At the Bench: The Light Bridge CRLS Reflectors

In this blog, Ian takes a look at how to build a CRLS system and create various lighting effects. Read more: www.abelcine.com/articles/blo...

[@opqrst7]

I love CRLS. The very contemporary way of lighting, especially, for lighting dynamic scenes, and in small or challenging spaces. My question is why the shape of the reflectors are not circular? This is especially for the light pattern of The #1 and #2 plates. The light pattern is significantly unnatural (seeing a radiating spotlight in a rectangular light frame). With a circular plate, the reflected light falloff would look more natural (on shiny surfaces or in people's eyes) unless you mimic a window or so. At least, you can give people the choice of a circular or rectangular plate.

[@Skanda1111]

The same reason a flag is rectangular. Shaping the shadows become easier. For circular shape of light you can attach cookies or focus it using a lens.

[@earthlevel4569]

thnx Ian!

[@garagetalk3749]

Do these reflectors automatically produce a softer source? I understand that they produce a more diffuse source, but isn't softness a function of the size of the source (no matter how diffuse) and the distance to the subject? I believe a diffuse 1x1 source will not be as soft as a diffuse 2x2 source. For example, Ian's tests saw the model's nose shadow reduce in size as he went up through the more diffuse reflectors. But the sharp edge of the model's nose shadow remained. Take a look at all 4 and the shadow never loses its sharp edge. Would a large soft source, like a large softbox or a booklight, come at the model more from the sides and soften the edges of the nose shadow?

[@halfgraincinematography]

Yes you’re absolutely right and this is wrongly portrayed in this video. What the different versions of this reflector can affect is the type of spread from its surface. So number one basically is a slightly diffused mirror, which means pointing with a tiny flashlight on it would not lead to an evenly spread reflection but be brighter in the center than the corners. Also the direction would be almost perfectly mirrored. Moving up to number 4 makes it more and more a Softbox hence an evenly lit surface being more focused at first and similar to a space light with number 4. it NEVER makes it possible to wrap light more than any other soft light source of this size could. Wrap of a soft diffused and evenly lit light source, like you assumed correctly, has to do with two things only. Size and distance of the light source in regards to what it is lighting.

[@halfgraincinematography]

It is basically a reflector on steroids and can replace a silver or white bounce, mimic a shot through diffusion of the same size and can make flags unnecessary. It’s super practical I’m sure in many situations but it can’t do magic or defy physics. So it doesn’t make anything softer than a any cheap diffusion fabric would.

[@saltdogmedia4204]

@@halfgraincinematography much less about the softness then it is about the parrallel beam. which gives your directional soft light. no flags. less stands,. less wasted light,

[@davidp158]

I have watched other videos about these reflectors, and none have really demonstrated practical applications. I get the concept behind them, and believe they can be very useful in small spaces. I’m just not convinced they are much more than a niche item with very limited use. Also, they are extremely expensive for what they are. Please prove me wrong as I am intrigued every time I see people discussing them....and always frustrated to not see an adequate demonstration of what they can do.

[@vladbobe26]

Dave Patterson the way he used it in this video isnt showing the true potential. I saw several other videos made by the guys from CRLS I think, where they used a PAR attachment on an 800 joker and managed to light a whole room with just that light by using different reflectors with said light, bouncing it in differents parts of the room and they where bouncing it from outside, through a window. The quality was beautiful, and there were no cables, stands etc. You just need a strong, narrow beam of light

[@earthlevel4569]

I think the ultimate advantage is being able to throw soft light without the need for cutters, floppies, and stands.

[@davidp158]

@@earthlevel4569 Eliminating gak on set would be very nice, especially in tight spaces. I really like the concept of these mirrors, but they seem highly overpriced for what they are.

[@earthlevel4569]

@@davidp158 absolutely they are very pricey. I've been experimenting with the theory by using cookie sheets until rental houses start carrying them.

[@davidp158]

@@earthlevel4569 Being able to position the angle of these is obviously important, but aside from the mounting hardware, what warrants the high cost of these reflectors? Let us know how the cookie sheets work out!

[@aLittlePal]

this way of working is so much more efficient. saves up so many stands and big boards and giant boxes.