11 Comments »

1. 

   Hi Neil, I’ve recently purchased a similar video lighting setup, based much on your recommendations here. Do you find that the tension screw that keeps the head from pivoting stays put? If I bump the light or hold the handle at an angle where the head is cantilevered from the handle, the head easily pivots. I’m wondering if after time it becomes looser, or if the whole purpose of a tension screw is to keep it on the verge of easy adjustment. I’m thinking back on old tripod mounts and flash grips that almost required pliers to tighten down for use.

         Comment by Phil Barnett — August 21, 2009 @ 6:37 pm

2. 

   Phil, I have to agree – the way the head is tightened onto the stem / handle, isn’t the most elegant design. I too need to adjust the tension knob several times during a shoot.

   Neil vN

         Comment by Neil — August 23, 2009 @ 5:45 pm

3. 

   Hello Neil, I’m a big fan of your work and follow your tips. I recently purchase some Lowel equipment at an auction. Got a hell of a deal. The equipment is as follows: 3x Tota light, 3x Omni-light, 3x DP light. Do you think I can get the same result as the ID Light in which you use as the equipment I have?

         Comment by Fred Reed — August 28, 2009 @ 11:11 am

4. 

   Fred, I had to go have a look at the Tota-Omni lighting kit to actually see what you are referring to. It certainly looks like a serious kit!

   You would definitely be able to get the same results .. however, the kit you have consists of light stands and umbrellas as well. And this implies a more static approach.

   The beauty of a video light or two, held up by an assistant, is that it is very portable. You can set something up, shoot, and then quickly move on.

   There is an additional side-effect (and often a benefit), to the video lights being hand-held. Your assistant will purposely or inadvertently change position of the lights .. thereby changing the way the light falls on your subject .. frame by frame.

   With a more static set-up you would gain more predictability, but also lose that serendipitiy factor of stumbling onto a specific way the light falls that just works beautifully. Unexpectedly so.

   best

   Neil vN

         Comment by Neil — August 29, 2009 @ 2:14 am

5. 

   Thanks Neil!!

         Comment by Fred Reed — August 29, 2009 @ 5:21 pm

6. 

   Hi Neil

   I’ve just purchased a second hand Lowel ilight. I’ve tried using it during the daylight, but it doesn’t seem to have enough grunt to work. I’m guessing that it’s used to fill in shadows (when in open shade) or as a key light when it’s getting dark. Also, the light seems quite harsh on your subject’s eyes, but if I feather it, it doesn’t seem powerful enough to beof much use!!!!?

         Comment by Warren — February 21, 2010 @ 11:52 pm

7. 

   Warren, the light type you get from a video light will be fairly harsh. It certainly isn’t soft. But what we’re chasing here is the dramatic quality that this kind of light can give us. It needs specific attention to how you position the light. In comparison to that, using a softbox is much more forgiving.

   Check this page for some advice on how I position the video light when doing portraits.

   The video light certainly isn’t strong enough for use in daylight. You’d need something akin to a deer light to even make a difference in daylight.

   With settings around 1/180 @ f2.8 @ 800 ISO … the video light is obviously for indoor or low-light use only.

   I hope you settle into this … there’s some amazing work created with just a video light. : )

   best

   Neil vN

         Comment by Neil vN — February 26, 2010 @ 8:32 pm

8. 

   Excellent resources as usual! Thank you! A couple questions – Can that light fit on a typical light stand? And about how long does that battery last if the light is on full or almost full power?

   Finally, for Neil or anyone else – any other video light recommendations for still photography? Thanks a million!!

         Comment by claybrook — May 24, 2010 @ 10:51 pm

9. 

   Hi there .. The light does fit onto a lightstand, and screws into position.

   The battery lasts about 15-20 minutes with continuous light. It doesn’t sound like much, but the way we use it for stills, it is enough. You just light your subject for short periods before setting up again.

   I’m looking at reviewing some LED lights, and see how they stack up.

   Neil vN

         Comment by Neil vN — May 28, 2010 @ 1:08 am

10. 

    ¡Gracias!

          Comment by claybrook — May 28, 2010 @ 7:18 pm

11. 

    Hi Neil
    You are a mine of information !
    I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind. Do you use the Lowel diffuser much and the snoot at all?

    What wattage of bulbs do you use ?

    How far from the subject do you put the light (close as you can or a fixed distance)and do you use it mainly at full power.

    I shoot weddings and I find Brides think the light is blinding them, it may be because I use it too close and too much power.

    One last question, do you ever use two lights on a bride-one main light source and a second to soften the shadows on the face.

    I live in Ireland and was wondering if you are coming over for a seminar at any stage. I would be first in line to buy my ticket!

    Cheers Neil
    Des

          Comment by Rowan — September 1, 2010 @ 5:50 pm

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Filed under: — Neil vN @ 4:21 am