The use of video lights is a regular theme on the Tangents blog. Specifically, the LED video light is a versatile must-have devices in my camera bag. Not only do I use it at weddings, I also use it on location shoots. For example, while photographing the interior of one of the largest hardware stores in Manhattan, I used an LED video light to bring up some detail in the more shadowy areas in the shelves and corners. Easier to just point the hand-held video light than to set up off-camera lighting. Especially because the light is easier Read more inside...
Using the Profoto B1 modeling lamp as a video light
Looking through the past articles on this blog, you'll notice that I love using a video light for low-light photography. A video light adds that sense of drama to portraits, and very often blends better with the existing ambient light, than flash would.
Lately though, I haven't bothered to bring a video light to weddings for the romantic portraits - I already have the Profoto B1 there with a substantial enough modeling light! Less gear to carry with me! Since I rely heavily on my Profoto B1 flashes (B&H / Amazon), I Read more inside...
The dramatic look that video lights lend to photographs, is a regularly explored topic on Tangents. I also cover the use of video light in my book Direction and Quality of Light.
The video lights that I have been favoring, are the Lowel ID-Light (affiliate), but like other halogen video lights, it tends to run hot. LED video lights, such as the Litepanels Croma LED video light (affiliate), also tend to be under-powered for some uses. And since video lights tend to be small light sources, their light is quite contrasty. Read more inside...
Using video lights for outdoor night-time portrait photography
The image at the top was taken on the streets in Baltimore during the same time. Again, I controlled the power to match the video light's brightness better with the background.
camera settings: 1/100 @ f3.5 @ 1600 ISO
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