photo shoot: haunted fashion (using video lights)
The previous time I photographed Anna was at a pin-up photo session. I had the opportunity again to photograph her and other models again last night … but in a completely different style and setting this time. The Valley Hudson Click group arranged a Haunted Fashion theme for this photo session.
Instead of using flash, I opted to use video lights instead – Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H). For some images I used a single light, and for others I used two lights – one to light up the model, and the other to light up the background or to give rim-light or light on the background. The video lights worked very well in giving a dramatic light which could easily be controlled. This way we could move around and change poses and backgrounds much more easily than a static setup.
The photo at the top was enhanced with Topaz Adjust. The main adjustment involved an HDR action (in Topaz Adjust), at reduced opacity and changing the blending mode to ‘pin light’. Here is the un-edited image as comparison, and to give a more fair idea of the effect of the video light.
Camera settings and details:
1/160 @ f3.2 @ 800 ISO … Daylight WB.
Nikon D3; Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 AF-S (B&H);
Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H)
This is another reason why the LED video lights are so great. You can add a gel to warm it up; or add another gel to turn it into a Tungsten light source. Without the gels that easily clip in and out, the LED light is close to Daylight White Balance. Very flexible. Here I oped to use the LED light as a Daylight balanced light source.
And for comparison again, here is the same setup but without the video light, just to make it easier to see the effect of the video light.
A pull-back shot to show the approximate positioning of the video light:
Another few cool photographs:
Here I had my assistant hold up two lights – one light for my model, and the other as an attempt at rim-lighting. Jessica just didn’t quite have the wingspan to reach with both lights … so the rim-light is now more of an off-center accent light on Anna’s hair. It still works in creating some separation from the background.
camera details and settings:
1/125 @ f3.5 @ 800 ISO … two LED video lights; Daylight WB
Nikon D3; Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S II (B&H)
Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H)
The pull-back shot:
And the comparison photograph without any additional light. It may appear a touch darker, since the light was fading while we were shooting, and I shot this at the end of this particular sequence.
Two photographs of another model, Amy:
Part of this mini-golf course was this tunnel with laser lights that rotated. I posed Amy in there, and then set one of the video lights at the far tunnel to lift the dark background.
Camera settings: 2 seconds @ f8 @ 800 ISO … Daylight WB.
Nikon D3; Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 AF-S (B&H);
Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H)
I needed the slow shutter speed so that the lasers would leave patterns. My tripod was in the car, and I wasn’t in the mood to run to fetch it, so I rested the camera against the video light pouch on the ground. This was stable enough to give a sharp image with the camera’s self-timer.
Another photograph I really liked was where Amy was laying back on one of the carpeted areas. The carpet glows under ‘black light’ / UV light and had this crazy colorful pattern. I stood over Amy to take this photograph.
Camera settings: 1/40 @ f3.5 @ 1000 ISO
Nikon D3; Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 AF-S (B&H);
Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H)
Thank you again to Peter Salo and Nuby and Sandy for arranging this event. If you are in the Hudson Valley, NY area, do check their schedule out. They have exciting plans for future events.
Equipment used during this shoot:
Nikon D3; Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 AF-S (B&H)
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S II (B&H)
Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H)
This is awesome.. thanks so much for sharing your insights.
Can you PLEASE mention how the Lowell ID light compares to this.. if you were to measure the amount of light it output. Is it about the same?
Do these LEDs run on AA batteries alone? I can’t image its for too long…
That 2-second photo came out really well.
How approachable is Hudson Valley Click for non-professionals? I checked out their meetup page, and it seems geared toward professionals for education and networking purposes. As a hobbyist photographer, I would feel quite intimidated by the presence of so many professionals, because I wouldn’t be bringing much photography experience or networking potential.
Bekka,
The product page at B&H describes the power requirements and usage.
It primarily takes 6 AA batteries or a power adapter that you have to buy separately. If you use AA batteries, it will run about 1.5 hours. That doesn’t seem like a lot of time, but I would think a person turns them on only when they’re shooting. One would not leave them on between shots.
thanks stephen for your input… i’m glad it can run that long on AA.
i’m very illiterate when it comes to technical mumbo-jumbo so i can’t figure out how the LED output compares to standard bulbs used in lowell ID :/
Bekka,
The Lowell ID light does not use standard house bulbs. It uses 12/14V automobile halogen lamps, according to the product page on B&H.
I think Neil has favored the Litepanels light, because it is lightweight and uses a small power source. If you look at all the accessories for the Lowell ID light ( https://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/using-video-lights/ ), that is a lot of items.
Stephen,
Peter Salo from Hudson Valley CLICK here…
I can safely say that anybody who reads Neil’s blog is for sure, in the ballpark for a shoot out group like HV CLICK. It’s not for beginners with point & shoots, but if you have at least a prosumer DSLR camera and know the basic stuff, this group is fine place for you.
Really excellent professional photogs do come out and most love share what they know with anyone who’d like listen. There is no expectation placed on any member to bring anything to the table other than a willingness to learn and have fun.
However, the ability to take constructive criticism is a requirement. :)
Just ask Neil… we’re photographers and that means we’re not shy!
Please visit us again at http://www.hvclick.com and join if you wish.
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your response about the Hudson Valley Click group. It’s good to hear from an organizer of the group. :-)
I joined the group, and hopefully I can attend one of the group’s future meetups.
Hi Neil,
I’m sure that You could make the same using bounce light from on-camera flash.
Am i right ??
Thanks for this site, where many of us can learn how to using the light!
Michal