Why You Need Powerful Lights for Filmmaking - Part 1
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
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Powerful lights are extremely useful tools - in part 1 of this little series, we'll have a look into a few reasons why they can be useful, utilizing daylight as a part of our lighting setups. It can be difficult to think of a 2 grand lighting unit as affordable - but if we think about the amount of money that goes into new cameras, lenses, and rigs, it's not hard to see that a pricier, powerful light, is an amazing investment for a low budget filmmaker - opening up your lighting options considerably and allowing you to better achieve your vision. We'll be exploring this topic more in depth in future parts! :)
#filmmaking #cinematic #lighting
16:9, what's going on?! ;)
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robelliscinematography.com/downloads - Two Cinematic Colour Grades in Davinci Resolve - 21 Minute Video Tutorial for £8!
Powerful lights are extremely useful tools - in part 1 of this little series, we'll have a look into a few reasons why they can be useful, utilizing daylight as a part of our lighting setups. It can be difficult to think of a 2 grand lighting unit as affordable - but if we think about the amount of money that goes into new cameras, lenses, and rigs, it's not hard to see that a pricier, powerful light, is an amazing investment for a low budget filmmaker - opening up your lighting options considerably and allowing you to better achieve your vision. We'll be exploring this topic more in depth in future parts! :)
So many lighting vids, but this channel is the most informative, practical, and useful I've been able to find. Kudos!
Wow thank you so much, I appreciate it!!
completely agree! Rob is awesome at explaining these techniques. Also refreshing to not just be all about Aputure!
Same
I agree
@@RobEllisCinematographer Was this shot on the Lumix S5? Also what is your opinion on the camera? What made you switch?
Day for night can be TRICKY and you did a REALLY nice job with it. The intro sequence had some Gregory Crewdson vibes... Loved it!
Wow, I love Gregory Crewdson, that has made my night haha! Thank you so much! :)
I'm in love with the on screen diagrams - amazing video!!
Thank you so much Adam, glad they're working well! :D
Me too!
As a up and coming filmmaker/videographer, I appreciate you explaining your lighting techniques in depth and explaining why and how you do certain things and also telling us about light and how it works. Very very well done, probably the best stuff I've seen.
You never cease to amaze me with your creative lighting techniques
Thanks so much! :) I hope they inspire others to get creative with their lighting! :D
@@RobEllisCinematographer It def does I didn’t even think you did day for night because it looked so good!
@@cj64films super happy to hear that! :D thank you!!
Rob Ellis never disappoints. Loyal to the channel.. oh my. 👊🏼👊🏼
Glad I haven't disappointed yet! ;) thank you so much!! :)
I don't do cinematography, but I do photography and your channel teaches me a LOT
Thanks!
The color grading of this video was out of this world! Great tutorial as always. Would love to see how you managed that day for night look, looks flawless!
Thanks so much!! :) moviola.com/technique/day-for-night-with-rob-ellis-davinci-resolve-tutorial/ ;)
I can't put in words how much I appreciate your channel and videos.You are one the best and unique creator on this platform and I love all your videos. Never stop doing what you do.
Thank you so much, honestly, such kind words and I really appreciate it! :) :)
Another masterclass by Rob Ellis! You are a genius with light bro! Light years ahead of 90% of youtube (no pun intended).
Thanks so much man! :) there are plenty better than me I'm sure! :D but I really appreciate it :)
One of the few channels I have no problem hitting like before I even watch the video.
Thank you so much!
Great great great! So inspiring just seeing the simple shots of you on the sofa. Makes me want to make short films using lighting properly! I'm guilty of all the other content creators - just slap a large softbox on a light and away you go. But this is simply stunning the results you get. Cinematic gold!
That's awesome that it's inspiring you, super glad to hear that! Nothing wrong with a simple softbox setup for soft light! :) but always good to experiment and learn other ways to light, absolutely! Thanks so much James!
That opening scene! That blue wash on that overhead shot in the bed is absolutely beautiful!
