I took a break from making music vids over the last few months b/c I had stopped enjoying it. The videos I often make are low budget and I have to do everything (and I mean everything, from first idea to delivery) myself and it got to me.
In the meantime I've got into photography again and like using as simple setup as I can as I want to focus on the people/subject, not on the gear/stuff as I had to when shooting the vids.
Therefore my pictures certainly have a feel of the 'harsh on camera flash' guys like Juergen Teller/Terry Richardson, partly as I like those images, although am also drawn to cinematic photography, naturally, but mostly due to the deliberate decisions I've made of wanting to photograph simply.
I was thinking of purchasing a LED light to give me a powerful but light/compact/cool continuous light source. Something effectively to give either ambient light or a directional or what. Something I can carry simply and just be one of those things I use a lot.
I currently own a Litepanels MicroPro which is a great on camera light and I'm looking for something more powerful. I was thinking of getting a Litepanels 1x1 but they're expensive.
I see datavision and flolight do cheaper versions of litepanels (e.g. here http://www.videogear.co.uk/lighting/led-lights/cat_260.html) and that Coolights also are around and should be coming out with a 1200 led light later this year.
I was wondering what people thought of a) getting one of these lights if they'll do the job I'm after - my current photographic setup is often white wall, maybe w/daylight coming in and a 580 EX II just off camera on a bracket (5dmk2) or a Contax G2 film camera w/hot shoe flash.
I'm thinking if I replace the flash w/the MicroPro and add the LED light I could get the same kind of effect but with continuous lighting, giving me the option of shooting video as well.
Also I can then use the LED light for situations where I need a proper 'light' on location without having to a) rent lights and b) carry anything heavy about.
I was also wondering if I can get away with mixing the led lights from litepanels and another or if I should stick to getting the litepanels 1x1, even as the cost.
I like the litepanels, its consistent. I don't want to put down a lot of money and find the cheaper lights aren't doing it colour temp wise or aren't consistent etc. Cool lights for example do a dimmable 600 led light for $550 delivered to the UK vs £1350 for the litepanels, w/the 1200 led light to come. If the later is also dimmable I think it's real interesting.
As I said, I'm all about small, minimal and simple so any suggestions would be useful. Thanks! (hope I'm explaining myself too!)
In the meantime I've got into photography again and like using as simple setup as I can as I want to focus on the people/subject, not on the gear/stuff as I had to when shooting the vids.
Therefore my pictures certainly have a feel of the 'harsh on camera flash' guys like Juergen Teller/Terry Richardson, partly as I like those images, although am also drawn to cinematic photography, naturally, but mostly due to the deliberate decisions I've made of wanting to photograph simply.
I was thinking of purchasing a LED light to give me a powerful but light/compact/cool continuous light source. Something effectively to give either ambient light or a directional or what. Something I can carry simply and just be one of those things I use a lot.
I currently own a Litepanels MicroPro which is a great on camera light and I'm looking for something more powerful. I was thinking of getting a Litepanels 1x1 but they're expensive.
I see datavision and flolight do cheaper versions of litepanels (e.g. here http://www.videogear.co.uk/lighting/led-lights/cat_260.html) and that Coolights also are around and should be coming out with a 1200 led light later this year.
I was wondering what people thought of a) getting one of these lights if they'll do the job I'm after - my current photographic setup is often white wall, maybe w/daylight coming in and a 580 EX II just off camera on a bracket (5dmk2) or a Contax G2 film camera w/hot shoe flash.
I'm thinking if I replace the flash w/the MicroPro and add the LED light I could get the same kind of effect but with continuous lighting, giving me the option of shooting video as well.
Also I can then use the LED light for situations where I need a proper 'light' on location without having to a) rent lights and b) carry anything heavy about.
I was also wondering if I can get away with mixing the led lights from litepanels and another or if I should stick to getting the litepanels 1x1, even as the cost.
I like the litepanels, its consistent. I don't want to put down a lot of money and find the cheaper lights aren't doing it colour temp wise or aren't consistent etc. Cool lights for example do a dimmable 600 led light for $550 delivered to the UK vs £1350 for the litepanels, w/the 1200 led light to come. If the later is also dimmable I think it's real interesting.
As I said, I'm all about small, minimal and simple so any suggestions would be useful. Thanks! (hope I'm explaining myself too!)
