Many posts have come from newbies and intermediates about 'What lights should I get'. As always the 'sweat factor' is high and most of the posters are either ready to run out and sell the farm for a kit they aren't ready for or completely shut down from being so depressed they can't afford pro lights. Well many of the pro's particularly myself have talked at length about how until you've got both the expertise and jobs coming in to justify the move to pro lighting you can do a very good job lighting on the cheap.
So I'm going to let young Caleb Pike show you his 'ghetto lighting' setup. He doesn't call it that, I do. Because it was done rather nicely with stuff anyone can buy in the hardware dept. or at a garage sale. Now he does 'cheat' in that he's using a Canon 7D SLR, but the techniques he's using will work for your 'happy cam' too!
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NOTE: There are a couple of safety issues with his setup that I would make these changes;
1. Do not use wax paper with tungsten lighting. It will burn. A much better looking (and safer) alternative is Vellum Paper. I've used it with both Halogen and Tota Lights and it is very tough. You can buy it in any decent craft store.
2. When using foil with lighting especially shop lights with Halogen bulbs, double if not triple up the sheets to help dissipate the heat.
3. Use thick leather work gloves when handing hot lights.
4. Unless you've got a lot of space between walls and Halogen lighting, I suggest you use something else. Halogen work lights are the Indy filmmaker's workhorse but they get really hot and if the bulb bursts you've got problems. Using them in large spaces or outdoors is okay.
5. Try fluorescent bulbs. Many of the bulbs made now can fit into standard light fixtures, they're inexpensive and they range from 40w (equivalent) to 250w (equivalent). They light much cooler than traditional lighting and they come in indoor and daylight intensities (indoor 22-2300K, daylight 6500K).
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