Taken with no flash but not ambient light either :)

jwp721 wrote in post #12123386
Be sure to tell your wife this the next time you go into the baby's room with your camera.

I guess you could also take a picture of your baby with the light from an acetylene torch if you wanted... just because you can is not always a good enough reason.

John

Unfortunately at the time I ran out of oxy so the torch didn't work and I didn't want the black carbon floaters when I ignite the acetylene on the bed sheets LOL

If you look at the camera settings the light was dimmed extremely low to provide soft light.

I want full control of light so no limitations on my part. LED light source worked out amazingly well for something so portable.

Before you make assumptions you should explore new things rather than slamming this extremely versatile system. I am certain you've never done this so I challenge you to try it. I've got a tonne of modifiers/strobes/spee​dlites etc but this little light is an eye opener with pleasing results and it fits in a large pocket

AlanU wrote in post #12125198
If you look at the camera settings the light was dimmed extremely low to provide soft light.

Not sure what you mean by 'soft', but the light was not that soft in the shot...the shadow cast by the infant's collar on his neck is clear indication of that...

• the penumbra (shadow edge) is fairly well defined, indicative of small size of the source relative to the subject, and
  
• shadow area is fairly dark and contrasty, which is an indication that you used it fairly close (degree of falloff is greater at shorter distances)

I'm also a bit confused by what you mean by "soft" light. I'm guessing that you're speaking of intensity and not actually how hard or soft the light is?

jra wrote in post #12126106
I'm also a bit confused by what you mean by "soft" light. I'm guessing that you're speaking of intensity and not actually how hard or soft the light is?

light to shadow transition of the face. The light is predictable wyswyg as you shoot. Not concerned about the hard light on the neck area since this is not what the eye is drawn too.

I'm not gonna use my 5 foot octa or 7 foot PLM to take such a photograph. The handheld LED video light took seconds to shoot.

Instead of shooting a flash I had a faint soft light that doesn't kill the eyes for such a shot. Here I am using this type of lighting when I can use all of my other gear on hand.

My first guess would have been a big screen TV.

Actually I thought about getting some of those cheapie LED video lights for shooting products, tent box style. Probably eliminate more trial and error with multi strobes. In a nutshell, it makes a decent continuous lighting in certain situations. Based on my research, the flicker rate could be an issue therefore long shutter speed is recommended. Anyhow, the technology is still changing. Still too early for me to jump on board.

Alan I would give up. The forum elite has decided your idea has no merit.

I can see many uses for such a device, thanks for the information and your thoughts. Some of us took it
in the spirit it was intended and filed away the information for future use.

I dig the photo. That's all I'll add to the convo.

Versatility in adding fill light for indoors is quite nice.

Natural light only

Now there's a good use.. fill / rim lighting in public spaces.. not as obtrusive as a flash going off.. though it does require an "assistant". I like that idea.

Thanks for the info.

An easily portable, battery powered light certainly has value!!!

Don't be so quick to judge others' motivations. I duuno about other folks, but I was merely trying to understand the benefits and characteristics of this light, to see how it might fit into my arsenal. The statement at the top of this post summarizes my conclusions.