jdkhanlian
Active member
I need help/suggestions on buying a lighting kit to shoot in one particular space.
This is a link to some test shots that show the space that will have most of the interior shots. All of these shots were done with only the available light. (Sorry the subject matter isn't more interesting and a lot of the shots have no purpose. I was testing many things with these test shots.)
http://vimeo.com/9590897
http://vimeo.com/9558665
Some of my shots will be Int. day and some will be Int. night. I will also be doing some exterior shots, but I plan to just use a bounce card and shoot those at optimal times during the day. So my lighting kit questions are in regard to shooting day and night shots in the place shown.
Right now, I am planning to spend somewhere around $750 or so for a kit. (I am willing to spend a little more if need be. I would also be more than happy to not spend that much if I don't have to.) I am looking to get a decent used kit through ebay, craigslist, or some other source. I want the kit to have three relatively powerful lights (e.g. 1000W and 2 650W. Some accessories would be a bonus, but I am willing to add those to my kit in a separate purchase). I was thinking about Mole Richardson, Lowel, Arri, or some other brand name that people tend to be happy with. I know people talk about florescent and LED lights, but I don't think those will provide the power I need. It seems like they have a quick falloff and are only good for when you are in tight on your subject. Plus, I am more concerned with the ability to shoot night shots so I think I need powerful tungsten (3200K).
Close-up and wide shots during the day: I plan to use a bounce if the light is streaming through the windows to fill shadows. If I am not getting a direct rays of sun streaming through the windows like when the sun is higher in the sky or on overcast days, I plan to use the tungsten lights with CTB for keys and fills on my subject. Even in these situations, I think I will still have enough ambient coming in where so I won't have to worry about bringing the exposure of the background up at all.
One potential problems I foresee is shots where my subject has the huge window behind them. I think in these situations I will have to light my subject with every light I have in my kit (although I will lose some light since I will need to white balance with CTB) to try to bring their exposure up as much as possible and then shoot at a lower f-stop. I also thought of getting some curtains I could draw that would take down the light a little... maybe some sheer or lace-like material that will cut down the light some but still let enough through. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Another potential problem is getting enough bright things in the shot for night shots. I am planning to put candle holders on the wall and candles on as much stuff as possible. Then I am hoping to use my light kit mainly for lighting the subject. The background will be hopefully be littered with candles, floor lamps, lamps, etc...
An HMI would be nice, but I don't think I am ready to invest in one right now; I need to assemble a starter kit right now. So basically, I am looking for feedback on my thought of getting a descent used 3 light tungsten kit in order to shoot my interior day and night shots.
Also, at what point should I be concerned with blowing a fuse? I plan to be plugging the lights in to outlets that are hooked up to a few different fuses. (I will not be buying a generator.)
Thanks for the help.
This is a link to some test shots that show the space that will have most of the interior shots. All of these shots were done with only the available light. (Sorry the subject matter isn't more interesting and a lot of the shots have no purpose. I was testing many things with these test shots.)
http://vimeo.com/9590897
http://vimeo.com/9558665
Some of my shots will be Int. day and some will be Int. night. I will also be doing some exterior shots, but I plan to just use a bounce card and shoot those at optimal times during the day. So my lighting kit questions are in regard to shooting day and night shots in the place shown.
Right now, I am planning to spend somewhere around $750 or so for a kit. (I am willing to spend a little more if need be. I would also be more than happy to not spend that much if I don't have to.) I am looking to get a decent used kit through ebay, craigslist, or some other source. I want the kit to have three relatively powerful lights (e.g. 1000W and 2 650W. Some accessories would be a bonus, but I am willing to add those to my kit in a separate purchase). I was thinking about Mole Richardson, Lowel, Arri, or some other brand name that people tend to be happy with. I know people talk about florescent and LED lights, but I don't think those will provide the power I need. It seems like they have a quick falloff and are only good for when you are in tight on your subject. Plus, I am more concerned with the ability to shoot night shots so I think I need powerful tungsten (3200K).
Close-up and wide shots during the day: I plan to use a bounce if the light is streaming through the windows to fill shadows. If I am not getting a direct rays of sun streaming through the windows like when the sun is higher in the sky or on overcast days, I plan to use the tungsten lights with CTB for keys and fills on my subject. Even in these situations, I think I will still have enough ambient coming in where so I won't have to worry about bringing the exposure of the background up at all.
One potential problems I foresee is shots where my subject has the huge window behind them. I think in these situations I will have to light my subject with every light I have in my kit (although I will lose some light since I will need to white balance with CTB) to try to bring their exposure up as much as possible and then shoot at a lower f-stop. I also thought of getting some curtains I could draw that would take down the light a little... maybe some sheer or lace-like material that will cut down the light some but still let enough through. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Another potential problem is getting enough bright things in the shot for night shots. I am planning to put candle holders on the wall and candles on as much stuff as possible. Then I am hoping to use my light kit mainly for lighting the subject. The background will be hopefully be littered with candles, floor lamps, lamps, etc...
An HMI would be nice, but I don't think I am ready to invest in one right now; I need to assemble a starter kit right now. So basically, I am looking for feedback on my thought of getting a descent used 3 light tungsten kit in order to shoot my interior day and night shots.
Also, at what point should I be concerned with blowing a fuse? I plan to be plugging the lights in to outlets that are hooked up to a few different fuses. (I will not be buying a generator.)
Thanks for the help.