Litepanels 1X1 Kit

LED lighting will play a crucial role in the evolution of photography. I’ve dreamed of a specific light my entire career and LED technology makes that light possible. The light would be small yet bright, dimmable and with adjustable color. This light would run cool and quite on battery power. That’s exactly what LEDs can do.

LED lights are quickly replacing all forms of lighting. In most cases it’s just a better technology. Just look for a flashlight or camping lantern and you’ll see what I mean. My friends at 360s.com have developed a light engine that will be manufactured for mobile operating rooms. This LED light source replaces traditional incandescent systems, and it lasts over 4x longer than other lights using similar battery packs . I’ve been playing with one of these “light engine” prototypes and I love it. It’s shows incredible potential as a photographic light: bright, cool, adjustable, and small.

Look for manufactures of all sorts of photography lighting to move to LED sources in the coming years. As I said before, it’s simply a superior photography technology. I’m curious weather or not these lights could be “pulsed” like a strobe. An LED light that could turn on for a 1/4000 of a second would replace the need for standard on-camera flash and studio strobe systems . At the very least, manufacturers will replace modeling lights with LEDs and compact flash units will become hybrid lights.

The move to hybrid cameras that shoot both stills and video is driving a need for continuous lighting. Also, strobes can’t keep up with the frame rates that are possible with today’s cameras.  HDR imaging also requires a continuous light source because shutter speed adjustments are necessary for exposure changes (changing the aperture changes pixel alignment).

Strobes are available and usable in far brighter ranges than LEDs, however I find this unnecessary. An LED equivalent to a 6400 watt second  strobe would blind everyone on the set. For portrait work, I’m often using 1600WS lights on their lowest settings and sometimes adding neutral density to dim them down. Modern DSLRs do an excellent job at higher ISOs like 400-800, so the need for all the power has really diminished.

Litepanels MicroPro

There is already an abundant selection of stage lighting and architectural lighting available in LED. There are also many on camera video lights and ring lights for macro work. Larger arrays of LEDs for studio and location lighting are available, but the selection is limited. I do expect  there to be a vast selection of adjustable color LED lights with available within two years.
Many of these lights are controllable by a stage lighting communications protocol called DMX

Here are a few LED Lighting resources:

Litepanels – Video
Kometled
Pdngearguide
Arri
Switronix
Enfis

I’ve been working out some theories on the most practical way to upgrade technology. Cameras, computer hardware, and software technology move at an alarming rate. The question is: when does it make financial and practical sense to upgrade? There are considerations of implementation and cost involved. Here I will outline these considerations and my theories and strategies.
Moore’s Law describes a long-term trend in computer hardware where capacity of circuitry doubles every 24 months. These same principles can be applied to almost all technologies, though the timing is different for every technology and situation. Technology upgrade theory is all about cost, implementation, and gain. Developing a good strategy is dependent on the nature of the technology and that must be studied carefully.

Know the Technology and know the habits and schedules of the manufacturers of that technology.
Example #1 Adobe is on an 18Month upgrade cycle: they allow you to skip versions and still get upgrade pricing: and their upgrades are usually major.
Example #2 Nikon usually upgrades the flagship models six-nine months before the top prosumer models. The top of the line prosumer cameras usually have many of the desirable features of the Flagship model at 40% of the price. Nikon is notoriously slow in getting their announced cameras to market.
FYI: Nikon is making a major comeback; the D3X with the 14-24, WOW.
Example #3 Intel Processors are updated very often. The updates usually amount to only small gains (6-15%), but sometimes there is a major leap in the technology. These leaps usually require a new Motherboard with a new chipset. We are currently seeing a technology leap in processors that has captured my attention (probably ancient history by the time you read this). The Intel i7 processors and the X58 chipsets that are currently available on Windows will be coming to a Mac near you soon.

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It This is very true if it does not interrupt a progression of upgrades, workflow, or resale.
Example #1: The new version of the software doesn’t help me, but the companies upgrade path requires progressive upgrades. It will save me money in the end to upgrade rather than buy a complete license in 18Months.
Example #2 I need to learn how to use this because I’ll need it eventually and I won’t have time to learn it on the spot.
Example #3 Mac computers hold their value through one upgrade cycle, but the resale value takes a huge drop after that. People remember the most recent model info, but have short memories and aren’t willing to pay much after that. An Apple employee taught me this principle of Apple hardware.
Example #4 I’m still running XP on a portable workstation. This is an 11 pound laptop with three hard drives. I tether it to a Canon 1DS Mark III or a Canon 5D on location using Adobe Lightroom. There were software and driver issues with Vista at the time I implemented this mobile workstation. Vista 64Bit could now be installed on this machine, but it works extremely well in its current configuration, so I’m not touching it. Actually, it’s one of the zippiest computers I own, which really helps on location. Also, XP is a solid and mature OS.

Skip a Version, and Keep On Working The time and money required to make an upgrade can be significant. Most of the time, it makes sense to skip a version and keep on working. The exception is for vital technology and major upgrades.
Example #1 I love my Canon G9 compact camera, but it’s not a primary business tool. The newer Canon G10 looks great, but I don’t need it, and the G11 will come out soon enough. Never forget that the pictures don’t wait for you! If you have pictures you want to make with a new technology, don’t hesitate, get it done. The pictures never wait!

