Meet The Gaffer

My first attempt to use the Lightstream Reflector system in a simple set up.
Find more information about Dedolight and Lightstream here:
www.dedolightcalifornia.com/
Charles Smallwood of G-Force grip put together the handy pin to pin with the ball joint in the middle. Check his solutions here:
g-force-grips.com/
Find out more about Seerveld Lighting here:
www.seerveld.com

[@kentj1]

I'm not even in this business, but you're so obsessed that it makes the video interesting and educational.

[@meetthegaffer]

Ha, ha! My apologies🤪

[@Photographicelements]

I LOVE this type of video because it is exactly what you need to do on set, set up best guess lights, see what it does, then adjust, then adjust some more. You could make more of these videos, with different lighting scenarios, I’d watch all of them! (I’ll even send you the recipe to my mom’s chocolate pie....)

[@rickyp74]

Thanks for the video Mr. Seerveld. I first saw this type of system a few years ago and thought it was a very interesting approach to lighting. There weren't many videos on it and I forgot about it, but started researching it again recently and still not alot of video outside of the manufacturers talking about their product. So it was nice to see your video not only showing it in a mock shoot but how it compares to the same "scene" with other light setup. I very much enjoy and learn alot form your channel. Thanks again, Rick.

[@elysianharbinger]

So glad that you did another video about Reflector Systems!

[@dominiccole]

Hi Luke! Thanks for the video! If you continue to play around with these: The point at which this system gets really exciting is when you place one of these tiny reflectors in the beam created by a bigger reflector. This way you can use one light to key and backlight a subject. You could even use two of the small reflectors and backlight two subjects with the same light that is also keying both of them. Really exciting if you think about it. But of course, this only works properly with parallel light, since the intensity does apparently not decrease a the same rate as with non-parallel light.

[@meetthegaffer]

Good note!

[@kjvisual7]

I liked you honest captions near the end. "Not even close" 🤣 was fun.

[@meetthegaffer]

😬

[@niborski2997]

Thank you Luke for putting so much time and effort into your videos. There was a time when 'the industry' was a closed shop cloaked in secrecy and mystery about sharing expertise. The expression 'if I told you, I would have to shoot you' was the arrogant attitude. You share your hard earned skills with enthusiasm and humility. You deserve all of that smashing looking pie. Oh and BTW that reflector system is revolutionary. Making one light do two jobs is always satisfying, but making one light do multi jobs is magical.

[@meetthegaffer]

Thank you for the kind words. Luckily I don’t have that many secrets to divulge. I just received what I think is a CRLS starter kit, so looking forward to checking that out!

[@lightforce3642]

Thanks Luke, just got a set of the MC's super handy ,shot a van interior the other night just magneted on and the app is really easy to operate.

[@meetthegaffer]

Sweet!

[@jakemoore880]

Super helpful to have a real hands on look at the system that isn't a marketing video.

[@RamRam-cg3rq]

you deserve every and each bite of the cake man, you are hero to do that alone

[@meetthegaffer]

Ha!

[@Calvindaydop]

Thanks for this video Luke!

[@MarcosRochaTV]

That pie looked delicious :) This was super educational, as always.

[@hewhohewho]

Thanks for making this demo, Luke. I've always wanted to play with this reflector system but never got the chance.Your vid will definitely help me convince my DP to bring these toys on our next job ^_^. (also, awesome idea to throw in the pie-making process, haha)

[@meetthegaffer]

Ha, ha! Good luck and let us know how it works out!

[@hogwashsentinel]

That translucent backsplash is awesome!

[@philcormier]

Luke, this is the best! You made a Dedo Pie during this lighting demonstration!

[@meetthegaffer]

Ha, ha! Always looking for story arc🙂

[@manmadewilderness]

Thank goodness you finally got that pie built! It’s great you’re sharing playing around the house, since we’re not working much. Have you thought about using a wireless video feed to a handheld monitor to check your lighting of the set while you’re outside rigging lights & reflectors? Too much tech? And your stand in model only puts up with so much of this. Thank her again for her time contribution.

