Directive Studios Blogs

Because we like our exposure to be precise, we decided to upgrade our light meter to the Sekonic L-758CINE-U DigitalMaster. With a range of cine and video settings we can now make sure our lights are exactly where they should be. One of the huge benefits this meter provides, is it's ability to match the dynamic range to our specific camera, which can be a huge difference with the outcome of our video. With an ISO range of 3 to 8,000 in 1/3 steps and 17 other custom settings, we no longer have to guess how our camera will read the light. B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1219222-REG/sekonic_401_761_l_758cine_u_digitalmaster_light_meter.html

Lighting can really make or break a subject in a photo or video. With this small on camera LED light, we now have another light to put in our camera bag just incase. This light is made up of 8 LED diodes that have a 4 step dimming option to make sure our light is set just right. We don't suggest using this as your primary light source, but it definitely does the trick when you need a little extra lighting in front of the camera. B&H Link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1137208-REG/manfrotto_mlumiemu_bk_lumie_muse_on_camera_led.html

Fitting on most camera flashes, these portable FlashBender reflector are great for trying to get more control of your lighting. You can't always aim your flash in the direction you need it most. A reflector will help you do just that, its lightweight design is perfect for carrying in your camera bag. A very simple piece of equipment that will only help your lighting get to where it should be!  B&H Link:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1122620-REG/expoimaging_rogueresm2_rogue_flashbender_2_reflector.html

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

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!

This Transceiver Radio Slave for canon is a combination of both a transmitter and receiver. This PocketWizard has High-Speed Sync Technology provides an auto flash with camera's shutter speed up to 1/8000th of a second. It's channel 1 and 2 settings come programed, however you can adjust to any 20 ControlTL channels for TTl photography. The FlexTT5 is also ideal for manual flash photography where you can also pick between 32 standard channels. Slide this piece of equipment right onto your camera's hot shoe for easy access.  B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/605720-REG/PocketWizard_801_150_FlexTT5_Transceiver_Radio_Slave.html

The faster you can charge your equipment, the better. This PROPAC battery pack for canon and Nikon flashes can charge a Speedlite flash in just one second! This speedy device allows up to 1800 flashes in full brightness settings. The PROPAC can also charge different brands by simply replacing the plug-in connector cable. Having more flashes and more control with the LED display panel gets your lighting where it needs to be! 

We can't always film in the studio. Therefore, we enjoy when we stumble upon equipment that is easy to travel with. The 5-in-1 Reflector helps us prevent those unwanted shadows on our talent, yet can fold up into something worth traveling with. All we need to do is point it directly at the unwanted shadow from any light we choose, and it's gone. Great little tool to help our lighting. B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/501357-REG/Westcott_301_5_in_1_Reflector_Disc.html

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

Perfect images rely on perfect lighting. Our handy tool here at the studio that helps us achieve that is the Sekonic Light Meter. This handy cordless meter helps us determine the f/stop we should be setting our cameras to. This weather resistant meter can also tell us information such as the ISO and measuring modes. The easy to read LCD that displays icons and symbols really helps us get that perfect lighting here in the studio.   B&H Link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368226-REG/Sekonic_401_309_L_308S_Flashmate_Light_Meter.html

  I followed CheesyCams advice about these converters and using the NP-F Batteries instead of V-Mount Batteries and it works like a dream AND I saved a bunch of money. We used the Wasabi Batteries listed below. CheesyCam is the Bomb! http://www.cheesycam.com  I purchased this to power our F&V K4000S LED Studio Panel | 3-Light Kit. This converter brings our cost down to roughly $150 per light for the 2 NP-F Batteries and the Converter instead of the $350-$400 V-Mount Batteries. We would of needed three of them to power all three light panels. First here is the link to CheesyCam's post and video about this: http://cheesycam.com/v-mount-adapter-for-sony-l-series-np-f-batteries/ I purchased the following: 3x Wasabi Power Battery (2-Pack) and Chargerhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FQ0RB92/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 3x Wasabi Power Battery Chargerhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043WZY0W/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 3x NP-F Battery to V-Mount Battery Converter Adapterhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E0CEDIE/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 BONUS: My son Dillon found this at radio shack and it made it so all 6 charges could plug in to 1 strip for $20! http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11115445...

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