Thank you so much!! Just simple window light too! :D
@@RobEllisCinematographer Yes, I love the simplicity of your setup. Too many times do I think about trying to use ALL of my equipment. More efficient planning on the front-end, like what you are showing here is a great reminder of how setups can be simple and achieve very great results for the look/feel.
I always come to your videos to have my mind blown away. I've said this before, brother: you're a damn genius. You and Jacques Crafford together be would the best production company in the world.
My best ever video to learn something (i mean the complete 46 minutes version). Just thank you very much.
I ALWAYS forget that Day for Night is a thing until I see it done. Incredible video boss.
Day for night is such a great tool if you don't have the budget to close off entire areas and fly huge bounce balloons in the sky haha! Thanks so much Peter!
Dude you're a gem. LOVE from India.
Thank you so much man, love right back from the UK!
Most legit cinematography channel on UA-cam
Aah man there are plenty on here more legit than me! ;) Thank you so much though it really means a lot! :)
This is perfect. Slow in the best way possible. thanks for sharing
This is the first convincing day to night I see in years... Movies (made with dollar$$$) included. Excellent job!
Thank you so much Mattia!
Just to let you know,one of your tutorials has been shared in Cinematography.com forum by a great DOP. It's a great forum with some of the most renowned DOPs out there in it. Felt proud to be a subscriber from very begining .
Wow really? That's awesome! I regularly lurk on the forums but I've never actually become a member! Do you have a link to the post? Would love to check it out! And I really appreciate it man, thank you so much for your support, it means a lot!! :)
Yes ,here . I only rely on this forum otherwise I try to take the best out of UA-cam.
cinematography.com/index.php?/topic/86532-deakins-cove-lighting-possible-with-led/
Your channel has become on of the most useful channels for filmmaking lately, really appreciating the knowledge you're sharing with everyone 🤘
Thank you so much and I'm glad you're getting a lot out of my videos :)
best lighting channel on youtube by far. And man, what a powerful light that is.
Thanks so much! :) it is quite something!
Bro ur channel has the only intention for great content thank you so much brother
Outstanding !! this channel it has a massive impact in the world of film making.
My dude. Your videos changed how I light. Big props. You deserve way more recognition on YT 👌👌👌
That's so awesome to hear, I'm glad they've helped!! Thanks so much Kenny!
i always learn so much from your channel rob! would you consider making a video to achieve a daylight look while still keeping the lights inside? i dont know much about lighting or whats possible haha but it would be so helpful for those in small spaces or not being able to rig a light from outside. always love your techniques & you give the best advice!!
Happy to hear that! :) one of my previous videos on fill light sort of covers this - ua-cam.com/video/0qWkaCCxEtw/v-deo.html - but it might be nice to make a video more specifically aimed at using lights inside for a daylight look - I'll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion! And thank you for the kind words! :D
Perfection. Making me so much better at lighting man!
So great. And wow, those day for night scene were very convincing, I had no idea.
Thank you so much! :) just one of the advantages of having a powerful light :D
god knows how much i've waited for a new video to pop out! haha
thanks again for sharing, and great video! As usual
Ah man thank you so much, glad I could provide! They're getting a bit longer these days so there's a bit more of a delay between them!
Thanks Luis!! :)
@@RobEllisCinematographer I absolutelly don't mind waiting a litle longer haha
Brilliant, simple & articulate as always 🎥👍🏻👍🏻💪🏼💪🏼
Thanks so much! Glad it's all coming through clearly! :D
@@RobEllisCinematographer Serious work, seriously committed to the craft.👍🏻💪🏼💪🏼🎥
@@RobEllisCinematographer Crystal !!! Have been looking for someone like yourself to spell it out without all the industry BS & Hype. Your Channel is really one of a kind. Patreon your work & make them masterclasses. They are vital & worth it to a growing film community of future film makers.
Rob, I just want to let you know that I love your videos and look forward to every upload. I've learned so much from you. Thank you.
