What lights do you recommend

[Jeremy_Sawatzky]

I am filming guitar lessons and im finding without proper lighting it is hard to get depth to the image and make it more interesting. We have just been using basic work lights mounted on the ceiling to light our subject (studio setup) with a basic backdrop behind him. This makes this image so flat.

This is one of our very basic youtube lessons (members and dvds are much better haha)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPKOQfHXGcY

The look i want to get is having the subject lit in a soft light with some nice edges highlighting strings and guitar outlines. Its important to maintain a clear view for the audience. I want the backdrop to be near black almost like there is nothing behind him. We will add some guitars and amps and other equipment behind him to change it up but i want it to look like thers nothing behind him (i realize a new backdrop will be needed)

What kind of lights would u guys recommend? - help me spice up this bland image! (oh and new cameras are coming shortly hehe)

 

[Andy Jarosz]

They key here is going to be physical separation between him and the background, so get him as far away as possible. I wouldn't make the background totally black, throw a inkie and a cookie or something on it to spice it up. Some fog might look good too.

From there, you could almost put a soft key strait down lighting him, which would be kinda cool and dramatic but light him well at the same time. Add backlight and kicker to your liking, it's purely beauty in this context but further separates him from the background. Then you can throw on a separate, hard light for the guitar itself to get that defined look you want, I don't think a bare light would particularly match so you might want to consider a light diffusion. The thing to watch out for is any shadow his hand and arm make on it. Try putting any light on the right of him to avoid this.

I think a great effect would be a red backlight for the guitar itself.

Just remember there's no "right" way to do this. This is all just what I would consider doing, keep playing around until you get something you like.

 

[Rick Darge]

Dedo & Kino

 

[Chris S. Alexander]

I agree with Rick, Kino Flo lights would be great. As you said, soft lighting on the subject is key (I would go with Tungsten tubes). For the background, as you said a different backdrop would be better. To give the "items" in the background (amps and so on) more definition you may want to use harder lights (my preference is Arri, but there are other nice brands as well).

I have always found that a more harshly lit background can bring out the softly lit subjects. Obviously there is a line though, so you'll have to find that for yourself.

Best of luck!

 

[Jeremy_Sawatzky]

thanks for the opinions. my main problem is space i can maybe get the subject 3 feet away from the backdrop due to our small studio setup. i think tho with some creative lighting and a different backdrop i might be able to pull it off.

 

[Kim Frank]

I'd go with a china ball, chinese lantern, with a bunch of CFL's insight or take a porcellan socket and a 500 W bulb, but the CFLs would be daylight, what helps digtal sensors. Kino Flo recently released some with a very good IRE level. A chna ball has a quick fall of, so your backround would nicely seperate and at the same time you get a very handy, small and cheap fixture. I use it very often in small spaces, portraits and for interviews

 

[Jeremy_Sawatzky]

i think im looking to get tungston lights, they look the best in my studio. what do u guys think of a light kit like this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298604-REG/Impact_401470.html

or something like this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/638599-REG/Impact_QL300_2KII.html

my budget isnt too big so these look like nice options

 

[Richard Foster]

The second with softboxes and fresnels is much, much better, and will give you much more control. The first is just photofloods and umbrellas and very hard to control the light especially in a very small space.

 

[Jeremy_Sawatzky]

thanks richard after reading some more that looks like a good kit to me. I am in a very small space - cant be more than 12 by 12. so control is very important. I think i would use those two lights and softboxes to light the subject than one of these to provide the hard light:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/157757-REG/Arri_530100_150_Watt_Tungsten_Fresnel.html

whats your opinion on that?

 

[Paul Hazlett]

You just have to watch putting up hot lights in a small space. it will heat up really quick.

 

[Peter Strietmann]

Kinos overhead with egg crates and barn door it down. Preferably divas.

 

[Jeremy_Sawatzky]

unfortunatly divas wont be in my price range for a while - id like to get started with a solid light kit for under a grand if possible. I like the 450$ soft box kit with 2 lights and the 290$ arri hard light. Egg crates would definitly be used to bring the light in on the subject. The last light i would like to use would be a nice overhead to put sort of a glow on his head and shoulders. what lights would u guys recommend? this light really needs to be cheaper if possible.

 

[Paul Hazlett]

l.ook at coollights website they have led's and affordable flo lights