Another product that was in heavy circulation at the Show this year was a product called Lite Panels. Several manufacturers displayed a version of this technology. But for present purposes, I'll detail only Lite Panel brand units. Lite Panels are 1X1 LED light squares available in 5600K Flood, 5600K Spot and 3200K Flood models. (They are also available in smaller sizes and, with adapting hardware, can be affixed to a camera.) The 1X1 squares weigh 3 pounds per unit and do not become hot with extended use. At Lite Panels' NAB booth, units were hung from overhead and illuminated a human stand in. Through this demonstration, I was able to observe the smooth, even light as it fell on both the stand-in and surrounding set; which gave a very aesthetic feel to the entire setup.
The lamp life of a Lite Panel is rated at 100,000 hrs and the unit can run on an AC adapter or battery. (The smaller Micro models run on 4 AA batteries.) Lite Panels are also completely dimmable (either by remote or switch) with minimal color shift and are flicker-free. Like the Zylights I introduced above, Lite Panels are also stackable to achieve a multi unit design. Each 1X1 draws 40 watts of power (@ 24 Volts) and outputs the equivalent of 500 watts. To learn more, visit their website.
At this year's NAB Show, several accessory vendors were also onsite. At the PhotoFlex booth, I was able to take a close look at accessories that no gaffer should be without. PhotoFlex manufactures lights, soft boxes, reflector disks, light grids and other products that make lighting a much more manageable endeavor. In my opinion, a large part of effective lighting is found in finesse rather than power. Accessories like the ones I've mentioned above are key to that pursuit.
One of my favorite pieces of gaffer-gear (that I am never without on set) is what PhotoFlex refers to as a Lite Disc (although you can find similar products through other manufacturers.) This is a bendable, twistable disc with reflective or translucent material that can be used to reflect or diffuse light. When not in use, it collapses to less than half its size for storage. Lite Disc-type products are especially effective for shoots on location and in spaces where space is limited. When used to create soft fill light or even to concoct a makeshift softbox, Lite Discs are a versatile, effective tool. (*Translucent Lite Discs placed in front of a light source create a softbox effect by enlarging the lighting source while diffusing it.)
Other helpful accessories include reflective umbrellas and light controlling grids. This umbrella serves to illuminate the subject indirectly with softer, yet intense, light. PhotoFlex provides a full range of these products along with softbox packages, chroma key backgrounds and stands to hold reflectors. For more information on PhotoFlex’s product line and pricing, visit their website.
