How to Use a 5 in 1 Spotlight
A 5-in-1 spotlight is a versatile tool with multiple uses. It can soften hard light, fill in shadows and even shape the lighting.
Written employee spotlights can highlight a person’s background, achievements, and contributions at your company. A video interview or feature, however, can bring their personality to life.
Softening Hard Light
While many photographers preach about how soft light is all that should exist, hard lighting can still be used to create beautiful images. It just takes a little more work to get right.
One of the key aspects to consider when shooting with hard light is how dark or bright the shadows are. If the shadows are very dark, it creates a hard edge and can look unnatural. If the shadows are too light, it can create a flat image and lack contrast.
The best way to control the quality of the shadows is by using a diffusion panel. Simply placing a white or silver diffusing panel between your light source and subject will soften the light. However, keep in mind that the diffuser will cut down on the intensity of the light so you will need to adjust your exposure accordingly.
The other major factor in creating a hard or soft light is the size of the light source and the distance between it and the subject. The bigger and closer your light is, the softer it will be (think about the sun). You can also create a softer light by bouncing it off a large reflector.
Filling in Shadows
The 5-in-1 spotlight has a tight, long-throw spot light beam for distance illumination. It also has a wide, close area floodlight expressly designed for filling in shadows and providing a smooth, even light on subjects within close proximity.
Katie used a two-flash setup to soften her clients’ hard-edged shadows, with the natural sunlight as the rim light and the flashes as the fill lights. To replicate this setup, mentally establish a 5 in 1 spotlight triangle shape with your client at one point of the triangle and the flashes occupying the other points.
To determine the ratio between your main and fill lights, hold an incident light meter first in front of the shadow side of your subject, then in front of the highlight side. The amount of detail shown in the shadows and highlights is the ratio.
Backlighting
Backlighting is a great way to show off stained glass and other decorative objects. It creates an even and controlled environment both day and night and eliminates distracting shadows. To backlight with a 5 in 1 spotlight, simply place the light behind your object.
A reflector is a great tool for doing this because it can be shaped and bent to fit your subject. For example, if your subject has a double chin, you can use the reflector to bend it around them and soften their chin shadow. This technique also works well with still life subjects like food and flowers.
Our 5-in-1 Clamp Style all LED Task Light is the perfect tool for backlighting as it combines a tight-beam long-throw spotlight with a wide-beam close area floodlight. It also features a DMX controller, strobe and sound activated modes for added versatility. You can even connect multiple units to control lighting with just one remote or mobile APP.
Shaping the Light
For a more realistic lighting effect you can LED Strobe Mobile Light use the spotlight’s parameters to shape the beam. Using the sliders in this group allows you to set how wide (beam angle) or narrow (radius) the spotlight beam is, and also to control the color of the light and the color of the shadow it casts.
The Radius parameter controls the width of a virtual stencil disc that fits the spotlight’s beam exactly – much like a real-life gobo would. The texture you use will be cropped or repeated depending on its size compared to the stencil.
The Power value determines the amount of luminous flux a spotlight emits when unclipped, and it can be adjusted in Lumen or Watt (Lumen is recommended). This checkbox allows you to maintain constant total light output (checked) or constant illuminance (unchecked) when adjusting the Beam Angle.
Diffusion Panel
A diffusion panel is a great way to diffuse and soften the light coming from your 5 in 1 spotlight. It works by redirecting the direct light from your flash through a layer of white or black diffusion material.
This makes it a bit softer and more diffused than your direct light source, which is especially useful for those hard-to-reach areas like the neck and shoulders. It can also be used to create a more flattering catch light in the eyes.
You can use a diffusion panel by placing it between your subject and your light source, or even directly over your lens. The downside of this is that it will cut down the brightness of your light, so you’ll need to make sure your exposure is correct.
While some photographers will try to get around using diffusion by using books or other items on a bookcase, this method is often less efficient than using an actual diffusion panel. The layout and composition of the books is not likely to match the precise design and performance of a professional diffusion panel.
