Comments

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 4/6/2005, 9:06 PM
There's a DVD on lighting by vicmilt here on the forums that's being sold on VASST.com .

There's also a lighting DVD that they had posted on the forums a while back - DV enlightenment was the name - just google it, and you'll find it. That was supposed to be pretty good.

Dave
Spot|DSE wrote on 4/6/2005, 9:09 PM
Check out Vic Milt's lighting DVD, it's priceless, IMO. Not because it's a VASST DVD, but because it's the first DVD that showed me a LOT of things I didn't already know, using a variety of tools.
John Jackman's book is great, and the Elite videos on lighting, while cheezy, offer some great stuff in the middle of all the noise, IMO.
We buy our Osram and Sylvania lamps from SpecialtyOptical.com. Good prices, GREAT service.

[edit]I recommended this in another thread, don't know why I didn't mention it here; get a big doll, or a stuffed animal with a plastic face. Set up some shots. Plastic face is because it will reflect somewhat like a human face with highlights. With the various shot scenarios, shoot them to tape, experiment with apertures and shutterspeeds. I try to shoot my shutters for indoor stuff at 1/60 or 1/100, depending on what it is, and adjust aperture to match. Going outdoors, high motion, I try for faster speeds. Experimenting is the only way you'll get much of this under your belt, and it can be a blast, if you're not feeling pressured.
Gonzoman wrote on 4/6/2005, 11:07 PM
Vic's DVD sounds wonderful Spot - I'll have to pick that up when it becomes available.

I sometimes buy bulbs from TopBulb.com - not sure how competitive they are but might be a good bookmark for you.
David_Kuznicki wrote on 4/7/2005, 5:31 AM
Spot--

There's not going to be any sort of 'introductory' pricing on the DVD, is there?* :)

At $130, I have no doubt that it's a steal... but I'm also betting that I'm going to be shelling out for a Vegas upgrade at the same time the DVD becomes available. :(

David.

*Note: This question is NOT meant to rile up anyone in the forum. I'm just curious.
rextilleon wrote on 4/7/2005, 5:58 AM
A suggestion. Get that light kit out of the box, get your hands on a field monitor, and just light every conceivable situation you can---Experiment--I found that the key to learning the art of lighting. I begain with a Lowell Kit many years ago and that is what I did. When I ran into a problem, I would ask my local guru. Good luck and have fun!
Birdman wrote on 4/7/2005, 10:45 AM
Coming from a "still photo" background, I can tell you there are many, many variations on lighting...and a lot of it has to do with the "mood" you're looking for.....the old standard in still photo was a 3 to 1 ratio for the front lights, ie, your main light measures 3 times more intensity than the "fill". It's alway nice to have a background light for separation of the subject from the background. Keep in mind, this is still photo lighting I'm talking about, but the same seems to hold true in video lighting, assuming that your subject(s) are not in motion. Like I said, there are innumerable varaitions on lighting schemes. I'd suggest picking up a still photo lighting book and then experimenting...unlike still photos (prior to digital cams), you'll know what you're getting with a simple playback...or better yet on a monitor...
Regards - David Bird
FuTz wrote on 4/7/2005, 10:17 PM
... and to continue on what's just being said above, when you start figuring things out, try a play at some theatre sometimes. These guys really make lights reinforce stories so everything goes in the same (dramatic) direction. May give you somne nice ideas.