NWS: Topside Video Studio Lighting Advice

I need some advice for setting up a simple studio video lighting setup using my D7000 VDSLR. It will be used for shooting video marketing clips, interviews etc in my office photo studio, and also need to move at least part of it on camera to shoot in the operating room.

Recommendations for a compact studio tripod and also a setup for the camera to be hand held with a light would be appreciated.

A semi decent soft box will be your best all round light for interviews and product displays/demos. You can get a cheap one off ebay, but as with all things photographic at the top end you could spend a lot more than you wanted to!! You can also use directional lighting for backdrops, backlighting etc but these again don't need to cost a fortune and can be pretty cheap. Some people (myself included) have used construction site work lights which work surprisingly well.

Cheers, Simon

Lowell lights are pretty much standard film school kits. Litepanels are the new darlings of the run & gun crowd. They even have a housing for the 1x1 so you can use it in your pool sessions.

If you want something a bit more run and gun, I'm afraid you'll have buy a few accessories to handle camera and lights. Check out the Red Rock Micro Nano or the Zacuto.

For setting up lighting in the OR, a light clamp and small panel can be a great thing. I think you first have to figure out how much lighting you need to light your OR, studio etc before you decide on which way to go. LEDs like the Litepanels are thin and with battery packs can be put it all sorts of small places, unlike the bigger Halogen/tungsten lights.

There are many small LED lights available for on camera use which cost less than $100 nowadays. Do a little search on BH or Adorama.

My main problem with the Lite Panels is that they have such a short throw. They just sent me their new Hybrid to review but I have a full plate and don't know when I will get to it. While I have a Lowell kit, they really burn hot and can be uncomfortable to the talent. A year ago, Interfit sent me a kit that is large enough and powerful enough for most topside shoots. Here is the review....

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/inter...te_douglas.html

Steve

Thanks guys; I ordered a Litepanel Micro Pro to start; and I'll build from there. They also make an underwater housing for it, so that may be something I will start dabbling with. I have used the Subtronic video lights underwater in the pool with gels for still images to great effect, so these may have some use for my pool work as well.

No need for this to be NWS; my apologies for the 'overexposed' shot previously posted; just want to post a shot demonstrating the use of video lights with gels for underwater stills. (1600 ISO)

I like the shot, like the coloration, hate the censorship. I've seen some underwater nudes that were just beautifully done. Wish I had saved the shooteres url.

Steve

Great shot.... what a crappy world we live in that you have to censor 'art'...

Love the colours and composition