Hi all,

Again newbie type of questions. Just got myself a TM300 and figuring out how to get the best out of it. So far I managed to get an extended battery and Videostudio X2 pro editing software. So far so good. I notice that for indoor shot, I need more light in order for the HD to excel....

In photography, I use flashlight all the time. So how about video? I guess lighting is as important as in photography. So I'm thinking of getting external video light. I google around and found interesting product called litepanels. I'm not in a hurry to buy one yet, just doing my homework.

So any recommendation or real life experience for video lighting? Please share.

Thank you

There's a lot more to it than I can post here, but I'll take a shot at giving you something that you can start with. Depends on what and where you're shooting, but let's use a single subject indoors as an example. You usually want to at least consider 4 lighting positions. These are:

- Key light (your main front light, usually from the camera's perspective).
- Fill light (a soft edge front light opposite the Key light). This is where an umbrella or reflective card is typically used for bounce light.
- Back light (light coming from high and behind the subject). Typically you'll use this light to light up the top/back of the head and shoulders of your subject, to give some depth to your shot.
- Background light - This is used to light up the background behind your subject (i.e. a bookcase, plants, etc.).

There aren't really any hard rules to lighting, just practices that many have found to work well. Depending on your shot, you can use the above method or more or less lighting. You can do a lot with just a bounce card when shooting outdoors.

Consideration should be given to:

- The brightness or dimness of the light sources
- The angle the light sources hit the subject (usually 45 degrees horizontal and vertical for a natural look)
- The color temperature of the light sources (Google color temperature)
- The color of the light and the color of the subject and background
- The softness or hardness of the light beam (think about the difference between the light of a bright sunny day and the light of an overcast day. Think about how each illuminates and what kind of shadow you get from each).

Here's a link to some lights and light kits on B&H Photo's website: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=light+kit&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2FRootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=submit

What is your typical subject and location? I could give you more specific info if I knew more. My apologies if this is more than you were wanting. :)

FYI, I've been a professional lighting designer/director for 20 years (theater, concerts, stage, and video).

Yubbie

To be able to shoot this
http://www.vimeo.com/2666377
you need the CANON 5DMK2 (even the Red One cannot do this)

I am afraid to break the news to you, but none of the small compact camcorders can do low light work without masses of expensive lighting, and with all the additional cost, you may as well bought the low light master - the 5D2.

Even with all the lighting in the world, the image quality will never compare to the 5D2 / Red One.

The 5D2 can be had for $2500 (body only) and lenses are widely available on ebay. Nikon glass can be used with adapter.

You will probably spend more money trying to get the TM300 working for you but never achieve the5D2's image quality.

Looks like theTM300 is not a low light performer
http://www.vimeo.com/5219042
Note the noise at all gain levels.

There's a lot more to it than I can post here, but I'll take a shot at giving you something that you can start with. Depends on what and where you're shooting, but let's use a single subject indoors as an example. You usually want to at least consider 4 lighting positions. These are:

- Key light (your main front light, usually from the camera's perspective).
- Fill light (a soft edge front light opposite the Key light). This is where an umbrella or reflective card is typically used for bounce light.
- Back light (light coming from high and behind the subject). Typically you'll use this light to light up the top/back of the head and shoulders of your subject, to give some depth to your shot.
- Background light - This is used to light up the background behind your subject (i.e. a bookcase, plants, etc.).

There aren't really any hard rules to lighting, just practices that many have found to work well. Depending on your shot, you can use the above method or more or less lighting. You can do a lot with just a bounce card when shooting outdoors.

Consideration should be given to:

- The brightness or dimness of the light sources
- The angle the light sources hit the subject (usually 45 degrees horizontal and vertical for a natural look)
- The color temperature of the light sources (Google color temperature)
- The color of the light and the color of the subject and background
- The softness or hardness of the light beam (think about the difference between the light of a bright sunny day and the light of an overcast day. Think about how each illuminates and what kind of shadow you get from each).

Here's a link to some lights and light kits on B&H Photo's website: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=light+kit&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2FRootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=submit

What is your typical subject and location? I could give you more specific info if I knew more. My apologies if this is more than you were wanting. :)

FYI, I've been a professional lighting designer/director for 20 years (theater, concerts, stage, and video).

Yubbie

Thanks Yubbie, this is what I'm looking for. I'm totally newbie in video shooting and lighting. I've done some advanced beginner in photography and some multiple lightings. I understand that as in photography, lighting is as important but never know that they are very similar.

I'm looking for something simple. Shooting indoor family video. With DSLR, I'm quite content with just a bounce flash. Therefore, I just want to know what everybody else having while this type of video shooting.;)

To be able to shoot this
http://www.vimeo.com/2666377
you need the CANON 5DMK2 (even the Red One cannot do this)

I am afraid to break the news to you, but none of the small compact camcorders can do low light work without masses of expensive lighting, and with all the additional cost, you may as well bought the low light master - the 5D2.

Even with all the lighting in the world, the image quality will never compare to the 5D2 / Red One.

The 5D2 can be had for $2500 (body only) and lenses are widely available on ebay. Nikon glass can be used with adapter.

You will probably spend more money trying to get the TM300 working for you but never achieve the5D2's image quality.

Looks like theTM300 is not a low light performer
http://www.vimeo.com/5219042
Note the noise at all gain levels.

Currently, I'm using 1Dmk2 for quite sometimes. I'll move to FF sooner or later. Because of great AF accuracy of 1D body, I've stayed away from 5D even though it is very tempting. I'm sure I'll DSLR video sooner or later.. (I have 3 L lenses that cover 17mm to 200mm with f2.8 maximum aperture) I'm hoping that 1Dsmk4 will have a video.... wait few years and price should be affordable. In the mean time... I just sharpen my lousy video skill with the TM300...