Episode 10 – Even Cheaper and Cooler DIY Lighting
Video October 14th, 2007Continuing on with budget lighting, we explore using Fluorescent and LED lights, along with using available light, bouncing it with a reflector. These setups will work great for interviews, video casting, vlogging, and the like. These lights use less power and also generate much less heat then big halogen work lights. And the price can’t be beat. We also show the benefits of adjusting White Balance on your camera, with lots of before and after shots. If you are shooting independent movies, stay tuned at the end where we show lighting for shots using the interior of a car.
The LED lights are from Costco and are the LUMEN brand item#170530- 2 Wireless LED under cabinet lights for $12.95. They also come with 6 Duracell AAA batteries in the package. I just taped them together for the cast, but I plan on buying some more and modding them to be a panel with 40 LEDs or so.
The Fluorescent lights are from a suggestion I saw from Walter Graff, who mentioned buying inexpensive Flo’s for interview lighting. I bought 2 Utilitech 18″ Under Cabinet Lights for $8.95 each, from Lowe’s Item#240193. And for mounting I bought a 5 Tool Holder for the garage, the type for holding brooms and rakes. I cut the metal strip into 5 pieces, attached them to the back of the lights in a temporary fashion using Velcro and used the 5 clamps to snap around very inexpensive mic stands. It works great.




January 3rd, 2008 at 8:59 am
Excellent information. I have seen Walter’s use of the flourescent lights but your explanation was great. I have also used some of the compact flourescents in a silver work light reflector for a hair light. they have spring clamps built in. I hadn’t considered the LED’s but that looks like a good project.
keep up the good work (always looking to $ave)
January 28th, 2008 at 6:55 am
You are the man! I love these video tutorials. Would love to see more!
November 20th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I saw your photos about led and fluorescent lights, and notice you constantly adjust the white balance and seems to be pretty simple, however, I still have not managed to get that down correctly. My white balance efforts never work right.
Using a Nikon D200 – any chance you can do a segment on how to set the white balance properly with changing light?
I would be forever grateful.
Thank you and keep up the great work.