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Re: Technical Bible for Lighting
Old 04-14-2006, 08:09 PM   #9 (permalink)
eldor
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I agree with Chip 100% here. You always want more lights. Always. Likewise you always want more modifiers whether they by soft boxes, snoots, barn doors, grids, whatever.

If I only had two lights, I'd probably use one as my main and get a good reflector to use as my fill. The second light I'd use as a "technical" light (as Chip described it). It would be used either as a hair light, accent/kicker light or even background light. Depending on the mood I'm trying to convey or heck, even my own mood at the time.

Don't think for one moment that you need a third light. But you will certainly want one. If not now, then soon. (And then you'll go through the whole thing again with a fourth light.) You can make great shots even with one light. You simply make the best you can with what you have.

I moved into my new Hensel system from Alien Bees... I had four B800's and two B400's. I never used all of them at the same time, but I have used five - main, fill, hair and two on the background.

So when I ordered my Hensel system I got the two-light Integra Pro Plus kit and an extra head. And also ordered a Premium Porty AS/RC kit (that's one head) with a second head. So I'll have a total of five heads that I could use all together in the studio. Eventually, as budget allows, I'll probably add to this system.

My Porty kit hasn't arrived yet (FedEx didn't deliver today in Quebec because of "Good Friday" so I should have it on Tuesday) but one of the things I intend to do with it is to use one of the Porty heads on a boom as a hair light. The Integra Pro Plus is heavy (compared with Alien Bees) and I'd really feel better with something lighter up there on a boom. The Porty might just be excellent for that. Of course that is if I can live with a bit longer recycling time which I'm pretty sure I can.

Anyway, I guess this is a bit long-winded, but the bottom line is that no matter how many lights you have you'll always be wishing for more, thinking what other effects you migth be able to get.

I guess this gives you more to decide on...

Eldor
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