Thank you so much Nate! I really appreciate it and super happy to know you're learning from my videos! :)
MAN YOURE A LEGEND REALLY LOVE YOUR VIDS YOU WILL BE AN OSCAR WINNER IN FUTURE
Haha I don't think I'll ever quite get there :D but thank you so much for the kind words man it really means a lot!
lovely video my friend!
Amazing use of a cloudy day! Well done 👍
Crazy what you can do with natural light with the right tools! Thank you so much! :)
@@RobEllisCinematographer it blew my mind when you revealed you shot those exteriors during the day 🤯
Let me be very clear and say that this was my first time ever watching this channel, and I straight up thought this opening sequence was from a movie.
I REALLY want a light like this. I can't wait to get my hands on one to figure out more about lighting. Thank you for this video. So good.
Wow that's awesome, thank you so much, really! :) it's always difficult to see your own work as a legitimate thing, if that makes sense, so super appreciative of comments like this! Absolutely, powerful lights open up a lot of different ways to light :D
@@RobEllisCinematographer that makes perfect sense! I think we all struggle with that, if even a little.
Now just to drop $1,500 on this light 😂
@@RobEllisCinematographer Just wanted to let you know that I just bought the Nanlite Forza 500 off BH Photo! I can't wait to use it and try some of the things you were showing in this video. Again, thanks so much for enlightening us on how valuable strong lighting is. :)
Rob Ellis is the most talented man alive , i will fight you if you disagree 👿.but seriously rob we do appreciate your work , keep doing what you're doing mate because you are doing great 💚💚.
Haha too kind! ;) thank you so much, and I really appreciate the appreciation! :) thank you for the kind words :D 💚💚💚
The quality of the intro alone... WHEW.. You recorded this with an eyeball?!?!
edit: seriously though, amazing tutorial, I'm really looking forward to the subsequent parts!
Haha thank you so much! The camera I've been using recently has a beautiful sensor and recording options :D happy to hear that, I'm looking forward to putting them together!
You’re fantastic, Rob!
Thank you so much Jesse!!
Wow... I’m thoroughly impressed. I haven’t seen such high quality tutorials like this in a while.
Thank you so much! Happy to hear that! :)
Felt like I needed to meditate or do yoga while watching. Great video, great content, and great ch'i.
Also, there's an audio error/glitch at 6:08 (maybe a few seconds before or after.)
Haha fantastic! I try to create a mood to fit the video, but also to take in the information, I quite like the fact you've likened it to meditation! Thanks so much! I hadn't noticed the audio glitch, oops!
Ah! You got me with the shed exterior shot. I was going "How the Hell did he get such nice ambient light - fake moon?" Nice!
Haha ;) crazy what you can do with light! Thank you so much!
Man I know these tutorials are fantastic, but I never thought lighting could be so powerful that it would get wahmen asking for boyfriends after watching. I kid, but the videos are quite invaluable, thank you for all the value Rob!
Hahahaha UA-cam bots are the worst, such a hassle removing it all! Thank you so much and I'm super happy you're finding value in my videos! :)
@@RobEllisCinematographer Yessir, thank ya Sir!
The Forza lights are so dope! Cool day for night demo. Fury Road had a whole scene shot like this (in the wasteland), looks awesome.
They are! Thank you! :) absolutely, the Fury Road day for night gets some flack but personally I bloody loved it!
incredible work and visuals
Thanks so much Jim!
The Leylines - fun band ! Nice work as always!
Thank you so much! :) I don't see them in this video though?! Haha! Definitely have been in some previous videos of mine though!
Rob, once again a very beautifully crafted video. The intro really got me. GREAT work again! Keep it up man.
