Ben, this video’s thumbnail has no blue or pink fill lights in the background - are you ok??? What’s happened??? ;) (ps. I love your obsession with pink and blue, and it looks awesome, I’m just joshing you)
Hi Ben...this year I have decided to work on my lighting and audio. While I don't want to break the bank I do want to invest in better quality items that will work for a long time...that being said if you have an ok budget would you first focus on audio or lighting if you could only do one thing at a time.
I appreciate that you go out of your way to tell people who are just starting out or only doing this kind of stuff casually/for fun to NOT splurge on the newest high-end stuff.
@@benjohnsoncreative Exactly. It's all about how you use the tools you're given. I mean, that's how RU-vid came to be, anyway! Just average people pointing and shooting with whatever they had!
The mountdog light looks like a super great light for beginners. My favorite light combo: Godox UL 150 with a Laofas D90B softbox... It made lighting so easy for me. I spent way too much time trying to make cheaper lights work, but now it is so easy. And having a good light makes color grading and getting good skintones a breeze.
You can use the diffuser from a five in one reflector: amzn.to/3GMigpY Or even a bed sheet as I show here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ETnctiaQHIc.html Or shine it away from you so it bounces back onto you
Great video Ben! I never get tired of your videos about lighting, and I've been liking the focus on different budgets. Can't wait until you hit 100k subs!
Nice one Ben. As always. got the mountdog already and it is a great entry level light. but wudnt know how to use it until i watch one of your mountdog videos. the flap lights are one that i aspire to. thanks for sharing. liked and shared
Fantastic video! I am so glad you mentioned the GVM 100K Kit, Does anyone have experience with this. I was looking at Neewer Lights but this one tops those ones slightly.
I love your videos and just subscribed. I’m wondering if you have any advice for shooting in a home dance studio with some eastern facing natural light? I practice in late afternoon, early evening (sometimes late at night). I built an 8 ft x 8 ft sprung dance floor (bamboo) and have mirrors on one wall that are 12 feet long (7ft high). I’d like to be able to play with mood, but color not as much as keeping it bright and flattering. I was thinking $300 tops for this. If anyone else has any advice, I’d appreciate it as well. Thank you. Sorry for asking for free advice here...I do value your videos. 🙏🏼
What do you suggest I use for tabletop how-to videos? I want something that won't take up too much room and will make my videos look awesome. Thanks for your help. Keep up the great work.
You could try the mountdog soft box Reality is, for doing flat lay style shots I really prefer to use large soft boxes They will give you the best look Larger light sources = softer light It’s a convenience trade off but worth it if possible
@@benjohnsoncreative Ok cool. I also watched your review on the GVM 100w light. I think you said that light was better than the mountdog. I don’t mind spending the extra money if it’s going to make a difference. I think I’ll go with the GVM 100w unless you know of a better one in the same price range. Thanks again for all of your help.
Thanks, Ben! I subscribed and just ordered a lighting kit (not $50 anymore though lol). I don't make youtube videos but I need some new lights for taking photos for my blog.
So in Scotland the Mountdog softbox set it far from 50 buckaroos.... it's £112, thats 136 buckaroos. I'm guessing that's no longer a budgety budget option lol
So I am filming in a smaller room... I shoot with neewer 660 lights with softbox . My room is 2.3metres wide. Would it be worth buying the flapjacks C-700RSV. Love your vids and big up the bald Cafe video
Here you go this is the same exact light: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083TRP38F/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=benjohnsonc0f-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B083TRP38F&linkId=24d26a86f3cce4e420cedb99a546c559
Since a lot of lights can be controlled by an app now. I find it handy to buy from one brand so I only have to use one app for all lighting settings. I found godox had the best price to performance for me. I use a sl30bi and 2*tl30. For my 2m*2m home studio, the dl30bi has a very convenient small softbox/dome. For bigger needs I rent, dont have spare space for storage 😂😅
@@benjohnsoncreative true that, not one cracked the code of an optimal solution just for me 🤣 keeps us busy though 😁 If a company brings out a range of products that can be controlled by browser interface and can interface with automation like home assistant.. I would order if the price wasn't overhyped. Untill then... It works, and works better than 30 years ago when I started. The things I can do at home now... Ridiculous 😁👍 A big advantage is that when an "expensive" piece of gear hits the market I think back at the time I spent 35k on a specialized pci card that could handle 2x ide av 1.7gb harddisks. For a whopping 5 minutes of sd footage 😁
Hey, Ben! I've been binging all of your videos for like a week now. I want to shoot guitar covers at home but I could just barely afford the Viltrox L116T. I'm thinking about buying one and using it as a rim light, getting a 5in1 reflector and trying to get creative with either my desk lamp or my phone light for the hair light. Do you think I'd be able to get a decent quality vid with these three, do you have any advice about maybe changing the purpose of the few lights I got? Thanks for all the helpful vids!!!