[@meetthegaffer]

I hear good things about more affordable tech for wireless monitoring, so I may need to go that route! Jan thanks you for your kind words:)

[@manmadewilderness]

@@meetthegaffer Hey Luke, I just remembered you can quite effectively use the wireless output on the GH5 to your iPad for a monitor. Latency is not great, but for static frames it works adequately. I've used the wireless on my GH4 a number of times for remote setups and it was a big help.

[@meetthegaffer]

Kent Wiley Yes, I do use that, but actually an app I like even better called Field Monitor, developed by Adam Wilt, but still it’s not quite critical lighting grade😬

[@manmadewilderness]

@@meetthegaffer Good to know. I've got some wireless gear (going out of date), but the simplicity of the wireless from the GH4 is often preferable. I'll check into Field Monitor.

[@retlwiz]

Am slowly getting into reflectors myself, so this was interesting. For directed sunlight through a window it works well and seems to be a big space saver. It’s worth noting that those parallel beam lenses for the Dedolights are pretty vital, but they don’t come cheap!

[@Ed.Mantle]

Plenty of other options out there, but the dedo optics are pretty much up there in terms of quality so well worth the price I think.

[@daylight5500]

Thanks for the journey, very informative. It definitely is a learning curve. What is clear to me from your video is that the placement of the reflectors to replicate nature when it comes to direction of source, is a factor to be taken into consideration seriously. At some point my eye picked up the shadow on the upstage side of window sill. The source was coming from below the window and the shadow of the cross bar duplicated that. The double shadow created the left to right inverted letter "K" on the window sill as well as on the background cupboard. Once I saw that I could not un see it. Yes, I am a member of the shadow police. "The Shadow knows".

[@meetthegaffer]

Indeed. I’m still a total newb🤪

[@daylight5500]

@@meetthegaffer to be continuously learning is a good thing. keeps the little grey cells vibrating and keeps dementia away. Enjoy the journey, the destination is not always that great.

[@meetthegaffer]

So many fun things going on right now... got love it! Keep policing those shadows; it may not register directly, but the subconscious will know something is not quite right🙃

[@JamesRudd]

Another cracking video - the Lightstream system does need a different mindset and good understanding of the lighting you wish to end up with before you place the first light and reflector - it does make for an uncluttered set but you are completely right on the grip - I always use a knuckle and the Dedolight arm which is a bit more elegant the solution they gave you.

[@meetthegaffer]

Would love to see BTS from your shoots. Do you incorporate reflectors into traditional lighting or do you use it exclusively on a given job?

[@JamesRudd]

@@meetthegaffer Actually works very well in cahoots with Kinoflo RGBW lights, but I have used them with M18 for light through second floor window - in tight spaces - often hang them off autopoles just below the ceiling - they are also efficient as extra punch from sources like laptop screens or phones onto faces - the small ones are very good for this sort of thing and of course for nibbling light out of the main beam to other reflectors

[@meetthegaffer]

Totally. Fundamentally a more sophisticated version of 1x1 mirrors or 1x1 mirrors with light diffusion. The parallel beam adapters are an interesting twist... just not sure how deep I’ll be able to pursue that without a long form project helmed by a DP that is fully vested in the approach.

[@JamesRudd]

@@meetthegaffer sent via email to you.

[@michaelmorales309]

Would love to see more videos on the lightstream system!

[@meetthegaffer]

I had the Lightstream set for a limited time, but now have been given a GO set of CRLS Lightbridge reflectors, so I’ll have more time to play and get up to speed. The same principles should apply. Stay tuned!

[@michaelmorales309]

@@meetthegaffer Awesome! Maybe you could report on any differences that exist between the two. A lighting designer friend of mine has been a bug in my ear about the Lightstream system, but I haven't had the chance to use it in person. Even though the daylight ambient was creating lots of variables in the test, this video was super helpful to see a real use case scenario. I work in NYC so the saved space is very appealing to me (both on set and in storage/transpo). Looking forward to future videos on this system!

