Hi-lite advice

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Ellekes

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Vicky
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I am planning on investing in a mobile studio (part of my business plan is to visit all the daycare centers in my area :D). After much debate I decided on the Lastolite Hi-lite.
I was thinking of using it with one light in the BG, one softbox on the subject and a vinyl trail.

The bg light shouldn't be too hard to decide on, but I am unsure as to the required kind of softbox light? I found a few kits with two 600w lights and a 60*60 softbox, but I wonder if I won't be needing a larger softbox?

Basically, my question is, how do you use the Hi-lite? And any additional purchasing advice is welcome!
 
The hi-lite needs 2 lights, not one - I know that some people will say otherwise, but the trick is to get very even illumination at the lowest possible level of overexposure, across the width, and that takes 2 lights.
And if you want to use the train then that will need extra lighting too.

As for your frontal lighting, the size of the softbox is neither here nor there. At any given distance, a larger softbox will give softer lighting than a smaller one, which means that if you move the softbox closer to the subject then it will produce softer light, and vice versa. And you don't even need soft light for toddlers because they have perfect features and perfect skin - softboxes are more suitable for their grandmothers:) and you would be better off with white reflective umbrellas - cheaper and easier to set up.

When you say that you've looked at 600 watt lights, I'm guessing that you mean 600 watt second (Ws) flash heads - that's serious overkill 200 or 300Ws flash will be fine, take a look at the Lencarta SmartFlash 200 Ws and Lencarta ElitePro 300 Ws kits
 
Two lights in the highlight is definately my preferred option Vicky. I always found it had a gradient in the lighting with just one. I know it CAN be done with just one but you will need to set up quickly and it's a pain trying to get it right with just one.

For a softbox I'd have a look for a large umbrella box. Again it's as much down to setup as anything else. Softboxes are a pest! Umbrella boxes are much quicker and easier to use and will also give a much nicer (almost round) catchlight. (or as Garry sensibly suggests just use an umbrella)

One question for you. How are you going to handle the bottom of the image? I use mine mainly for headshots and 3/4 because I've never really found a perfect solution to the bottom of the image where the hilite meets the floor. I know that have the train but then that also needs additional lighting. If it's kids you are shooting then they tend to be a bit low anyway :)
 
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No grandmothers here :-). I have actually never worked with an umbrella (I have used a small studio up until now, which only has softboxes).

I had indeed always assumed that the Hilite needed two lights. I visited a shop (basically the only shop around here that has a decent offer of Lastolite products) and they said I could do with one, but needed 600Ws (indeed Watt seconds). The problem is that it is only one advice (and by a store selling obviously what they are advising ;) ), which is why I am still unsure.

I'll have a look around at where Lencarta is sold in Belgium. As far as I see it now, my choices are limited to Jinbei (not so happy about those) and Elinchrom (a bit on the expensive side).

Thanks for the advice!
 
Thanks, I was just looking at the site. I am at work at the moment (my day job, the one that is currently funding my real job:) ), but I'll have a look at the tutorials later tonight.

I might come back to you when I think I have decided on a set, if you don't mind.

Thanks for the link!
 
You may also want to consider Elemental who sell some good quality studio lights at very good prices, very good customer service too :)
 
I use a hilite and have tried it with one and two lights. It is easy to use with one light if you are going for the subject standing in front of the sun look :D Yes it is better with two and the creases (which you will get) also show up less with 2 as well. I really like the ElitePro lights but Iain Icnoble has a set of the 200w smartflash ones and they are pretty good too (not a lot in it really but the Elitepro are worth the extra).

Going for brollies does make setting up easier and transporting it easier but a collapsible octo softbox would be a good addition.

