A light kit is an all-in-one package of lights, stands and other lighting accessories designed to provide filmmakers with the equipment necessary to accomplish their lighting tasks. The majority of light kits are general-purpose; they are intended to provide enough versatility to cover a range of situations, with multi-tasking lights such as the spot/flood adjustable and a softbox. Some kits are highly specialized and are assembled to achieve a high-quality result for one specific task, such as the on-camera interview; an accent light would be found in this kit. Most people use a kit as a starting point and customize it for their unique needs, adding whatever gadgets and gizmos they require.

Like new cars, light kits come priced and equipped in a dizzying array of price points, quality and level of standard equipment. They may be purchased from an online retailer or at your local photography shop. You may also find a good deal at a video production rental house looking to unload some older or redundant used stock.

Kits can be found with one, two, three or more lights. The kits come with the light heads, collapsible stands that extend to 6 feet or more, electrical extension cords for each light, barndoors to control the light spill and sometimes a small selection of gels to change the color of the light to help set the mood (e.g., red for anger, blue for sad, etc.). A carrying case is usually included, but the actual lamps usually need to be purchased separately.

Many light kits come with or can be later equipped with accessories that can help control the light to serve a specific purpose. These items can block, diffuse, reflect or change the color of the light, providing nearly infinite control of the illumination. Some of the more common items found in a light kit include:

• Umbrella: These specially-built umbrellas are covered in a special silver or gold metallic-finished fabric. The open umbrella is mounted next to the light head, and the light is aimed into the apex of the opening, resulting in a nice, even flood-type light.
• Barndoors: Named for the building entrance they resemble, these are small, semi-permanently mounted steel doors positioned around the light head. They're hinged, so they may be moved back and forth into the light stream, blocking light in some places and allowing light in others.
• Flags: Kind of remote barndoors, flags are black, small- to medium-sized panels in infinite sizes and shapes. Mounted on long, flexible arms, they are usually attached to the light or light stand. They're used to block unwanted light from highly-specific locations.
• Gels: Meant to be mounted close to the lamp so light passes through them, gels are made from a special, translucent heat-resistant material in a rainbow of colors. Gels can create moods, correct color or diffuse light (the gel is deeply frosted, removing hotspots).

These accessories are the most common, but there are also accessories for mounting lights to ceilings, doors, bookcases, chair backs, etc.; electric dimmers; and heat-resistant fabric to diffuse light. More esoteric accessories are also available from the aftermarket or can be made in your garage.

Be careful when making your purchase, as a good, durable, quality set of lights isn't cheap and will usually outlast three or four cameras. After all, buying a good light kit is easier than rotating a studio!

Randy Hansen is a television news chief photographer and is often in the dark about many things. But lighting isn't one of them.