Super happy to hear! It's tough doing little bits like that completely on your own but also a great way to practise! Thanks so much! :D
Rob! Infinite Appreciation for you, brother! You and your amazing content are Legendary, and I'm learning much from you. 🏆
Thank you so so much and I'm super happy to hear you're learning from my videos! :)
@@RobEllisCinematographer You're very welcome, mate! :)
Love your material and lighting techniques. But let’s be honest, it’s your grade that really makes it. Will be purchasing your course soon
Hey you nail the composition and lighting and sometimes rec.709 is enough! ;) but thank you so much, happy to hear that and I really appreciate the support!! :D
@@RobEllisCinematographer clearly it is! You’ve relinquished all my fanboy desires to get a c70, a7s3, Fx6 or the like. I’ll stick with the BMPCC 6k, image quality is by far what I care about most, I can do without AF and all that for now. But I would like to get an ursa g2 alongside it one day. But your work with the original BMPCC is soooo much better than what I see done with the aforementioned cameras, a huge testament to your skill and technique
@@Artfulscience1 the BMPCC 6k seems like a great camera from what I've seen, those 6k braw files are lovely to grade right?! I'm actually on a bit of a hype about the camera I shot this video with at the moment, as it's surprised me how damn good the image is and it's nice to have a step up in resolution! But those older Blackmagic sensors have such a nice feel to them!! Thank you so much for the kind words man :)
@@RobEllisCinematographer I haven’t graded any yet! But it seems like it is quite amazing. Yes I saw you had a new camera but couldn’t quite tell what it was. Panasonic s1h? It looks amazing
Outstanding work, man. Hands down!
Much appreciated Dimitrie, thank you so much! :)
This was, as ever Rob, so informative!
Thanks so much Patrick! Happy to hear! :)
This video is honestly incredible. So informative and SO high quality! Hats off to you Rob!
Thanks Adam, glad to know it's informative, sometimes I feel like I haven't explained enough haha!
@@RobEllisCinematographer Honestly mate, with the overhead lighting diagrams it's super clear! Keep smashing them!
thank you rob , this is the perfect channel to start lighting journey and more ..
Thank you so much! :)
subscribed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i was sold by the opener.
Thank you so much for the sub! That's great to hear!! :)
Your videos are absolutely awesome brother!
Thanks so much David I appreciate it! :)
@@RobEllisCinematographer you bet brother! Keep it up man!
This is soooo.... good! Thank you 🙏
Thank you so much! :)
Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you for watching!!
Great job as usual !
This is brilliant
Thanks so much! :)
I feel like I should be paying to watch this channel. Damn.
Haha thank you so much! :)
Constantly learning from this channel !!
Super happy to hear that!
Mad mad gratitude to you.
Thank you so much! :)
Your videos never disappoint! Thanks for this video!
I'll try and keep it up! ;) thank you so much! :)
I'm surprised you don't have links to the light and accessories you show in this video. That's a missed opportunity for affiliate income. Love your work!
Would love to see the breakdown tutorial on how to grade for night like you did. You amazing men
moviola.com/technique/day-for-night-with-rob-ellis-davinci-resolve-tutorial/ - ;) thank you so much!
You are so creative and give me so much inspiration how to use the equipment I owned. THANKS!!
Omg I was literally setting up to try out some lighting tests and I was thinking “it would be nice if Rob Ellis uploaded something” and not 5 mins passed and here I am lol.
It was fate! Glad I timed that one right for you man haha!
@@RobEllisCinematographer just finished the video! Great stuff as always! I have been looking to get a powerful workhorse light for a while now. Just recently I’ve been lucky enough to work as a Grip for a bigger production instead of my usual freelance solo work so I’ve gotten to play around with some more expensive lights (300d MK II, 120d, Quasars, etc.) also working under a Gaffer and a DP has taught me so much by just watching them work.
I was debating on investing on either a 300d MK II or a Litepanel Astra 6x Bi-color (one being a single-source and the other a panel but still is able to mount modifiers on it), so I can demote the GVM 800Ds to secondary/auxiliary lights. But then it struck me, yes a very powerful light will help me greatly in being more versatile, but what’s the use of a strong light if I’m not able to properly shape it? While gripping we barely just used the lights by themselves, most of the time there were 2-3 uses of modification for each source. So I feel like having a good kit (C-Stands, Flags for Negative fill, diffusion, bounce, gels, grids, frost, domes, etc.) is equally important or even a prerequisite before getting a strong light. In hindsight it seems pretty obvious to have the ability to shape your source in a multitude of ways, but I guess I got caught up in the gear itself and not how to properly implement said gear. So I think the right way to go for me is to build up my modifier kit more before I go head first with a powerful light. What do you think?
