Oct 31 2007
Rifa Madness
Interactive lighting tutorials from Lowel Lighting - many featuring Lowel’s excellent Rifa soft box.
The advantages of soft lights are legion - the advantage of Rifas is convenience: they set up in seconds - pop open like an umbrella - and you can carry 2 or 3 (with stands) under one arm.
But you don’t need to go mad - a small rifa 44 and a reflector is often all I use to light a simple interview. The 44 can also be lamped for 12V.
Ross Lowell is also of course the author of the inspirational lighting tome, “Matters of Light and Depth“.
[UPDATE 7/23] In a comment Paul mentions the new rifa eX’s allow for the the use of compact fluorescents in Rifas. A nice feature to include - but I won’t be springing for the $90 upgrade. Using compact fluorescents adds considerably to set-up time, and you have to transport the bulbs with care. Given that compact fluorescents don’t put out much heat, there are cheaper, more convenient alternatives. Here is a “professional studio light kit” that includes two four-lamp fixture with tripods and diffusers. If you factor out the cost of the daylight balanced bulbs the units come out around $40 each.
Thanks for the Lowell link, very informative. Someone recently recommended a video series by Bill Holshevnikoff. Do you think that would be a good next step to get me more confident with lighting fixtures and techniques?
I have the Holshevnikoff Power of Lighting tapes. Lowel have essentially copied the most useful section - where he moves lights round on a clockface and shows the different effects. If you have a full lighting/grip kit then the PoL tapes are worth getting. A little dated - they must be 10 years old at least - the principles haven’t changed but style and fixtures have. If I was assembling a kit today I would stick with rifas and divas. I haven’t used anything over 750W in years.
The most useful light fixture I have is the one that sits on top of the camera. I find an on-camera light essential to provide smooth fill in run and gun style shooting, and a great eyelight for more elaborate set-ups.
There’s a great DVD on the market (BFI) about great cinematographers -those who paint sets with light and even the noir directors who used shadows.
Absolutely fab.
While I figure I might know the basics, I’m fascinated by those who have the ability to create moods and tone - from docs to films e.g. Se7en, the Godfather.
You tag”lighting” in your posts mate and I’m at the front seat
FYI Lowel lighting have extended the capability of the popular Rifa softlight system by providing the flexibility of Rifas with daylight fixtures. Checkout the new Rifa eXchange - upgrade your existing Rifas for $70-90:
http://www.lowel.com/rifaexchange/
Hi,
I really like the piece of work i saw up there.
I want to be a profesional in lighting and i stumbled into ur site while searching.
please tell me what to do.
Benny