Due to their unique shape and mounting position,
ring lights require diffusion and filters that are
specifically designed for them.
Graphic Materials
Many programs include two-dimensional
subjects—photos, paintings, graphics, letters,
book pages—in place of moving subjects. With
today’s quality equipment, it is often easiest to
record subjects with fl atbed scanners and import
them into video programs during postproduction.
If the fl at material is larger than about 8″ × 10″,
however, scanning is often impractical. You
will need to video record these larger subjects
directly using a special lighting setup.
white sheet over and around your subject and
aiming lights through it, you can create the
softest possible lighting effects. Tenting works
very well outdoors, with a sheet hung over a
pair of clothesline ropes, Figure 16-46. Tenting
techniques are also useful for lighting products
in commercials, Figure 16-47.
Ring Lights
Where other lighting techniques are not
practical, ring lights can often achieve comparable
effects (Figure 16-48). Because they surround
the lens completely, these lights throw only one
soft shadow, which is typically masked by the
subject in front of it.
Figure 16-45 Tabletop setups use very large, soft
lights.
Large-source lights
Paper
backing
curves
from
horizontal
to vertical
Figure 16-46 A simple tent setup outdoors, using a
bed sheet and clotheslines.
Figure 16-47 A professional tent for small object
cinematography.
(Photoflex)
Figure 16-48 Ring lights are available in LED arrays.
(Litepanels, Inc.)
Chapter 16 Lighting Applications 359