A Good Lighting Setup

zutera91 · Sep 30, 2011

Hi everyone,

I want to capture an artist drawing on a whiteboard. Here is an example:

I may do photo, video, or both. Video like on the example is most likely.

- What kind of lighting will I need to cover a 3 ft by 3 ft space?

- I'm on a budget so cheaper is better. If less lights will produce a little more shadows, it is okay. The whole format is meant to be more informal style anyways so a low budget look isn't a deal killer.

Thanks for any advice!

tirediron · Sep 30, 2011

Video and still require very different lighting. If you're shooting video, you'll need continuous lighting. If you're shooting stills, strobes are best ('though continuous will work). In either case, it will need to be very diffuse to avoid glare off of the fairly reflective surface of the white board. The amount of lighting necessary will depend on several factors: (1) The distance from light to board, (2) the degree of diffusion used, and (3) The sensitivity of the sensor film used.

Derrel · Oct 1, 2011

A LARGE light source of at least 48x48 inches would be nice,but larger would be better, and placed about seven to eight feet away, for more even lighting. Aiming two floodlights at a white wall/ceiling juncture would do, s would shooting two floodlights through a cheap, white bedspread or frosted white shower curtain. That's low-budget,and will also look fine.

zutera91 · Oct 1, 2011

Thanks for the advice! I'll try the "2 floodlights through a white bedspread" trick

I know nothing about floodlights. Do you think this $20 floodlight will work for this:

Amazon.com: Cooper Lighting QL-500-WL 500W Industrial Grade Halogen Floodlight, Bronze: Home Improvement

dakkon76 · Oct 1, 2011

That will work if you've got some electrical know-how... you'll have to wire it up yourself since it's meant to be permanently installed onto a structure. It's not a stand-alone unit that's going to "work" right out of the box.

Something like this is probably more like what you're looking for. And I'd suggest craigslist due to all of the contractors and laborers who are out of work and selling off their tools. No reason to pay new prices on something like that if you don't have to.

Keep in mind, you may get some pretty bad glare off of the whiteboard... you'll have to find a good spot to position it to keep the glare away. If the sheet isn't enough, then either double it up or get something that will diffuse a bit more, like the frosted shower curtain mentioned, or even a white vinyl one.