[@michaelquack2126]

To work the parallel beam intensifiers to the max of their capabilities, the Dedo source must be set to flood position. That gives you the longest throw.

[@icandi9178]

Another great video! I've been looking at these reflector systems...My favorite part is how it mimics natural light because of the inverse square law. You're extending your distance away from the subject so the intensity falloff doesn't change much (to me that's a dead giveaway that its been lit artificially). That's exciting... But, as your video has shown, it is great for "spot" correction but it lacks in providing the base ambient. That's why you used the bounce on the far window. Do you think that system can be used to light an interior all on its own? Would love to see that. Thanks for the video and sharing your knowledge of LIGHT!

[@meetthegaffer]

I’m just a newb with these reflector systems, but looking forward to more adventures. I have a couple DPs interested, which I think is going to help future collaboration. I’m sure you can light entire interior scenes with reflectors.

[@stephanefiore4585]

Love your review ! I just discover the Lightstream system and also lightbridge system . Is it the same quality for both of them ? I'm planning to buy some kit but I also wondering why they are a so big difference of price ! Is it because one is better than they other ! Hope you can help me on that. Thank you

[@carlwarrenphoto]

i would love to test these lights , goals for my 3 to 5 year plans

[@meetthegaffer]

Coming up, I’ll be playing with the Lightbridge system too.

[@Photographicelements]

I like the glass block for light, but a light tube is a great way to add light in a kitchen- oh wait, we were talking about DadoLights.

[@ghastwriter]

Your videos are great sir and thank you for sharing them, but it would be really helpful if there was a video to go back to the basics. Like, where do we start if we have no idea about reflector systems, and in general about those kinds of equipment? Where do we start to get into the cinematography depths?

[@meetthegaffer]

On a basic level, the first step is to turn on one light and ask yourself what it’s doing and is it enough or too much? Based on your answer to that you build the look from there. That’s the core of lighting. The core of cinematography is the choice of frame... and then you build from there. As a child your parents give you a frame of reference, you either build on that or you reject it, but the frame they give you is where you start. If I was not working any more or if someone paid me to make serious teaching videos, I could get into it, but at the moment I either talk about the jobs I’m on or new gear that interests me because I’m learning something new. We’ll see what the future brings, but just keep building on a look one light ,or absence of light, at a time!

[@suburbanimages]

Hi Luke! First of all, thnx for the videos! Never commented before, but I've pretty much watched all of them, I am a DoP based in Athens, Greece. One question: have you evaluated the Light Bridge CRLS system against this? Or thought about making your own reflectors? Seems doable...

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Christos, Thank you for responding. I’ve done a couple episodes about reflector systems. Jacob and Matthews were kind enough to send me a GO set to work with. I got together with a DP to see if we could replicate our regular, traditional way of lighting a stage interview. Straight out of the box it was not as easy as we thought it would be. I now use them here and there to add accents to a scene rather than creating the main light, but I know I’m not using them to their full potential. Another local gaffer used them on a multi day job and loved what they could do. He’s agreed to talk about his experience, but lining up our schedules has so far proved difficult. Jacob shares his knowledge so generously that I wish I could reciprocate with my own experience… it just hasn’t happened yet! All the best out there and don’t hesitate to chime in again when you have the time🙂

[@alexander.starbuck]

Luke, awesome and informational video, as yours always are! :) One short Q: do you think it would be possible to use CRLS to "light the room"? Meaning, do you see it replacing an M90, a 12K, 18K when lighting a "space", something like 300-500 ft? Would it be possible to use an M18 or a similar light, large reflector like a 50cm or 1m and push through the window? Maybe even create a window from inside the space? Cheers!

[@meetthegaffer]

I have not used this system at that scale myself. I see lots of pictures of people using banks of reflectors up high and large lamps below to throw sun-like light that will provide a similar stop light (inverse square law) over a longer distance and cast a more natural shadow. In the scenarios I’ve seen, the lights are just as large as they would have been if used direct through cherry pickers/condors. How that translates to an M18 is something I’m interested in too. At the moment, my feeling is I will use the system in an additive way rather than as the primary sources, but that approach will take more time to feel comfortable with the system. Not sure that helps.

