Lastolite Hi-Lite with Chroma Key Bottletop

[Oddshapedoctopus]

I'm after a bit of advice for some event kit I'm looking at.

I've got my eye on the Lastolite Hi Lite which will allow me to carry less kit and work in a smaller space due to being able to illuminate the background from the side of the hi lite.

I normally offer chromakey/green screen which is great when I've got a large amount of space for my five light set up but I was wondering if using the bottle top on the Lastolite Hi Lite would mean I can light from the sides of the hi lite and allow the light to shine through or wether I'd still have to light green screen externally (If that makes sense).

Any advice would be great cheers guys.

 

[JennyGW]

Hi Simon, I'm curious as to how small a space you can work in with the Hi Lite for a high key background, please?

Thanks,
Jenny

 

[Oddshapedoctopus]

I've not got one yet but from what I've seen you can put a set of speed lights in either side so it should be the size of the hi lite plus a pair of stands.

 

[JennyGW]

I've not got one yet but from what I've seen you can put a set of speed lights in either side so it should be the size of the hi lite plus a pair of stands.

I've only seen it used with strobe lights and I doubt Speedlites are powerful enough to make it work? It will depend on the light fall off on the back of the subject being 1.5 to 2 stops below the shot exposure. Otherwise there will be white bleed. My assumption is that if the backdrop needs to be lit to +1 ev to ensure pure white then the fall off will be exactly the same as when a white seamless is front lit.

 

[HoppyUK]

I've only seen it used with strobe lights and I doubt Speedlites are powerful enough to make it work? It will depend on the light fall off on the back of the subject being 1.5 to 2 stops below the shot exposure. Otherwise there will be white bleed. My assumption is that if the backdrop needs to be lit to +1 ev to ensure pure white then the fall off will be exactly the same as when a white seamless is front lit.

HiLites are very efficient. Being enclosed, none of the light is wasted. A couple of speedlites, even tuned down a bit for faster recycle, are perfectly workable in the smaller 6x7ft HiLite.

 

[simonbarker]

HiLites are very efficient. Being enclosed, none of the light is wasted. A couple of speedlites, even tuned down a bit for faster recycle, are perfectly workable in the smaller 6x7ft HiLite.

I've not tried but I would have assumed even if the speedlites have enough power they're going to result in hot spots?

 

[HoppyUK]

I've not tried but I would have assumed even if the speedlites have enough power they're going to result in hot spots?

No, no more hot-spots than any other lighting method. To get a HiLite evenly lit, the flash heads/guns have to be aimed at the back and no light must be allowed to fall directly on the front surface.

 

[JennyGW]

HiLites are very efficient. Being enclosed, none of the light is wasted. A couple of speedlites, even tuned down a bit for faster recycle, are perfectly workable in the smaller 6x7ft HiLite.

Thanks, Hoppy, good to know