What you can do is pick a 3 light Lencarta Smartflash kit like this one "SmartFlash 3-head Softbox/umbrella Kit (Order code FLA018)" at £449.95

3 x SmartFlash 200 (200Ws) Flash Heads (FLA010)
3 x Studio Light Stands (STA009)
1 x Reflector (MOD006)
2 x 85cm x 85cm Softbox (SOF005))
1 x 100cm white Reflective umbrella (UMB001)
1 x 5-in-1 reflector kit (REF001)
1 x 4 channel Radio trigger/receiver (TRI008)
1 x 3-head carry case (BAG001)

then

upgrade one of the lights to an ElitePro (add £70)
upgrade one of the softboxes to a collapsible 95cm octobox (add £20)
change one of the softboxes to a bolly (sub £60)
add 1 extra reflector (add £19.95)

That would give you two Smart flashes for the Hilite and an Elitepro for the main light plus you could probably do with another stand (£19.95) & either Smartflash (£129.95) or ElitePro (£199.95) for the train.....

I have been doing this (messing with their specs) for the last 2 months with their kits till I bought mine :) Well happy with them :)

The above kit would give you what you need !
 
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I have on occasion used it with one light successfully, but that was a 400w/s Elinchrom. I've also used it with one Elinchrom and an SB800, where space has been very limited and I couldn't physically get another stand at the side.
 
Camtrekker said:
I have on occasion used it with one light successfully, but that was a 400w/s Elinchrom. I've also used it with one Elinchrom and an SB800, where space has been very limited and I couldn't physically get another stand at the side.
Click to expand...

I have the smaller 5'x7' version and you can just about get 1 stop above reasonably evenly but the creases show up. With the bigger ones 7'x6' etc then you are better off with two.
 
cowasaki said:
I have the smaller 5'x7' version and you can just about get 1 stop above reasonably evenly but the creases show up. With the bigger ones 7'x6' etc then you are better off with two.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I should have said that mine was a 7 x 5 Hi-Lite.
 
For value for money, get three Lencarta Smartflashes. You just don't need any more power. Light the front with a big white umbrella, or maybe one of these - a 100cm Lastolite Umbrellabox http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-lastolite-1m-umbrella-box-8mm-stem/p12388 Cheap, very quick and easy, just a bit softer than a bare umbrella, a little more light spread and ease of working.

If budget allows, treat yourself to a Lencarta 120cm Octobox, the folding one. Wonderful light, and as easy to put up as a brolly. I disagree with Garry on the softness/kids thing. I prefer big soft light (and I think most people do) and apart from that it's just much easier. It creates a large working area of light and it doesn't matter nearly so much when kids look one way or the other, or move around a bit.

However, the problem you will have is getting the train right. Frankly, avoid full length if you can, it's just so much easier, but I accept that will be very restrictive especially for kids. There is no easy way to get a clean white train as, unlike the background, you can't light it separately. You have have to work on your set up (there are lots of threads about it on here) and then finish it off in post processing with some grey mopping.

A flash meter would be handy, but you don't need one proving you have done your prep carefully and replicate the set up exactly. The you can just chimp it on site and tweak it a bit to taste. But if you're changing the set up, a flash meter will make that task much easier. I'd save the money and get that Octobox :)

Friendly warning: this white background stuff is not easy. It's not an equipment thing, it's technique ;)
 
HoppyUK said:
For value for money, get three Lencarta Smartflashes. You just don't need any more power. Light the front with a big white umbrella, or maybe one of these - a 100cm Lastolite Umbrellabox http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-lastolite-1m-umbrella-box-8mm-stem/p12388 Cheap, very quick and easy, just a bit softer than a bare umbrella, a little more light spread and ease of working.

If budget allows, treat yourself to a Lencarta 120cm Octobox, the folding one. Wonderful light, and as easy to put up as a brolly. I disagree with Garry on the softness/kids thing. I prefer big soft light (and I think most people do) and apart from that it's just much easier. It creates a large working area of light and it doesn't matter nearly so much when kids look one way or the other, or move around a bit.

However, the problem you will have is getting the train right. Frankly, avoid full length if you can, it's just so much easier, but I accept that will be very restrictive especially for kids. There is no easy way to get a clean white train as, unlike the background, you can't light it separately. You have have to work on your set up (there are lots of threads about it on here) and then finish it off in post processing with some grey mopping.