[@alexander.starbuck]

@@meetthegaffer I've seen Christian Berger do wonders with it 😍. It seems as if this could solve more than a few challenges for a very small crew or a one man band-ers.

[@StephenEastwood]

Interesting setup. :-)

[@meetthegaffer]

A little nutty. In hindsight I should have controlled the sun on the glass blocks (because that was confusing) and tented the second window from the beginning to have full control. I just had no idea that I would be working there for so long😜

[@StephenEastwood]

@@meetthegaffer the daylight added a lot, the dedo didnt seem to be that strong, understandable for a small light at a distance.

[@meetthegaffer]

Yes, if I’d known I was going to spend all day on it I would have been more diligent about tenting and keeping a consistent look. That said, the sun look is hard to beat!

[@Photographicelements]

How did you control the leko with your ipad? Did you lunchbox/DMX it? That would be a helpful video. Thanks!

[@meetthegaffer]

I attached a Cintenna receiver to the DMX in of the ETC LED DaylightHD ellipsoidal. The iPad, with the Blackout App talks to the light through an AKS transmitter.

[@josephfriedman5009]

Hello Luke. I am a NYC DP. My interest in these reflectors is peaking. I plan on renting a kit from a local vendor. I love your temperament "on set." I am in the same position as you, just beginning to acquaint myself with this style of lighting. I shoot many interviews on location and I am searching for better/more interesting ways to light backgrounds.

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Joseph, I was given a CRLS GO kit quite a while back now. I have incorporated a few reflectors into jobs here and there. Others have used the kit and gone on to buy their own. I have yet to sit down with those who have been more adventurous that myself to get them to talk about their experience… our schedules have not lined up. I have not had the opportunity to get in a regular flow with the system. To create interesting background break ups, they work great, but I feel like there’s so much more to discover and I’m just not taking the right steps to get there… more work on my part is needed.

[@Photographicelements]

OMG!! You have Veydra lenses!! Hang on to those, the prices will only go up!

[@meetthegaffer]

But now there are much less expensive versions of them available, so it’s good for everyone:)

[@frontfoot1035]

Great video as always! Unfortunately, Dedolight stole this entire design and system from TheLightBridge. So if anyone is interested in purchasing, I'd go straight to the source who created and designed them first.

[@ollemolander1370]

I thought so to at first, but it seems like the same product pretty much, might be some form of rebranding! but it's clearly the same product. found this: www.dedoweigertfilm.de/dwf-en/products/lightstream_content/lightstream_multiple_reflectors.php and here a video from 2016 they are using the same name "CRLS" and mentioning the inventor Christian Berger, but uploaded by a Dedo youtube page kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2rRcqqQna2Yd7M&feature=emb_title but yeah, a bit unclear.

[@frontfoot1035]

@@ollemolander1370 I reached out to The Light Bridge and they confirmed Dedo stole their product. So everyone should purchase from The Light Bridge.

[@ollemolander1370]

@@frontfoot1035 hmm yeah thats pretty messed up, they seemed to have worked together in the past, weird that they are releasing the exact same product a few years later haha might be like some a dispute going on about the legal rights to who invented / created it? or dedo just stole it

[@Ed.Mantle]

Is the slider rail the same size as the CRLS? I have to say I prefer the little arms on the Dedo version! I've been using Matthews Knuckleheads for ours which works fairly well and they're easy to get a hold of. I've seen people like Barry Cheong prefer more static arm options / gobo arm to gobo arm rather than something with this much rotation. Guess it depends on workflow. Really enjoying our CRLS stuff. Would like some larger sizes but could do with some actual work before I drop 5k on the 4x4 set!

[@Ed.Mantle]

PS - cried at "that's... a look"

[@wernervanpeppen4873]

No :(

[@meetthegaffer]

I have not had my hands on the CRLS system. I look forward to the opportunity down the road. It’s great to have new tools for creativity.

