Flood light/video light?

Just curious - what do people use for a source of "constant" lighting? Flood light? Video lights? LED lights? Do you normally drag lights/umbrellas to the reception?

We should not be bringing constant lighting to a reception. That would interfere with the mood and ambiance of the venue that the bride might have worked so hard to achieve. The only lighting I bring to a reception is my flashes. Sometimes I use a light stand. Just don't bring constant lighting unless you want to piss people off.

picturecrazy wrote in post #3899860
We should not be bringing constant lighting to a reception. That would interfere with the mood and ambiance of the venue that the bride might have worked so hard to achieve. The only lighting I bring to a reception is my flashes. Sometimes I use a light stand. Just don't bring constant lighting unless you want to piss people off.

Do you tell that to the videographers, too?

TheGreatDivorce wrote in post #3900855
Do you tell that to the videographers, too?

That's actually where I got the idea. I used the videographer's light to capture this:

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TheGreatDivorce wrote in post #3900855
Do you tell that to the videographers, too?

if they need to do it, fine... but we don't, so we shouldn't. Most videographers I've worked with don't bring lights for the same reason. Just like many of us don't even use flashes, even when it's dark.

After just watching masters of wedding photography 2 it seems alot of photographers are now using constant lights. Maybe not at receptions but a few of the photographers on the dvd (cant remember which ones sorry, Might have been Yervant) were using them for bride portraits and they do look amazing. one had barndoors on them and controlled the light and some of the images looked fantastic.

Anyone else tried/use these video lights?

jjmucker wrote in post #4004696
After just watching masters of wedding photography 2 it seems alot of photographers are now using constant lights. Maybe not at receptions but a few of the photographers on the dvd (cant remember which ones sorry, Might have been Yervant) were using them for bride portraits and they do look amazing. one had barndoors on them and controlled the light and some of the images looked fantastic.

Anyone else tried/use these video lights?

I'm thinking about doing it. The video lights aren't that expensive.

what is it you actually buy. is it just a basic video light on a monopod controlled by a battery power source. that seems to be the one they were using on the dvd.
Like i said, the images looked fantastic with it

I have a friend who has a very successful commercial video company. He's got enough lights to fill a small house. He let me try out all his stuff.

These are the things I learned from trying all his gear out.

-The first thing I realized is that most need to be plugged in. Not so great for dynamic photos, or when you're crunched for time.
-The ones that take batteries are pretty darn heavy. Maybe not heavy to hold one for two minutes in a shoot, but quite heavy to add to your overall kit. Even a set of small handheld lights came in a large case that would be awkward to carry in addition to all your photo gear.
-Those buggers are HOT. Not only hot to touch, but whoever is being hit by the light can feel like they are being baked in an oven! holy smokes i was sweating after 30 seconds. This was a large powerful light, but in the heat of summer, if I were in a hot non-breathable wedding dress, the LAST thing I would want is more heat, no matter how little.
-It can really change the ambiance of a room. This is what I really didn't like.

After trying it all out (any of it is free for me to use) I chose to use none. ALL photographic lighting can be achieved with flashes and are less obtrusive, smaller, and lighter. I decided if I could do all the creative lighting I need with my existing EX flashes, why add a bunch of stuff into the kit to make me less mobile and flexible?

Valid point Lloyd. i'd imagine they things to be very warm. when i was referring to the masters of wedding dvd, they have like 2 assistants at least helping them so it does take a load off the photographer.

So your saying you could get the same desired results from your flashes than these constant video lights? that'd be neat.
If i can find some examples of the photos im referring too i will post them up.
right now im away for my dinner. Yum Yum

After my last reception I said I'd get one as the light it creates is fantastic .. I'm borrowing a stage light that the band used during the last wedding I shot and my assistant will be following the couple around with it during their first dance, they think it's a great idea.
Mike

jjmucker wrote in post #4004881
So your saying you could get the same desired results from your flashes than these constant video lights? that'd be neat.

absolutely. A light is a light. The only difference in the light aside from colour temperature is that one is constant and one isn't. Flash can be just as soft, just as flattering, just as smooth, just as pleasing as any constant lighting. Not to mention, it balances a lot better with daylight. Which is why I don't understand why people want to use constant lighting... unless they are unwilling to learn how to use their flashes effectively, or scared of it.

The only thing a constant light can do that a flash cannot is motion blur.

mmahoney wrote in post #4004885
After my last reception I said I'd get one as the light it creates is fantastic .. I'm borrowing a stage light that the band used during the last wedding I shot and my assistant will be following the couple around with it during their first dance, they think it's a great idea.
Mike

mike, what I'm trying to say is that you can create the same lighting in your photographs with a flash instead of a video light. You already have a flash, so why not use it?

I typically use a few home depot shop or work lights and plug them in ----pick up about 4-6 of the double lights. They work great! They light the entire room up. Perfect for keeping everyone awake.

OK--I am only joking. But back in my video production days we did have on camera lights and a 3 light system set up----but I cringe at thinking about photogs using such a setup and making such a scene on the big day.

picturecrazy wrote in post #4004939
mike, what I'm trying to say is that you can create the same lighting in your photographs with a flash instead of a video light. You already have a flash, so why not use it?

I wish I could get the same control with my flash as I can see getting with a constant source .. you do have flash techniques that I simply have not mastered yet.

I tried flash at my first reception (assistant with a triggered 580 across the room) and most were hit & miss, we tried a few tests before the first dance and settled on a exposure which subsequently was not ideal as the couple moved around.
Mike