Martin's Lab/Video Lighting

[steve30]

I don't like to complain as I really enjoy watching Martins videos, but the lighting in them has been bothering me. Things seem very over exposed and there's too much glare.

I think the lighting was much better in South Africa.

How are you lighting the place up at the moment? Do you have any plans to improve it?

steve30

[SeanB]

I would say that there is just more light, and this now shows reflections better. In ZA a lot was natural daylight. Possibly the lighting will improve with the basement remodel as the roof will have been cleaned so it will scatter light better.

[MJLorton]

LOL...Steve...you are correct. I'm using two 50 watt LED flood lights with no diffusers at the moment. ( I assume you mean the shots with me in front of the camera)

I could do something in editing...been lazy not doing that...but I will add diffusers (wax paper!) or change the lighting as soon as other priorities are dealt with.

[steve30]

Yeah, it definitely needs diffusing somehow.

Have you considered using fluorescent tubes (or maybe LED tubes), which are already nicely diffused?

Anyway, I expect you have more important things to worry about with the basement. I bring this up as I'm quite interested in lighting myself .

[Paul Collins M0BSW]

NO!!!!!!!! Don't stop him making the power supply again, lighting is fine fix it after the power supply

[steve30]

Hehe, I was going to suggest leaving it till after the power supply. The internet will come down on him like a ton of bricks if he stops doing the power supply  .

[MJLorton]

  I did take 5 minutes to put some wax paper over them for the last video....perfecting  that can wait till the PSU is done... 

[Paul Collins M0BSW]

I did take 5 minutes to put some wax paper over them for the last video....perfecting  that can wait till the PSU is done... 

I'm glad to hear that Martin , you are only a plane ride away you know

[LightAges]

Actually, I didn't want to complain, but seeing as I am not the first

Yes, the videos are over exposed and it makes me not watch the too. It doesn't matter what the type of light source, they are just way overexposed. The camera needs to be set using a grey level card, or set with the highlights just starting to clip, and then the exposure fixed, not left to auto. Also the color balance goes all over the place and this needs to be set and not left to wander all over depending on what extra color item is brought in or out of the shot.

It really isn't that difficult to do.