Using bounce and scrim outside

The sound of those blowers! ARRGGH use a rake!! Great post, Erik. I got a butterfly this year. It's the thing to make it possible to shoot all day, as you described. Beautiful work as usual.

I have been using collapsible reflectors with some pretty good luck but I just put a matthboard in my wishlist at B&H. I like the idea of scrimming direct sunlight off that! I usually will bounce with the white side of a flexible reflector but the stands for them aren't that good. I have one. It works but if it gets windy you need someone to Hollywood it.

Great stuff
 
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Erik Naso said:
It seems every time I start shooting when outside a lawn mower or blower shows up. Seriously.
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Was in Florida with a crew shooting a national TV spot, clouds finally get right, and jet flies by, then the lawn mower down the street, then the guy across the street who is hard of hearing turns on his TV in the house and you can hear it where we are, finely get his attention and turns off the TV, and a guy walking barking dogs, then the guy across the street phone rings and it's on this super ringing bell so he can hear it, well he doesn't for a very long time, then his other daughter calls to check up on him. Made for an interesting day.
 
David W. Jones said:
Was in Florida with a crew shooting a national TV spot, clouds finally get right, and jet flies by, then the lawn mower down the street, then the guy across the street who is hard of hearing turns on his TV in the house and you can hear it where we are, finely get his attention and turns off the TV, and a guy walking barking dogs, then the guy across the street phone rings and it's on this super ringing bell so he can hear it, well he doesn't for a very long time, then his other daughter calls to check up on him. Made for an interesting day.
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If you shoot they will come.
 
Random question somewhat related to day-time shooting I've been meaning to ask the pros for a while now.

I understand golden hour (sunrise/sunset) light is about 2000°K. This makes it closer to Tunsten (3200°k) than daylight (5600°K). Bouncing aside, is it common practice to light with tungsten during golden hour as opposed to HMI? I know HMIs are generally more powerful but I'm thinking a 2k Tungsten fixture can have some considerable impact?
 
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As the sun sets color gets warmer. HMI will need CTO to balance it. And scrim or ND to bring it down. In my news days I would put up a tungsten source at dusk for live shots. Depends what your shooting and big a scene you need light for.
 
I've been using Scrim Jims since the first year they came out - and i still have a lot of those same frame parts and fabrics. A couple years ago I stripped all the dead velcro off and drilled out the rivets, put on fresh velcro with epoxy glue and re-riveted everything. Just like new.

I'd upgrade from c-stands though. Beefy babies or combos are way better for flying even the 6' frame. And they're great to have in your kit.

I went to the fabric store and got their list of "ladies who sew drapes" and had some large fabrics made with light mesh, with all the velcro & whatnot - really nice for knocking down light and opening shadows without the totally flat look. I use my 1/4 stop net the most these days - really looks natural - it hangs on to some highlights really nicely.
 
Michael Carter said:
...I'd upgrade from c-stands though. Beefy babies or combos are way better for flying even the 6' frame. And they're great to have in your kit.
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I have been putting off buying C-stands, and have been buying the Matthews Maxi-Steel stands instead. They in no way compare in specs to the Matthews Combo series stands, but they have a max height and max weight rating that is more than the base Matthews Beefy Baby stand.They are also significantly less expensive. I actually think you turned me on to them in a post a good while back Michael. The Maxi-Steel stands are outstanding. Thanks.

Here is the Maxi-Steel stands at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/99162-REG/Matthews_387485_Maxi_Kit_Steel_Stand.html

And the Beefy Baby stand:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/139498-REG/Matthews_387030_Hollywood_Beefy_Baby_Stand.html
 
Yes indeed, after a looooonnnngggg night of researching stands, I found those Maxi Steels and was like "why does everyone obsess over c-stands with specs and pricing like these??"

I have yet to get some, as I got a deal on some aluminum tube beefy's. They'll be my next stands though - the aluminum babies worry me, I could see a tube buckling. Turtle-base C-stands are really overrated for the $$ (and I wouldn't want any more non-turtle c's anyway). Not as stable, a pain to pack, etc. Those steel maxi's seem like they're 90% of a steel beefy, which is an outstanding stand (did I just say that??)
 
Michael Carter said:
Yes indeed, after a looooonnnngggg night of researching stands, I found those Maxi Steels and was like "why does everyone obsess over c-stands with specs and pricing like these??"

I have yet to get some, as I got a deal on some aluminum tube beefy's. They'll be my next stands though - the aluminum babies worry me, I could see a tube buckling. Turtle-base C-stands are really overrated for the $$ (and I wouldn't want any more non-turtle c's anyway). Not as stable, a pain to pack, etc. Those steel maxi's seem like they're 90% of a steel beefy, which is an outstanding stand (did I just say that??)
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I just bought my fifth Maxi-Steel stand today and will probably pick up one or two more. I love them. The top riser tube looks thin, but it is all steel, and MSE rates it with a max weight of 25 lbs so I very pleased.
 
Hmm. If you like the Maxi-Steels, why would you object to the Impact c-stands?

Maxi:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/99162-REG/Matthews_387485_Maxi_Kit_Steel_Stand.html/

Impact Turtle Base C-Stand Kit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/372016-REG/Impact_CT40MKIT_Master_Century_C_Stand.html

Looking at the specs, both have about the same max capacity (22lbs vs 25lbs), they both have the same footprint diameter, the Impact c-stand is about a foot taller. The Impact kit is $129 vs the $87 for the Maxi, but with the Impact kit you also get an extra grip head and 40" extension arm which makes it a good deal (never can have enough gobos imho). The Impact is heavy and built like a tank, but unless mobility is a huge issue, that is a plus in my book. IOW, I don't get the criticism of c-stands, in the same breath as praising the Maxi - I mean, if the c-stand is not enough, then the Maxi won't be either. Don't get me wrong, I like the Maxi (in fact I have two), but I still think the c-stand has its uses.
 
For me, I was using el cheapo stands and just could not stand it any more. I went with the Maxi-Steels to do double duty and the smaller size when folded up was a big consideration for me as I have a small vehicle. I am getting a larger vehicle in a few weeks, so I probably will pick up a few C-stands. Thanks for the link to the Impact stands.
 
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