Directive Studios Blogs

It is always a good idea to have a backup light for any low light emergencies. We use this small, extremely portable LED light to help us when our video or picture needs a small touch. Use it's tungsten filter, or the soft diffuser to help with your lighting needs by simply attaching them by their magnetic mounting system. By having an adjustable hot-shoe that can either connect to your camera or tripod, this light will point in the direction you need!  B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/784071-REG/Vidpro_Z_96K_Professional_Photo_Video.html

Having to travel with a bunch of equipment can be a huge hassle. We depend on these portable Bi-Color LED lights by F&V for on the road sets. Not only are they extremely portable, but we don't have to rely on having an outlet on set. We can simply connect it to it's battery pack, and we're on our way. There are two dials on the back of the lights that allows us to dim the lights, or even change between daylight and tungsten lighting. Without knowing how great the lighting is at our next location, it's great to bring this much control on the road with us.

You can add great effects to your portraits with good lighting. This 300 LED daylight balanced light can add a great lighting effect for around your model's eyes in any close up shot. No, we wouldn't suggest this is your primary light for any photography or film, however, it is a great portable light that can give your shots a nice touch. You can easily add and remove magnetic, snap-on filters that can give you even more variety for the lighting you need!

The Canon 580 flash is a great addition to our lighting inventory. The 360 degree swivel head allows us to get any lighting angle we need on a subject. With a metal hot shoe you can adapt the flash right on top of your camera. The more consistent color and enhanced controls help our cameras achieve the best quality photos. By making sure our camera has the best lighting, the flash exposure lock that targets our subject helps us do just that. B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801246827-USE/canon_1946b002_speedlite_580ex_ii.html

UPDATE: Check out the cheaper battery solution to power these lights. NP-F Battery to V-Mount Battery Converter Adapter Whenever we go to an event we bring our cameras but our studio lights were just too big and bulky. We always found ourselves struggling to find a bright spot at the venue we're at. We have missed some great opportunities to have more beautiful shots.  We decided to pick up some portable lights we can use on location. After a bunch of research we decided to go with a 3 light kit of the K4000S Bi-Color LED's from F&V Lighting.   At first I thought they would be perfect for what I wanted, but there are a few drawbacks. I love the milk filter but the way you have to mount it sucks. There are 4 legs with tiny little nuts that I will surely lose. You have to set them up and break them down...

I consider these studio only lights. I really wish I just invested in led lights early on. They do work great though, but to me they are not portable at all.  EDIT: I have since purchased more portable LED Lights and I take it back, I am happy I invested in these first and they are great for the studio.  These have 9 Bulbs and create some great light. We have 4 of them, mainly so we can light the background well and two for the subject and we use a smaller 5 bulb version for hair light etc. You can read more about them at Impacts Website:http://www.impactstudiolighting.com/detail?sku=699030

This was recommended as a hair light, but it's very heavy, we had to buy a massive stand for it and it's still scary. Sand Bags are a must. Good light though.