I can’t wait for part 2! I’ll keep this series saved for later to implement when I finally get a powerful light lol.
Thanks Rob. Such informative and educational content. Really appreciated.
Another fantastic video!
I just started working on my first short, thanks for all the lessons, keep em coming!!👍😁
Absolutely man, will do! Thanks for your support! And good luck with the short! :D
@@RobEllisCinematographer thanks 😁
That intro was so good, hereditary vibes
Ha thank you so much Jorge! What a film!
So pleased I’ve found these videos. Thanks for the insight!
Glad they're helpful! Thank you for watching! :D
Very good!
it is
a usefull material and inteligent approaach... i like your style man!! thank you!!
Thanks so much, super happy you found it useful!! :)
Great work, Rob! I loved the intro sequence.
Thank you so much Imanuel! It was a fun little thing to shoot! :)
Thank you Rob, great content as usual.
Thanks so much Cliff! :)
That's amazing! 👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you! :D
I have watched some of your vids and man, you are so cool and so professional! Subbed!
Thank you so much Dominic!! And thank you for your sub! :D
thanks for all the information, very impactful
Absolutely! Thank you so much! :)
THIS. IS. AMAZING
Thank you so much! :)
You are Such inspiration ♥️
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! ❤
Keep Going im never missed a video ♥️
Brilliant content, super useful! You always put out great work!
Thanks so much Freddie! Let's hope I can keep it up! ;)
Seeing this guy smile once would be nice lol
Never! 🤣 I've actually got braces at the moment because I never did when I was younger - so maybe when they're off 😅
Informative, generous, educational. Thanks!
Thank you so much! :)
Fantastic video!
Thanks Tommy! :)
Fantastic tipps, many thanks :)
Absolutely, thank you! :)
very dope, thank you sir ! and cheers from chocolate country switzerland.
Glad you enjoyed it!! Cheers! :D
You're an inspiration!
Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much! I'll try my best! :)
Rob always enjoy watching your content, feels well paced, well informed and put together nicely, happy new year to you!
Thanks so much Byron, glad you're enjoying my videos! And a happy new year to you too man! :D
Then fact that the night scene was shot during the day is crazy
It's amazing what you can do if you've got enough power!
Gold! Thank you.
Thanks so much!
Invaluable stuff man❤️ thankyou so much
Thank you!! And I'm glad you're finding it useful :D
Great video!
The 3 dislikes on the video are obviously from someone who either hates you personally or those who can never be able to make as fantastic videos as you are making,
keep it up...
and by the way, I heard that the NEEWER 660 RGB is a great budget RGB LED and also brighter than the GVM 50RS. I am requesting you to check it out and review it.
Thank you! :) Haha thanks man, could even be bots - let's hope it's bots ;) thanks for the suggestion on the Neewer 660, I'll see if I can have a look into it soon!
Really nice content ! ! !
Fantastic tutorial!
Thank you! :)
yes dude I adore you
Haha thanks so much!
Just as I'm looking at VL300's and Amaran 200d's hahah, you're a legend man!
Haha thanks man! It's a damn good time for affordable, powerful lights!!
Thank you
Love this🙌🏽
Happy to hear that, thank you!! :)
Simply amazing!
Thanks Bo! And I really appreciate you going through and watching my work, thank you so much! :D
@@RobEllisCinematographer Don't thank me, thank you for your impressive work! And just a side note: Do you make voice-overs?
@@Bo_Hazem I appreciate it! I don't do any voice over stuff, just these UA-cam videos! :)
@@RobEllisCinematographer I'm so thirsty for more of your top tier videos! I'll keep watching the rest but this video was simply shocking! We get this overcast weather during June-September here so might try something myself one day using your amazing tricks. I really hope you the best and would love to know if you have any Sony LUT's for DaVinci Resolve! I have an a7S III.