3-Point Lighting, Spotlights, Snoots for Video Lights

[Nick Hope 151]

I've been looking for a 3rd light to use as a back light in a 3-point lighting setup for macro with my 2 Keldan Luna 4X lights as key light and fill light. The idea is that the 3rd light shines from behind, creating a halo effect, making the subject pop out from the background.

 

I was originally looking at spotlights, but struggling to find something near the colour temperature of the Keldans and a narrow beam. The nearest I've come is the RGBlue System 01 with the RGB-SA01 searchlight adapter (lower down that page), which narrows the beam to 30 degrees. It's more expensive and larger than I was originally looking for. There are narrower and/or smaller lights than this but usually a much higher colour temperature.

 

Then I got to thinking of a snoot for the back light (and for typical snoot shots), and I notice that there is a reductive snoot kit available for the RGBlue.

 

Are there any transmission snoots (fibre optic) that could be used with the RGBlue light?

 

And while we're at it are there any snoots, either reductive or fibre optic, that could be used with the Keldan Lun 4X? The outside diameter is 72mm.

 

Finally, anyone tried 3-point lighting or snoots for underwater video, or have any thoughts on it?

[CheungyDiver 53]

Use a dive torch and place it behind the subject if possible. Use a cover and experiment with different aperture cut out of the cover and lighting levels. I tried it many times and works like a treat. A small mirror or cd rom works but need a light shining on it. Cost very little to do.

 

Alternatively a fibre optic snoot attached to a light on a gorilla pod.

For key lights try anything reflective and diffused as long as it works.

[Nick Hope 151]

Use a dive torch and place it behind the subject if possible. Use a cover and experiment with different aperture cut out of the cover and lighting levels. I tried it many times and works like a treat. A small mirror or cd rom works but need a light shining on it. Cost very little to do.

Yes I guess a regular dive torch would do, but which one? Small size, adjustable levels, warmish colour temp.. Not too keen on lining up reflectors. I think I'm already past my task-loading limit!

 

Alternatively a fibre optic snoot attached to a light on a gorilla pod.

There is this Reefnet snoot arm, but I'd have to make an adaptor cup for the Keldan. David, are you still making/selling any fibre optic snoots?

 

For key lights try anything reflective and diffused as long as it works.

I think I'm going to be happy enough with the Keldans direct but I still imagine I'll want to make ND filter caps for them to reduce brightness on night dives for more stealth. Matt ND filter gel also acts as a diffuser.

[CheungyDiver 53]

You don't really need ND underwater well depends if you are near the surface - then you need graduated filter.

 

Talking about filters I think Peter has been playing around with colour filters on the video lights to balance the subject light with the background colour balance. I will see him at NAD to test out these things. Will let you know.

 

Yes no problem making a fiber optic snoot. I only make them custom order to specific needs. You could even DIY with your background as a designer

 

cheers

David

[Nick Hope 151]

ND filters on the lights was really my thought for approaching sensitive critters at night. Even my old L&M Elite halogens sometimes felt too bright on the lowest setting for some shots.

 

I used to snap blue gels into the front of those halogen lights. It certainly helped in the daytime.

 

Will have a play with home-made reductive snoots first and see how I get on. Lack of a workshop here limits what I can make these days.

[peterbkk 110]

If my idea works, I will post a photo and sample results of the video light filter system that I've cobbled together. It can be used to reduce light levels, diffuse video lights for softer macro lighting and for balancing ambient daylight with video light. Testing it this week in Lembeh. Very cheap to make.

 

I did make a simple snoot for my last trip to Lembeh. Just a piece of hard 3mm rubber sheet rolled into a cone, held in shape with cable-ties and held onto to the video light with bungee cord. Worked OK. A bit fiddly to put on underwater. But, on my last dive of the trip, I took it off for a shot, placed it on the sand next to me, then swam away. It's probably still rolling around at the bottom of the Straits....

 

I was going to make another one for this trip but I put my attention into these video light filters - more important because I pan to shoot a lot of Wide-angle Close-up... Tomorrow!

 

Regards

Peter

Edited December 8, 2014 by peterbkk

[peterbkk 110]

I finally made a new snoot.

 

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=55825&st=0&p=362158

 

Regards

Peter

[jonb 1]

Nick - did you ever find a solution reducing the brightness of your keldan, or a snoot solution?

 

I'm considering some red gel for night dives...mostly as I've generally had more joy with the red insert on my INON focus light, but will look for some snootesque piping to restrict the beam a bit.

[Nick Hope 151]

Nick - did you ever find a solution reducing the brightness of your keldan, or a snoot solution?

 

I'm considering some red gel for night dives...mostly as I've generally had more joy with the red insert on my INON focus light, but will look for some snootesque piping to restrict the beam a bit.

 

I bought a Seahorn snoot from Scuba Symphony in Malaysia. Price was RM 350.00 and shipping to Thailand was RM 90.00 with Fedex. It seems to be mostly made of standard plumbing parts etc. that you could probably source yourself, but I needed something fast. It has done a job for me, but the parts no longer stay together and I'm amazed I haven't lost part of it yet.

 

I more or less gave up the 3-point lighting idea. Just too much gear and complication really. 2 are enough for most situations and I'm increasingly only using 1 light for macro. However I really must force myself to do more experimentation with back-lighting because the effect can be great when it works.

 

I also 3D-printed 2 shades in black ABS using a friend's printer, to reduce the beam angle for macro. My project file for Autodesk 123D Design is here. They work OK, but they give a penumbra, as you'd expect for a simple shade. The pics below show that you get a softer edge with the Seahorn snoot. These are the approximate beam angles:

 

3D-printed shade: 44 degrees main beam. 64 degrees to outside of penumbra

Seahorn snoot wide: 67 degrees

Seahorn snoot medium: 24 degrees

Seahorn snoot narrow: 15 degrees

 

For my style of macro shooting I think about 30-40 degrees is the most useful beam angle. I'm hoping to find or create a better-engineered solution, or to switch to narrower lights for macro, with FIX Neo 1500/2000 DX SWR and FIX Neo 1000 DX SW interesting me the most as per this thread.

 

Seahorn snoot at the rear. My shade at the front:

 

 

When not in use, my shades mount on the M67 holder on an Inon mega float, which I use in all my configurations:

 

 

No snoot or shade:

 

 

My 3D-printed shade (44 degrees main beam. 64 degrees to outside of penumbra):

 

 

Seahorn snoot wide (approx 67 degrees):

 

 

Seahorn snoot medium (approx 24 degrees):

 

 

Seahorn snoot narrow (approx 15 degrees):

 

[jonb 1]

Thanks a lot for a very comprehensive response Nick - plenty to digest here!

 

And thanks also for the project file - I dont have access to a 3D printer right now, but hopefully I can change that. Otherwise I'll cobble something together with some pieces of plastic and/or an old wetsuit sleeve.