Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Mobile Lighting Solutions
Build the location lighting setup that suits your style
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| Selected Resources: Battery-Driven Power Packs |
| Selected battery packs can drive up to two heads and are available with symmetric and/or asymmetric output distribution. Other battery-operated models may be available. Kits may include only one head plus battery pack. Bowens Explorer 1500 (www.bowensusa.com) Broncolor Mobil A2R (www.bronimaging.com) Comet CBm-1200 & PMT-1200a (www.comet-usa.com) Hensel Porty (www.henselusa.com) Elinchrom Ranger RX & Ranger Quadra (www.elinchrom.us) Profoto AcuteB, AcuteB2, Pro-B2, Pro-B3, Pro-7b (www.profoto-usa.com) Speedotron Explorer 1500 Digital (www.speedotron.com) |
| Battery-Driven Lights: Shoe-Mount vs. Monolight/Power Pack | |
 The decision for the right portable solution should not be made lightly, no pun intended. Think of it as the five C’s: Choosing the system that’s appropriate to the shoot; Comfort level (how comfortable are you with the system—should you anticipate a long learning curve, and can you comfortably and conveniently transport it?); Capability (the system’s ability to deliver the performance you need); Cost (you can get a competent system without going broke, but should you spend more to get more?); Compromise (what you’re willing to give up?). Note: Features listed may apply only to select lights in each category. |
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| Shoe-Mount | Monolight & Power Pack |
| Advantages: • A familiar and expedient light source • Compact and lightweight • Relatively inexpensive • TTL-dedicated operation keyed to camera’s electronics—including full control of multiple lights (via the camera and remote triggering) • TTL-corrected white balance • Often fast recycling • Spare batteries are relatively inexpensive and always accessible • Optional high-voltage battery packs for enhanced performance • Versatile: multiple operating modes (including stroboscopic bursts) • Increasing support with relatively inexpensive light shapers of all sorts Disadvantages: • Output may be inadequate or may require high ISO values or less than optimal exposure settings • Lack of effective modeling light (those high-speed “modeling” blips are impractical) • May overheat when used repeatedly at a fast pace, especially when enclosed in a light shaper without adequate ventilation, slowing the pace of a shoot • Possible color shift to blue (esp. at short flash durations) • High-end shoe-mounts and handle-mount strobes can be more costly than some monolights Primary Use: • Lifestyle & portraiture • Tabletop/still life • Situations requiring the lighting to be fully mobile, such as weddings and events • Convenient fill light in outdoor settings • Photo shoots in relatively small space |
Advantages: • More power to deal with light loss when using light shapers, and at greater distances from the subject, while allowing smaller ƒ-stops for enhanced depth of field • Numerous choices in light shapers (umbrellas, softboxes, grids, etc.) to define the light hitting the subject; • UV-coated flash-tube option for correct color balance (may come with the heads); constant color temperature regardless of light output settings (meaning you can use short flash durations without incurring color shifts) • Fan-cooled heads that stay relatively cool during prolonged use to ensure uninterrupted activity • Consistent output • Looks more professional (this may be the deal-breaker for some) Disadvantages: • More versatile systems can be costly • Bulky • Camera exposures must be made in manual mode (a negative only for those who prefer TTL flash) • May require a flash meter (which can help to determine both exposure and contrast, especially for outdoor fill-flash—so not entirely a negative) • Requires a separate heavy-duty case and may need to be shipped as baggage when traveling Primary Use: • Any remote studio-like setting, which is dry and where lights remain stationary for definable periods • Anything from small to relatively large, open spaces • Photo shoots made at a rapid pace over extended periods • Shoots requiring large light shapers • Shoots requiring a diversity of flash heads (power packs only) |
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