at what wattage does video light become annoying to the subjects? 5, 10, 15 watts?

wattage really is just how much power it's consuming, not how bright it is. But I have seen a 100w tungsten camera-mount light annoy people really badly - to the point where they cannot help but try to squint and block the light with their hands because it was not soft enough. If it had a scrim on it or something, it would have been ok.

I own a few different camera lights. Sony has on that looks light a traffic light with two 10 watt lights. I find that even with one light going people turn away. it's very harsh.

Another is a Frezzi variable light that adjusts from 5w to 35w with a turn of the dial. Usually from 5-10 watts I get less complaints unless people are looking directly into it. Elderly people are less tolerant of light in their eyes.

1 watt 12 inches from my face, would irritate me....

Like Chevypower said "wattage really is just how much power it's consuming, not how bright it is."

Five 1 watt incandescent bulbs arranged 10 feet from a subject might be a lot better than one five watt tungsten.

Lighting is a science and art with no one simple answer.



Rich