[@JamesRudd]

I use both CRLS (their 15x15 is a very useful size) and Dedolight Lightstream - the CRLS connector is a plastic, but very light - works well, but can only needs articulating arm to work, the rails are the same, well the CRLS have an easier wider access but the Dedo and CRLS fittings are interchangeable - the Dedo carrying bags are better - don't under estimate how much grip you need - you probably need to be able to rig 7 reflectors on some jobs

[@Ed.Mantle]

@@JamesRudd Yep, I ordered 4 c-wheels with my CRLS (7x/15x/25x sets). Quickly realised I needed about 8 more to get really intricate stuff : ) Good to know the rail interchanges with the Dedo fittings, and you're right the wide entry point on the CRLS mounts is a nice touch.

[@bozzy9887]

what happens when it starts raining on the reflectors or wind picks up and they start moving around

[@wernervanpeppen4873]

Not really n issue, the light reflected is soft(er) which already removes visible wobble and the bigger reflector sits on larger stands and canbe roped down. When you get to really big wind speeds you have to ask, why you're shooting that scene with that light there, now.....

[@dedolightcalifornia3763]

Also, Marki, if you want to tighten down a reflector (I would say this is more useful for a 50cm reflector in higher wind situations), you can use two DLR-LOCK mounts on the back slider, then slide a 5/8 rod through both and use that as a mounting point. That reflector will be tight as a drum.

[@jlmd8218]

what are you using to control all these units via your ipad?

[@meetthegaffer]

The software is called Blackout Lighting Console (Apple App Store). I use it with an iPad Pro via an AKS transmitter and Cintenna receivers from Innovative Dimmers/RatPac Dimmers. It works with DMX-able units.

[@riparianstudios]

16:23 You have a fridge... JUST FOR PIES?!

[@meetthegaffer]

Well, it’s a small dorm room type fridge. It will hold two pies... but “Pie Fridge” sounds good😬

[@adamfrench2337]

Came for the lighting reflectors. Stayed for the pie recipe.

[@meetthegaffer]

😂

[@dedolightcalifornia3763]

I thought I saw lemon rind added there and made note.

[@joelarvidsson]

I'm curious if you could use the system outside using the sun. Never seen it used with the sun as a source.

[@meetthegaffer]

Yes, you could. The main difference, like with shiny boards, you would need to continually tweak them, because rotating earth.

[@joelarvidsson]

Would love to se them in action in a forest scene. Im sure they could be put to good use there.

[@meetthegaffer]

Sure, you just don’t have the same control for very long. As the sun moves you can shift the reflector, but eventually you’ll be getting a different slice of light and your reflection will change. So if you’re set ups keep changing and you can actually get sunlight down into your forrest it could be cool... otherwise: lights!

[@GrandmasterGracie]

Did you see any difference between Dedo's lightstream and the lightbridge reflectors?

[@meetthegaffer]

I just had a CRLS starter kit dropped at my front door, so I’m about to find out how they compare...

[@GrandmasterGracie]

@@meetthegaffer awesome! It would be great to see a video or blog post of your experience, hope one is in the works

[@meetthegaffer]

You know it! I’ve been unable to get any episode uploaded for the last couple weeks, but There should be a bunch coming out pretty soon here.

[@hiskishow]

Now I can light and make pie 😄

[@meetthegaffer]

😂🥧🤛🏻

[@krizzlec]

What’s the exact size of the small ones? Can’t seem to find anything that size on the website?

[@meetthegaffer]

No idea… that was a few years ago and I only had them on loan, so they were returned. Do you have a local area Dedo reseller?

[@krizzlec]

@@meetthegaffer thanks for the quick response! I identified the smaller ones, 7x10 cm. Now I’m trying to figure out a different mounting bracket Their proprietary mounts are $89 each lol..

[@meetthegaffer]

@@krizzlec Yup, movie stuff often sells for a premium cuz it’s just not large of a user base😐

[@krizzlec]

@@meetthegaffer totally! It just sucks when the reflectors are 40$ and the mount are 89. Lol. I might bite the bullet and just get their inclusive kit. Thanks again gor sharing your wealth of knowledge on your channel!