A flash meter would be handy, but you don't need one proving you have done your prep carefully and replicate the set up exactly. The you can just chimp it on site and tweak it a bit to taste. But if you're changing the set up, a flash meter will make that task much easier. I'd save the money and get that Octobox :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice!!! What I am wondering though, as it seems the train is not the allmighty answer and I would be needing to do some PP anyway is to skip the train altogether and work with a simple white vinyl underground?

As for the Lencarta, they seem like real good stuff, but I don't feel too happy about spending 700£ on internet goods. I have been looking around some more, and the best in-store alternative I can come up with are sets of Bowens. But I assume these are good lights as well?

HoppyUK said:
Friendly warning: this white background stuff is not easy. It's not an equipment thing, it's technique ;)
Click to expand...

Yep, noted that too!!! I have the first set of nurseries and daycare centers lined up in November, which is why I want to get the equipment asap, so I can start practising.
 
Ellekes said:
Thanks for the advice!!! What I am wondering though, as it seems the train is not the allmighty answer and I would be needing to do some PP anyway is to skip the train altogether and work with a simple white vinyl underground?

As for the Lencarta, they seem like real good stuff, but I don't feel too happy about spending 700£ on internet goods. I have been looking around some more, and the best in-store alternative I can come up with are sets of Bowens. But I assume these are good lights as well?



Yep, noted that too!!! I have the first set of nurseries and daycare centers lined up in November, which is why I want to get the equipment asap, so I can start practising.
Click to expand...

Bowens stuff is excellent BUT you will not get anything like the same stuff for the money. I really wouldn't worry about buying "internet stuff". If you have any concerns why not book yourself on a Lencarta studio day and try before you buy. The reality is that there are loads of us that have used more than one make of kit and can give our opinions. I am sure that you need to be happy with your purchase but the Lencarta kit is very good.

There are not too many lighting equipment suppliers that you can try the kit from beforehand anyway but there are plenty of on line reviews too.

What IS your budget?
 
I had planned on staying under 1.500€ on the mobile studio, so it still seems I should be able to do that.
Around where I live, I can test the Bowens, Elinchrom and Jinbei (not too fond of the last one). It doesn't really ahs that much to do with testing, I have seen the Lencarta tutorials and I am convinced. It's just that apart from some books, I haven't really bought anything off the Internet yet. Bit of a control freak ;)
 
Well you could just ring them up instead, that's what I did anyway!
 
Ellekes said:
What I am wondering though, as it seems the train is not the allmighty answer and I would be needing to do some PP anyway is to skip the train altogether and work with a simple white vinyl underground
Click to expand...

Yep if you go for the Hilite i wouldn't bother with the train, it's well overpriced at about £90ish, i'm sure you could get a piece and shape it for half that price, and like you say the chances are you will need to do some pp work on it anyway, if i knew before what i know now i certainly wouldn't have bothered with the train :)
 
Vicky, don't worry about buying Lencarta. Garry Edwards (post #2) works for them and is renowned for good customer service. And it's more than his life's worth to p-off a TP member ;)

FWIW I prefer Elinchrom and have nothing but praise for their D-Lites - very small and light with lots of accurate control, plus much more control of the modelling light than the Smartflash. But they are much more expensive, and Elinchrom accessories are even more so.

The Smartflashes do a basic no-frills job, but they do it very well at an unbeatable price. And they are at that price precisely because you buy direct and don't pay a dealer's profit margin.
 
Thanks all! It's been a lot of help. I had another look at the tutorials and online reviews and I'll go with the hi-lite and the Lencarta light set-up. Hopefully will be able to post some first try-outs in not too long!!!
 
Also worth checking out the 'how to fold' videos on youtube even if its only for a but of entertainment!
 
Ah, but you see, that is one thing I am not worried sick about! After many summers camping and fold "2-sec pop-out and 5 min fold back" tents, that should be the only part that I can easily do :lol:
 
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