HDSLR: Shooting video with a DSLR Part 5

Hey folks. We’re continuing our HDSLR: Shooting video with a DSLR series with the fifth part today. In part 4 last time we talked about focusing techniques and practices using what is known as the follow focus system. You can refer to that post here in case you missed it.

Today we will be talking about lighting in video. For shooting video with a DSLR, you have a range of lights and light modifiers to choose from but I’m gonna handle the most popular and effective ones.

Open face lights

Open face lights are continuous light sources that are tungsten-halogen quartz fixtures made from high quality lightweight aluminum with high efficiency aluminized reflector that provides high intensity in a small package, eliminating the need for spread lenses. As the name implies, open-face lights have no lens and are therefore slightly brighter per watt than a Fresnel.

A Fresnel will focus the light beam through a lens. The open face will give a flood or wash of light, which can be controlled through various light modifiers.

Dimmable LED video lights

Dimmable LED video lights are compact and portable soft lights that can be mounted on top of your camera or can be secured on a light stand, and you can even hold one in your hand or have an assistant or a friend hold it for you and walk around the set to illuminate the needed spots as the camera moves. The light comes with its own battery which mounts straight at the back and can be un-mounted and replaced with another in case the first dies, if you’re the kind that always keeps a spare for rainy days.

Different color gels can be attached to this kind of light easily and efficiently so you can manipulate the color temperature however you please.

The good thing about these dimmable LED lights is that they don’t heat up and as well as being highly portable, so they’re perfect for on location reportage and documentary video as well as events and weddings. The light is soft and cool so you can get it pretty close to people with irritating them.

Video DSLR light modifiers

• Barn doors: barn doors can be used to control the spread of light and can be modified to give a more focused beam. Barn doors can get really hot with extended periods of use, so be sure you are really careful when adjusting them. You can also wear gloves.

• Softboxes: softboxes give a more soft light and nice un-defined shadows. In this case, you might need to move the light closer to your model or scene that you’re shooting to get the desirable amount of illumination.

• Umbrellas: this is another way to control your light. These are continuous light / high heat specific umbrellas to use for your HDSLR photography since a regular umbrella won’t last and can actually catch fire from light heat. Umbrellas give a really nice, soft light but they need to be moved in really close to the model or scene to provide sufficient illumination.

• Diffusion filters: these are basically square or rectangular frames that come with wider rectangular open face lights and are meant to illuminate larger spaces rather than people. These are placed in front of the light to give softer light and shadows.

Here’s is a link of some video DSLR photography lighting equipment and light modifiers. There’s a huge range of brands and types so you might wanna pick the right one for you in terms of price and quality, as well as the sort of work you will be doing:

Shop for video DSLR photography on Amazon

Well guys, that’s it for today. If you wanna catch up on previous posts of this series, here are the links below:

• HDSLR: Shooting video with a DSLR Part 1
• HDSLR: Shooting video with a DSLR Part 2
• HDSLR: Shooting video with a DSLR Part 3
• HDSLR: Shooting video with a DSLR Part 4

More will be coming your way soon, so stay tuned…