[@meetthegaffer]

Happy reflecting!

[@dahahun]

Is that an Aputure Accent light az 1:58? :)

[@meetthegaffer]

Probably. I’ve had one for a while. But MTG #215 will tell you more:)

[@cockerjc]

It seems like if you are a person who likes Haze, then your secret beams crisscrossing the set would be revealed. Please tell me this is an understood phenomenon as people consider this system.

[@meetthegaffer]

I don’t have experience with using them with haze, but your assumption seems like it would be correct. Like any tool they are not necessarily perfect for every situation… just like haze🙂

[@jonathanabelmann8036]

16:12 it hasn´t been the morning sun wich appeared cooler but the blue sky who got iluminated by the sun.

[@meetthegaffer]

I believe you are correct!

[@josephfriedman5009]

Luke, thanks for the response. BTW, I love making pies, like you. My specialty is apple and pumpkin pies. I watched a KZbin video recently which is essentially an interview with a British DP, Ian Murray, who discusses and shows examples of his transition from standard lighting practices with traditional lighting units and flags etc to Lightbridge. Here is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHqsin-hrsarl8k It's long-ish but very interesting. At one point he mentioned that he always felt alone as a DP, since few DP's wanted to share what they knew feeling that they were giving away state secrets. That has been my experience, with few exceptions.

[@meetthegaffer]

Thank you! I look forward to watching the video with Ian Murray. For all the negatives of Social Media, the skills sharing aspect is very helpful to lonely crafts like ours that have kept so many skills behind closed doors for so long. There are more and more generous sharing DP’s.

[@meetthegaffer]

It was informative, but you don’t really get a before and after of a particular set-up showing the difference between traditional lighting and reflective lighting. The reflectors seem to work well for more dramatic set-ups. I do a lot of corporate, where the light on the people tends to be big and soft. So the main area that is left where you can create interest is the background. Reflectors can definitely come into play there. I can see where they would be good for tabletop work as well, I just don’t do a ton of that. I’ll get there, but it’s a slow ramp up when the DP’s I work with are not clamoring for it. I’ll be interested to hear about your progression.

[@marksasahara1115]

I'll bet Luke's pies are really light.

[@meetthegaffer]

LOL. I do go lighter on the sugar tho😉

[@josephfriedman5009]

Here's my take. Much of what Ian Wilson showed about the system, and his move to incorporate it into his whole lighting approach, has to do with the convenience of using reflectors in a way that uncluttered the "set." He was able to get a lighting arrangement set up in spaces where conventional lighting units plus flags/C stands, etc., would not easily fit. And it saved time. Also he demonstrated using large reflectors where you need to pump in light thru third floor windows with the lighting unit on the ground floor. One other advantage of reflectors, as he demonstrated, is that they do not just spill light all over an area but tend to create discrete areas where directed. One of his goals was recreating the effects of sunlight. And this is what Wilson touted about Lightbridge. So for me, as someone who has a minivan and a limited lighting/grip package, what I want out of this reflector package is a way to work in confined spaces (usually people's apartments for interviews) and to work on backgrounds in a way that allows me to create specific areas of light w/o setting up two lights to do that. For a one camera setup, I have perhaps an hour, maybe a bit longer, to get everything in place. Toward this end, I own, among other units, one Dedo light and one Source Four. I think this is the basis of a good start. Both those units are able to project patterned light, but both have a limited spread. If I can get one light to work a background using several or three mirrors so that I can accent specific areas of the BG, I will be pleased. We'll see...

[@meetthegaffer]

Agreed. Good goals. I’m so used to directing clean or gobo’d units towards a background that adding another stand with one or more reflectors seems like adding rather than taking away, so I have to do it more to feel the difference. The other side of this is how sensitive the camera is. We’re not always working with a Venice. Often we’re at a much lower ISO because of ND or teleprompters or some Blackmagic cam. It’s all over the map. If I worked on long form projects and could get into a groove, that would help too.