Best Equipment For The Job: Lighting

By Sydney Screams

If you’re doing more than webcamming, you are going to need good lighting. Most cameras require better lighting than what the average person happens to have at their home; floor lamps and table lamps tend to only have one, low wattage bulb that doesn’t give off enough light needed to produce a quality image. You’re going to need better (and more) equipment than a few standard home lamps, and you’re going to have to pay for it. As a producer or self-producing model, lighting is key. Luckily, there are several options depending on your budget and your needs. Ask yourself a few questions before you choose what to buy: Do you travel a lot? What is your budget? How many lights do you need? How many lights do you have space for? How many people are you generally shooting?

Saving by buying one light is a great way to start, although you’ll find that buying individual lights will quickly add up since kits tend to be cheaper options. My personal two favorite budget brands for lighting are Cowboy Studios and Smith Victor. Both offer budget lighting (although you may not initially think so based on the $100-700+ light kits). Both Cowboy Studios and Smith Victor offer a range in lighting kits that may or may not include a carrying case (a must if you travel a lot), and include anywhere from one light up to four lights. Although you may think that you only need one light, you’ll then have the problem of shadows. You can easily start off with one light (around $90 for a 5 bulb light with soft box and light stand) and then add a second once you are able to afford to do so. However, if you can afford to go ahead and get a 2-3 light kit right off the bat, I recommend doing so! Smith Victor offers a 1250-Watt 3 light kit (2 regular lights, plus a hair light, 3 stands, umbrellas and carrying case) for around $275 http:// www.amazon.com/3-Light-1250-Watt-Thrifty-Mini-Boom-Carrying/dp/B0000AJB80/ref=sr_1_10?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1347385444&sr=1-10&keywords=victor+smith+light. Alternatively, Cowboy Studio offers a 3300-Watt 3 light kit (2 regular lights, plus hair light, 3 stands, 3 soft boxes and carrying case) for $250 http://www.cowboystudio.com/product_p/vl-9026s-b85w.htm . With video lighting, avoid getting a lighting kit with less than 1000 watts. While you may not need 1250 or 3300 watts that come with either of these two options, having too much light is better than having not enough. You can always turn off a bulb or two, whereas you can’t always add a bulb or two.

Having good lighting makes the difference between “eh” and “wow!” quality when you are selling clips. Your customers will notice a difference and trust me when I say that nobody complains about better quality content. Just a tip: You don’t need to shine the light directly on yourself unless there’s a soft box or umbrella, but bouncing light off the ceiling will provide you with clean, soft lighting. Having good, soft light will make the HD look better, but also soften out your skin, which in turn makes you look better! Win!

Sydney Screams: Fetish Model, Clip Producer, Adult Actress, Radio Talk Show Host