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Searching for the Best Lights for your Video?
Below are suggestions and links to help you out.

 

We use most of these tools and lights in every "Hands-on" video course here at DVworkshops.

 

Can't make our class in person?

 

Check out our new 

75-minute DVD

which includes tons of info from our Video Camera Bootcamp. 

  

Please click here to view a free 6-minute sample 
  • Sample includes:
  • How to film an interview
  • Understanding Negative Space
  • Correct framing
  • Best Microphones
  • How to use a lapel or Lavalier microphone
  • Intro to Zebras
April 2013 New York City Video Crash Course Students & Instructor Aron Ranen

 
Robert came from New Jersey to attend the April Course
Felicity Ingraham traveled from the Bahamas for the NYC Workshop
 

  

  

 
  
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Instructor Aron Ranen at our NYC Classroom at Calumet Photo

  

  

  

 

Give us a call if you need more class details or housing suggestions 

  

Aron Ranen  Instructor 
DVworkshops 
(415) 810-5934

 

 

  

 
Upcoming Workshops 
 

2-Day Camera & Lighting Bootcamp 

May 4-5  $345 

in Los Angeles 

 

2-Day Final Cut Pro X Workshop  

May 6-7       $445 

in Los Angeles  

 

4-Day Video Crash Course 

May 4-7     $695 

in Los Angeles

 

 

Please visit our Facebook Page to read
Student Testimonials
 
 
All our workshops now feature DSLR 
Workflow and Hands-on Color Grading with Magic Bullet Looks

Los Angeles Classes held at 302 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405

Info Request form, more class details. Please click here
 
Best Basic Lighting Systems for Video 

Three Lights and a large piece of White "Foam Core" are needed to complete a basic Lighting Kit.
 
Click on any Image in this newsletter to get exact details 
on that product and current pricing.
 
Your choices at the present time include both LED and "Hot Lights". LED lights are the future, and will eventually drop in price and be the only lighting used by most professionals. 
 

 

 
The number one selling LED Lights are manufactured by Litepanels.
 
Beware of very low-cost LED Lights for sale on the Internet.  The cheaper ones have a slight green hue. This is due to the fact the cheaper LEDs are attached to a green circuit board, which reflects onto your subject. Litepanels products do not have this issue

 

    
The three Lights I suggest from Litepanels 
 
1) KEY Light
 
Litepanels 1X1 Bicolor LED Light
Litepanels 1X1 Bicolor
Adjust Color temperature with rear dial
 
 
This Light is an awesome "soft" light source. No Soft Box needed.
 
It can also be adjusted to match indoor or outdoor color temperature by turning a dial on the rear of the light.  
 
Price $2,700 
Litepanels Grid

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I also encourage you to purchase a "Grid".  This is similar to an "Eggcrate"
 
It will help "Flag" unwanted Light, or "Spill" from your background.
 
Price  $175

Chroma
 

 

2) Back Light or "Hair Light"

For your "Hair light" or "Back light" use a Litepanels Chroma.  Hang the light from a C-Stand behind your subject...or utilize another 1X1 BiColor Litepanel as your back light.  
 
The Chroma is also a great choice for an "on-camera" light.  
Price $584 
 
3) Background light..or "Wall light".

This is used to illuminate the Background behind your subject

 

Litepanel INCA 6 Fresnel light is perfect for this 
Price $2,600



 
LOW COST ALTERNATIVE TO LED LIGHTS 

  

Because good LED Lights are expensive...your alternative is using "Hot Lights" which are traditional
lights with Bulbs.  

 

They look great, especially when lighting people. 

 

You can get a whole kit for less then one Litepanel Bicolor light.

 

The Arri Light Kit includes everything pictured 
below  Price $1,900

 

Click image for exact details.

  

Chimera Soft Box   
click Image to watch video on how to attach to a light
The Arri Kit comes with a Chimera Video Pro Soft Box(small).
  
I suggest purchasing an Egg Crate for the Chimera. This "Flags" your light, removing spill from your background. 
Price $175
Eggcrate

 

 
 
 
I also recommend a sheet/roll of 1/8 CTO. You will use this to warm up the person in your shot. 
Price $10

 

 

 

1/8 CTO Gel
How to
Please click to view Video  "How to Warm up your shot with 1/8 CTO Gels"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/4 CTB Gel

 

 

You will need at least three sheets, or one roll of 3/4 CTB

Gel to Change these lights from Tungsten to Daylight.

3/4 CTB Gel on Arri Light

 

 

Another option for your KEY Light is KINO Lighting Systems.

 

 

Kino Divas are great Key lights. Very 
effective when shooting in Mixed lighting (Daylight & Tungsten). You can order them with both Daylight and Tungsten Bulbs.
 
Price $1,200 with one set of Bulbs

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kino has also introduced an
LED version of their DIVA light.
 
Price $2,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

In most lighting set ups, you will need a large piece of White "Foam Core".  This hangs from a "C-Stand" and acts as your "Fill".

 

 
C-Stand
Foam Core Price $10
 


You will also need 2 C-stands
one for the Back Light and another to hold the Foam Core "Fill".  
Price $129 each








Most Background Lights need a
"Cookie"
 
Cookie
This creates a pattern on the background. 

It helps separate your subject from the wall. Cookies come in many forms. Wooden as pictured on the right, Plastic Sheets or Rolls that are place in front of the light. They can also be "Home-made".






DVworkshops Learn "Hands-on" Lighting in every Workshop
Here they are adjusting the Background "Cookie"



.Black Wrap
 
 
 
Cookies can be "Home Made" by purchasing Black Wrap, and cutting your own pattern. Then attach the wrap to the Barndoor of the Background Light.
Summary  
  • 3 Lights and a "Fill" Card make up a Basic Light Kit
  • LED Lights are flexible and do not generate any heat
  • LED Lights can be switched between Outdoor and Tungsten Color temperatures.
  • Get a "Grid" for the Litepanel 1X1 Key Light
  • Arri Light kit package is an affordable alternative.
  • Arri "hot lights" add heat to the environment
  • ARRI lights in this Kit need 3/4 CTB Gels to change Color Temperature from Indoor to Outdoor light.
  • Use an Eggcrate on the Chimera Soft Box
  • Warm up your Key Light with 1/8 CTO
  • Add a "Cookie" or Pattern to your background
  • Kino Lights are a good light source, and do not generate any heat.
  • Kino Lights can be switched from Daylight to Tungsten by Changing or mixing the bulbs.

Most of the photos in this newsletter were taken during DVworkshops 4-Day Video Crash Course and Video camera Bootcamps.
 
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DVworkshops is located
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We also provide private on-location training

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Please feel free to call us for help at
(415) 810-5934

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