http://youtu.be/5Ua0o8MRYqg

I need help with lighting. I am going to start using my Go Pro 2 for the camera now so I ll have 1080p capabilities. I have shop lights , but they throw off yellow light.

Any hints or tips on lighting and anything else you guys think I should do or recommend ?


Thanks
Todd

Get a couple GUNMOJO.com Flashlights.  Shine them up on the Ceiling.  Done.

You need to light from three sides and diffuse the light.

Get some lights like this...

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100354511/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053




Use whatever bulb suits your tastes.  Most people use some flavor of CFL.  There are different varieties that cast different types of light.  Pick whatever you like best.

Then place a lights on the left, the right, and above the subject, at distances that suit your taste.  Use paper towels held with masking tape over the front of the lights to diffuse and soften the light.  Careful not to start a fire (I suspect this is why CFLs are used, less heat).

Don't be too concerned if they seem very close.  Remember that if it's out of frame, the viewer is none the wiser.  Interview lights are often no more than a foot or two from the person being interviewed, on all sides of them.  They're practically in a little box.  But the viewer doesn't see that.  They only see the subject properly lighted.  So just place the light in a place that lights your subject properly.


-T.

My 2 cents, the yellow shop lights work best, wrap the wire safety shields with baking paper. It's able to handle the heat without setting alight and it will diffuse the light. Bring the lights nearly as close as you can get without getting in frame. For instance my holster photos, the lights are about 1ft. away from the rigs, more light to a degree is better. I use 2 lights one from each side for my pics, I could probably use 4 just as well but I never really did. For the distance your shooting on the table in your video I think your looking at 4 of those yellow cube shop lights, with baking paper diffusers. Color wise check the camera but most will allow you to adjust for the type of lighting, which will allow you to a certain degree to adjust for your lights whether they are a little warm or cold in temperature. I've got my camera setup for my lights and I still tend to edit just a little in the end before posting them to get it just right. If I had something a little more manual camera wise I could handle it all on the camera and it would be a little better.

Luke

Those shadows are still pretty sharp.  How many lights are you using and where are they placed?


-T.

You need a third above.  And I'd use 55w CFLs if I were doing it.

You should also diffuse the light if you haven't already.  Paper towels work well.  Copier paper works too, but does block more light from coming though.


-T.


EDIT:  To add, the lights to the sides should be almost, but not quite, at table level.  You want light coming in from both sides very close to horizontally.  Then your key light will be above the subject.

This would be a different setup if the camera was horizontal with the subject, but in this case you're closer to vertical, looking down.

Found these while researching CNC, thought you might like to know of them:

https://www.inventables.com/technologies/light-diffuser-films

These Light Diffuser Films are one or two side diffuser film products designed to break up and distribute light evenly. The film will reduce led hot-spots typically associated with LEDs. There are two main grades, a one sided matte clear film and a one or two sided translucent, matte finish film. They are designed to be used for different back lighting applications and come in a variety of thicknesses.

Matte 1 sided (DFPM) and Matte 2 sided (DFMM) differ in light transparency and haze. Matte one sided gives you 87% Light Transparency with 88% Haze while Matte two sided gives you 66% Light Transparency with 89% Haze. In summary 2 sided matte diffuses more. This material is also available in two sided matte roll form for applications requiring a wider and longer continuous piece.