camera lights

M

mike p

hi, i am new to this stuff.

got an ex3 and am wondering what lights to use?

i know that there is no definitive answer, but i wanted opinions of others. i will be shooting some documentary type interviews at companies offices, as well as going to shows at exhibition centres and filming people, and products.

i know that for interviews at companies i am most likely going to need 3 lights, perhaps redheads, or maybe some lowel kit.

but do i need a toplight for the camera ? some say yes, some say no.

any advice appreciated
 
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Welcome mike.

I'm one who says no. But as you mention, there is no
definitive answer. I think the the look of a toplight on
the camera is harsh and unnatural. Others might not
find that to be true. The final answer might come down
to you hiring a light and using it on a couple of projects
to see if you like the look.
 
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Hum, good question about the top light. seems that If you could move it off axis, like to the right a few feet it could act a bit like a key or fill, but still attached to the camera.. Rick, does anyone do that, or is that just a dumb idea? (wouldn't be my first and wont be my last!)
 
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You would have to get it quite far off axis for the light to
fall correctly - like three feet - and even then it would be
too harsh. For my tastes, anyway. On a pro camera it
would really f with the balance and on a non-shoulder
mounted camera it doesn't seem like it would work at all.

But many news camera ops use them. In those cases the
camera has a top of the line lens and great manual controls.
Even then, it often look too harsh, but it's usually a talking
head reporting a story.

But it's not a bad idea. It might be worth it to put together
a rig to see if it works.
 
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hum..
depending on how close you are to the subject, off axis might not have to be that far at all, maybe just a foot or so.. but then if your that close, you might use one of those ring lights and have a softer look..

In any event, the use of a top light would seem to be a "last resort" for on the run type interviews. If you have a setting, with lights set up etc, then I don't think it helps at all.
 
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I use a top light only if I'm trying to create a highlight in the subject's eyes, in which case I use a very low wattage bulb so it does not dilute the actual lighting. Sometimes this isn't necessary as the key light will do the job, but if the key is too far off to one side it won't kick sufficiently. Just my personal preference.
 
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Exactly. A rig like that would need to be adjusted depending
on how close the camera is to the subject. For documentary
type interviews, shows at exhibition centres and filming people
it seems an on camera light that sticks out 12 to 16 to 18
inches on one side or the other would be difficult to control on
the fly. If you have that rig on the right and there is a lot of
light coming from the right (a window, a booth with strong
lighting) you would have to change the rig to the left or move
the subject. But I don't see why it shouldn't be attempted.

There are many different possibilities, there is no definitive
answer. Each person needs to decide what is best for their
specific usage and final look.

I really hate those ring lights. You can see the reflection in the
subjects eyes and it distracts me. But many people love the look.
 
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I have a 2000 watt set of Arri lights and I love them. the kit came with a 1000, 2 650s and a 300, stands and one lightbox. It cost about $2300 but its a real pleasure to use. I'm getting ready to buy another set. If mony is an issue, you can probably find a good used set of the same lights for a fraction of the price. ~ Frank
 
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