done, I have been know to return the pipe to the hardware. I have a couple of Rock Steady bags and unzip them and use plastic soda bottles filled with water or sometimes soda (in case a mix for the after shoot beverage is required like maybe Tonic or Coke)The bottles slide in on both sides, not gravel or sand but it works. Used to have Photoflex water bags but they leak eventually and when you are shooting in a $50 million dollar apartment... concierge gets very upset. You can see them here: http://store.amplis.com/products/productdetail/part_number=PX086/4633.0.4.2
Here are a few of the things I really like and take little space and deliver big time;
This clamp is available at most music outlets like musiciansfriend.com or samash. I got mine in Canada at Long and McQuade. The are cheap and handy though not super tough being made of high impact plastic. You can attach them to your light stand or a mic stand and hang or bolt stuff from them. I carry two of them they also fit on water pipes and sprinklers with the center removed. About $10.00 each.
The next ones are super handy: http://www.vfgadgets.com/Bar-Clamp-Spigot-Adaptor_p_142.html
Mine are older,probably first generation but same thing except shape outside.
You can clamp light or flag or__? anywhere . These clamps come in many sizes are strong and you can buy them everywhere:
http://www.harborfreight.com/24-inch-ratchet-bar-clamp-spreader-46809.html
And then good old super clamps and magic arm available anywhere and invaluable with a camera bracket for awkward mounting and time lapse as well as lighting and for microphone placement.
Now I need to get back to work hope some of this helps someone.
Cheers
Brian

 

[slondon]

Great info and new ideas for me. Thank you so much, Brian.