Hello Ben .Can I make a video with natural light without any spot lights ? Can I make my videos great with virtual lighting ? Or ıs that an obligation to use spot lights ? Is that one way to make great videos ?
Great content! However you mentioned in the video that flapjacks are not great for small rooms setup, may I know why? I'm doing makeup review/tutorial and interview videos for youtube, I live in a small apartment, what would you recommend for me? I was thinking the flapjacks would be the best since it's the slimmest of all but I might be wrong 😂Thanks in advance!
Best for you would be the mountdog softbox in my opinion, the flapjacks could work great for you, they are just overkill if you are leaving them in a room, they are meant to be used on the go
@@benjohnsoncreative ahh I see! the thing is we can't get a mountdog in the uk, we have some similar options on amazon like Andoer, and Neewer, but it's at least 80 pounds and the review says it's flimsy and a pain to assemble (was looking for something for a home temporary set up). I was just thinking if it's not that cheap either.. should I just top up and get something like amaran 60d? the GVM 80w looks appealing for a kit under 200 pounds, but currently out of stock. Would you recommend getting two cheap softboxes or invest in one good softbox?
I love your videos Ben! They are so helpful. I would love to know what lights would you recommend to shoot dance videos. I would like to buy some lights that are versatile to film, for instance lights that have RGB flood and spot light :) Thank you!!
You can use something to diffuse the light even more but it’s not needed, I’ve used them on hundreds on videos in a variety of locations without anything extra
@@benjohnsoncreative I switch to Fotodiox Studio XL from my Aputure 120D and Light Dome II, and I can't get a similar kind of soft lighting. I know I should not compare but still, would really be great considering the space-saving I get.
Hello Ben, I am creating a reaction video show with my son. A lot different lighting scenarios. Should I get to mad dog lights as a key light or do one in the center and get two fill lights and angle them ? Great content!
I’d get two mountdog. Most of the time you can use one as the key and won’t even need a fill depending on where it’s placed but two would work just fine
Thanks for the reply! One more question, I am looking to add a external mic to my cannon M50. Not sure what mic to go with. I will be playing records and giving our reaction/feedback so I want the viewer to hear the songs plus our feedback. I am not sure if a shotgun mic is suitable for my channel… what do you recommend?
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 *💡 Introduction to the topic: Key lights for any budget* - Introduction of the video content: discussion about various key lights for any budget. 00:35 *🪟 Highlight of the Free Key Light Option: Window Light* - Discusses the first key light option, which is window light. - Window light is free but has downsides like inconsistency and lack of control. 01:34 *🟡 Overview of the Rolando Low-Budget Light* - Brief overview of a low-budget light from Rolando. - This light is bi-color adjustable and has a rechargeable internal battery. 02:04 *👍 Discussion about the Mount Dog Softbox Light Kit* - Presents Mount Dog Softbox light kit, defined as the best value for money. - This kit is bright, dimmable, color temperature adjustable, has a remote control, and only costs $50. 03:30 *🪧 Visual presentation of the Conference Call Key Light* - Consideration of a unique desk light from Visimon, mainly used for conference calls or desk work. - It has a unique desk mount that is height adjustable and is user-friendly. 04:27 *🎵 Sponsor Segment: Soundstripe Platform* - Talks about the sponsor of the video, Soundstripe, a platform with a library of music for legal licensing. - Provides a discount code for the viewers of this video. 05:37 *💥 Discussion about the GVM 100W Light* - Overview of the GVM 100W, a super bright, and super soft key light. - Provides details about the pros and cons of the light. 06:22 *🎬 Review of the Fotodiox Flapjacks Light* - discusses the Fotodiox Flapjacks, durable lights for professional work on the field. - These lights are versatile and can be used for a wide range of projects. 07:30 *🎉 Conclusion and Encouragement to Stay Creative* - Wraps up the video, encourages viewers to explore budget options for key lights. - Reinforces the message that it's less about the gear and more about how you use it.
