Low Light help

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Bluestirbute

Member
I went to film the music video, and it went well, but it was very dark and rainy (the ONE day we had a nasty nasty tornado/hail storm . . . ). Anyways, I'm wondering if, for starters, using an LED light mounted on the camera (specifically this one) and a lens with a bigger aperture (like this) would help me in low light so I can use a smaller ISO (I got the shots, but I had to boost up the ISO so they're super grainy). It's mostly being shot at night in locations without outlets so the light has to be portable.

It seems like that would work (more light on my camera and it's able to capture it) but I'm not a pro so I could easily be mistaken.
 
Well, yes; adding light and using a faster lens will make it easier to shoot under lower light conditions with a lower ISO setting. That being said, a light directly on the camera is not usually the best choice of lighting for most creative projects. That type of lighting is usually associated with event/home movie type lighting or TV new coverage type shooting. Here is a LED camera light comparison I found on YouTube that you might find useful. There are actually quit a lot of them there, but this one was made by a DVUSER member and is gives a pretty good idea of what you can expect from these types of lights.


Here is another review of that specific type of light.

 
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I've seen a few reviews on this specific one (including that second video and another, among others). The only thing that really concerned me as I was buying it was that a light coming directly from the camera direction would look really cheesy and obvious. Luckily I have someone to help and it has the ability to dim, so I can have them hold it because it's battery powered. But the biggest thing right now is just being able to get a clear picture at night without noise in an open field or drain or something, and I figured some sort of LED light would get that job done (and then hopefully the street light/moon/headlights can do the rest to create a more natural look). But I've never even thought about lighting until recently so I could be way off.
 
Bluestirbute said:
I've seen a few reviews on this specific one (including that second video and another, among others). The only thing that really concerned me as I was buying it was that a light coming directly from the camera direction would look really cheesy and obvious. Luckily I have someone to help and it has the ability to dim, so I can have them hold it because it's battery powered. But the biggest thing right now is just being able to get a clear picture at night without noise in an open field or drain or something, and I figured some sort of LED light would get that job done (and then hopefully the street light/moon/headlights can do the rest to create a more natural look). But I've never even thought about lighting until recently so I could be way off.
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The situations that you describe are some of the most challenging in cinematography. What has kind of evolved, via Hollywood movies, is a series of accepted lighting conventions that are very hard to duplicate on low budgets (Large powerful soft sources and powerful background lighting, ect.). I think getting a few of these types of lights are better than nothing and can help your videos look better in low light situations.

I was watching those videos and I may actually pick up a few of those lights for my kit. A basic rig I would set up is to take about 4 of those lights, put together side by side and placed on a small light weight stand (Any thing would probably do), take a sheet of diffusion (or even tracing or typing paper) and fix it to the lights so that it is bowed out. I think this would make a real good portable soft light that I could use to bring up the light on the subject in tough low light situations. That would also be a real handy rig to put on the end of a boom pole (A cheap painters pole from the hardware store) and use as a soft light on night time traveling shots. I would have some one hold it up at a decided upon angle as we follow the subject down a street or what ever. I have used a very soft frontal light in low light situations to bring up the talent with a subtle, shadowless light, and I like that. The rig I use is like a china ball, and needs AC power. Having battery powered lights would be handy. Those lights would also be very handy in lighting night time car interiors and the like. Actually those little lights could be placed just about anywhere to add accent lighting, and being battery powered and low powered (Cool running), could be stuck almost anywhere. Ok, you sold me. I think I am going to get some also.

Getting fast lenses is also important. That lens you showed, the Canon "Nifty-Fifty" is a good lens FOR THE MONEY. I have one, but have gotten other lenses that I prefer. For a starter lens, it is ok.
 
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We tried using a whole bunch of normal everyday lights, and it worked OK, but yeah, it's just having the ability to move them. I completely forgot about the other light types though . . . I really gotta start investing in lighting. And thanks for bringing up the car. I completely forgot I'm gonna have to do some car scenes lol.

I'm actually getting a few starter lenses. One for low light and one for closer shots (that kit 18-55mm just doesn't cut it =\ and I gotta work within my budget) so I can get either some better nighttime shots, or even some good scenery shots. 'Cause right now I've been basically doing this as favours for people to really get my feet wet and know what I need to get the best shots possible. But I've found out just how fun filming and editing is and how creative you get to be during it so I don't mind that right now.
 
Thanks! I always have to find sites like this for new projects and endeavours. Eventually I hope to be able to answer questions instead of ask though lol. But it's always good getting a second and third perspective from people who know
 
Bluestirbute said:
Thanks! I always have to find sites like this for new projects and endeavours. Eventually I hope to be able to answer questions instead of ask though lol. But it's always good getting a second and third perspective from people who know
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Well, Welcome to DVXUSER. I look forward to you ending up showing us all a thing or two about how to make films. ... "We're expecting great things... "* (Obscure movie reference!). Good luck.







*"Barton Fink"
 
Yes I do realize that. I have a friend who does lighting but he's away right now so I've been learning by doing (of course reading and stuff as well, but you're never gonna do what you read without actually doing). In my garage and stuff where it's pitch black so we can play around with what we have (because we have like, a worklight, a stage light, a reading light, and a few home-made reflectors)
 
I got it today and tested it in my garage (pitch black) and it lit the entire garage . . . and my camera and lens picked it up with a low ISO (200). Plus it diffused a lot thanks to the covers it comes with. I know it's not the most professional lighting but it looks like it's gonna work (plus it has a tripod mount so if I need to, I can put it on my extra one)
 
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