The Bleeding Edge I live on the BLEEDING EDGE, because that’s how I roll, but I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!
Example #1 I built an XP 64 Bit workstation; this workstation costed $12, 000 USD: it has 3 Raid 0 arrays, 18 hard drives, SAS raids, and a custom cooling system. I’m the only guy who can run this monstrosity. It did run like a bat out of hell for its day, but the technology has passed by this bleeding edge masterpiece and now a computer of its specs would only cost around $6000 USD. Note that this bleeding edge machine is not yet three years old. Moore’s Law is totally true here.
Example # 2 My first GPS managed to get me across the river from my destination. It also took me to a Wal-Mart distributor instead of a store and often took me many miles out of the way.

Second Best is Usually Fine In many cases the top of the line comes at a 25-33% premium. This sounds like a pittance to pay, but if you can upgrade more often, you will leapfrog those gains. Sometimes top of the line gear holds its resale better, but this rarely makes up for the investment.
Example #1 Top of the line processors like the extreme line of Intel processors are often 40% more expensive, but the next to best processor is only 6% less efficient when properly over-clocked. The next generation of processors will cost you another 30% if you properly re-market the second best processor you purchased and the performance gain might be 20%. An upgrading process to one of these machines might include buying a processor every 18-36 more, and selling the old on Craigslist or eBay.
Example #2 The top of the line pro versions of digital cameras come at a huge premium. The Canon 1ds Mark III is $7,000 while the Canon 5D Mark II is $2,700. There are some different features, but $4300 is a lot to pay for them.

Disposing of outdated technology is a thankless chore. I always seem to have a bunch of old cell phones, memory cards, and cables around. I don’t want to throw the stuff away, but it’s tricky find a home for outdated technology. I take most of my equipment that still has value to an eBay dealer. He takes 20%, but does a nice job of marketing and shipping the stuff.

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to upgrading technology. I can only suggest that you make educated decisions; set guidelines for upgrades until enticing new models show up; and above all else know the technology. All the information you need is available on the web today. I’m sure that’s how you found me!

Case technology for transporting lighting really hasn’t really changed that much. Lights have gotten smaller and lighter, but this hasn’t change the cases. It’s just a matter of getting the right size and padding. Many newer cases come with wheels and that’s a noteworthy addition.

The four biggest manufactures are Lightware, Tenba, Pelican, and Haliburton.

Size matters: Getting the right size and weight for air travel is tricky. Sometimes it’s just best to rent gear near your destination when you travel by air. I like to hire local assistants who own lights or can get their hands on some. I’ll pay big bucks for someone who knows the location, can get the lighting, and can pick me up at the airport. What I save on rental cars, taxis, and baggage charges can pay for an assistant.

What has changed about transporting lighting gear is the carts. There are many innovative cart designs; these are my favorites:

The Rock-N-Roller or Multi Cart R-12 All Terrain with the Retrofit Shelf Kit.

The Safco Convertable Hand Truck.

The Clipper 1000

The Two In One Ladder Hand Truck.

The Haul Master 400Lb model.

Let me know if there’s a lighting hand truck or cart that I should add to my collection. I find that you can never have too many different sizes of cases or carts.

The right method of traveling your gear is essential. Careful consideration of the way the gear is transported is often overlooked. Camera gear has changed, so the bags and cases have changed as well. Some of the new bag technology is really innovative and can make a big difference in the way you work with the equipment. Backpacks, slings, and holsters are in are replacing shoulder bags. My back welcomes these changes! Really nice Modular Systems are also coming onto the market.

Depending on the amount of gear you own, and what you do with it, I recommend owning at least three camera bags:
#1.) The largest bag that will still fit the domestic travel carry on regulation: I use the Tenba Shootout backpack shown above for this bag. It just barely fit’s into the overhead of larger planes. The shootout is a really well thought out backpack and I highly recommend it.

#2.) A medium bag that will carry just one camera body, a flash and a couple of lenses: I use the Tamrac Velocity 9 shown below which is a sling style. I love the sling style and find the Velocity 9 to be an comfortable and accessible.

#3.) A holster bag that carries only one camera and one lens: It’s nice to be able to take just the bare essentials on some shoots. The holsters below are made by Think Tank Photo.

A Boda Lens Bag (shown below)works well in conjunction with a camera holster. One on each side your shooting from the hip.

Recently more modular systems have come on the market: I like this approach a lot; each component has its own little pouch, which can be attached to a belt or harness. You still need a bag or case to carry all the pouches, but you can attach just what you want to your belt while you’re shooting.

Carefully consider how you carry everything including your laptop and tripod. Carbon fiber tripods are lighter, so they can be attached onto a backpack without making it too heavy. I also like a tripod bag that has a shoulder strap. Manfrotto makes a complete line of excellent tripod bags.

I usually work with an assistant. I often wear a modular system, while the assistant mans the main bag and tripod. Don’t be afraid to ask your girlfriend or wife to carry your tripod bag, if she complains, consider an upgrade!

I’m using Canons ST-E2 IR controller with a couple of flashes and loving it. Nikon’s solution, the SU-800 has more features. The only problem with these is you need a direct line of sight. There is a radio controller being developed by Raido Popper. I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

The Strobist is a really great blog for all things flash and Joe McNally is one of the absolute best shooters using off camera battery flashes. Joe also has a book new book out titled “The Moment It Clicks.”