BLOG QUESTION ADV: APUTURE 60X

What are the three key features of the Aputure 60x and 60d? How are they different from each other?

Some key features of the Aputure 60x include: It supports ac power, v-mount batteries, and npf batteries. The 60d and 60x also includes a Bowens mount adapter, and you can adjust the focus lens using a knob on the back of the light. It also is bi-color, meaning its color temperature is adjustable (2700k-6500k). With the 60d, it is fixed to daylight (5600k), which is useful for daylight environments. It is also brighter compared to the 60x, but if you're looking for color flexibility, the 60x is ideal.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: APUTURE 600X & 600c

What are three key features of the Aputure 600x and 600c? How are they different from each other?

Three features of the Aputure 600x include that it has bicolor lights, it gives plenty of lighting output, and it allows you to play around with different effects. Bicolor lights are helpful as they allow you to change your color temperature, and you can also change the intensity of the light. Three features of the Aputure 600c include an advanced HSI mode (color wheel), a single knob that controls everything instead of 2, and a preset mode that allows you to save light settings for later use. The 600x color temperature ranges from 2700k-6500k. The 600c has less output compared to the 600x, but when it comes to RGB output, the 600c has more. On the 600c, you have to select the setting you want to adjust, and then use the same knob to adjust the settings.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: APUTURE 300x

What are three key features of the Aputure 300x?

Three features on the Aputure 300x include 4 different buttons that affect the lighting/effects, channel/intensity, group/frequency, and wireless/trigger features. There are two dials, with the top one controlling the brightness with the menu button on the middle, and the bottom one controlling the color temperature with a preset button in the middle. There is also a variety of pre-made effects to give you specific lighting looks, such as fireworks or paparazzi. 

BLOG QUESTION ADV: NEGATIVE FILL

1. What is negative fill? What does it do to your image?

2. What is a good place to use it?
3. How could you start using this in your shooting?

Negative fill is the opposite of regular fill, and it takes away light from your subject. A material called duvetyn, a black matte cloth, is usually used to achieve negative fill. Negative fill adds interest to your image by increasing contrast. A good place to use negative fill is when you have too much light or when your lighting is looking overly flat. We can start using negative fill when we shoot, especially when we shoot outdoors and are relying on natural light, to give our image more dimension and contrast.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: THE QUALITY OF LIGHT

1. What is the difference between a hard and a soft light?

2. What is diffusion? What does it do?
3. What do hard and soft light communicate to your audience?

A hard light is a direct light that creates harsher shadows and contrast on your subject. A soft light is usually used to fill in shadows or light a general area. Diffusion is a type of material (Cloth, gels, soft-boxes, etc.) that helps soften hard lights. Hard lighting usually communicates harsher emotions, such as deception or untrustworthiness. Soft light is usually used to portray something that is good or more positive emotions.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: SHAPING LIGHT

In a detailed paragraph, please answer the following questions:
1. How do you create a soft light from a hard light?
2. How can you use flags to shape your light? What effect does it have?
3. What are china balls, duvetyne and blackwrap used for when lighting?

You can create softer lights by using a diffuser or bouncing your lights off of a bounce card instead of shining it directly onto your subject. You can use flags to shape your light to prevent spill and create harsher shadows on your subject. You can use flags to cut down on light that is bouncing off of your environment onto your subject, and it helps create contrast. This can be done with soft or hard lights. China balls help disperse light throughout your room, creating good ambient lighting. Blackwrap is an aluminum foil matte black material which is used to block out light, similar to a mini flag. it's useful because it can be shaped to fit any nook or cranny of a light source to prevent leaks, and it's heat resistance makes it safe to have close to lights. Duvetyne is used for a similar reason, as it absorbs light and controls spill.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: USING FALSE COLOR

What is false color? Why is it so important? Explain in detail scenarios where it might be a useful tool?

False color allows you to determine the different brightness values on your picture through a monitor. It can range from 0 IRE (total black) to 100 IRE (total white) on your monitor. It’s important to use when setting your exposure. You can use them when you’re in a setting where the exposure levels aren't clear to see on a monitor (e.g. too sunny or too dark), and you need to get a clear level of exposure.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: BASICS OF LIGHTING

1. What are three new interesting things you've learned in this video?
2. What does cross-lighting mean?
3. How can you put these into practice in your next film?

I learned how to correctly direct someone to move/turn a light, by saying "lamp left/right", you're directing the person behind the light to turn or move the light based on their left or right. If your subject is facing at an angle, their Broad side is the side that faces nearest to the camera, and their Short side is the side of their face that is furthest from the camera. Cross-lighting is when you use two lights to help support each other when lighting two or more subjects. For example, if you're filming a two shot, you can have a light act as a backlight for one character, and if you angle it correctly, it could also act as the key light for the actor across from them. If you set up another light the exact same way for the other person, you'll have a full set up that only requires you two lights. I think this is a really helpful concept to understand because it'll help save us a lot of time trying to figure out lighting set ups and from assembling and moving lights.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: BOUNCE BOARDS

 What are the different ways you can use a bounce board in a shoot?  What are the differences between a square and a round bounce board? 

You can use a bounce board in a shoot to soften a light. This will make the shadows on your subject appear less harsh by feathering it out. You can either mount your bounce board on a duck clamp, or hold it. A round bounce board appears more natural when reflected in your subjects eye. Bounce boards are easily DIYable and can be made using styrofoam and tape, which can be found at any hardware store.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: BOUNCING LIGHT

1. What happens when you directly aim a light at your talent?

2. What happens when you bound your light? What's a simple way to bounce it when shooting?
3. How can bounce cards be used?

When you directly aim your light at your talent, you could create harsher shadows without meaning to. A way to soften those shadows is to bounce your light and/or diffuse it (aka create a book light), which can fill in those shadows. When you bounce your light, you can use a bounce board and even pair it with a diffuser to further soften it. When you use two methods to soften a light, it results in a more indirect light source. A book light is especially helpful when you only have a hard light source.

BLOG QUESTION ADV: THE C-STAND

1. What are three key important details when setting up a C stand properly?
2. How should you store and carry C-Stands?

When setting up a c-stand, it's important to know to keep the big leg of the stand under the weight, and to keep the sandbag on the big leg. You should always keep the knuckles on the right side. turning the knobs right make it tighter, and having it on the left makes it looser. When lining them up in a row, have the big leg over the medium leg to get the tightest possible fit. When carrying them, you should always be shouting Points!