Live Portrait Shoot With The Westcott Spiderlite TD5’s
May. 16
5:49 am
I’ve been getting so many questions, and requests for more information on the Westcott Spiderlite TD5 lighting Kit that I used on my Lightroom Live! Tour, that we put together a short demo video (below) to show them in action, and tell you the story of how I wound up using the TD5’s, and how my “Scott Kelby Studio Kit” works during a live portrait shoot.
The video is there for me right now anyway! Great video Scott, the really look cool, if only one had more money to spend on such
Always cool stuff. If I could afford nice lights I’d get them. Where is the link to DIY lighting? I looked but must have skipped over it.
Thanks!
Rob, videos like this are fantastic for guys like me who have about zero training in studio lighting as far as the big-boy equipment is concerned. We’re starting to get more and more requests to do product shots and corporate headshots, and the “strobist” kit isn’t getting the job done all the time (though it’s great for most thing). I think these TD5’s are the perfect idiot-proof solution for guys like me who have a hard time pre-visualizing big-time strobes.
Hey Scott…
I can’t view any of the videos on here. Do I need to install anything? I am very interested to see this video since I recently picked up 2 TD5’s and 1 TD3
Rick.
Hey Scott,
I’ve seen a number of your videos with these lights. Do you have a suggestion as to which bulbs to use in these monsters?
Thanks,
Joel
The Spiderlites offer some interesting advantages over strobes, particularly they are always-on full-strength modeling lights.
Strobes appear to offer many advantages as well, such as lower power requirements and heat output, the ability to run from battery packs, many stops of power selection, and having power unaffected by shutter speed (within sync limits).
I’m going to guess that Spiderlites are less convenient for location work because they require A/C power.
Some questions for Spiderlite users: first how durable are they for transporting around? Do you find the 2 1/3 stops of power selection (on the TD5) sufficient? And finally, how much heat do they put out? I know they are fluorescent, but still, all 750 watts can’t go into pure light!
Perhaps, for those of us that can’t afford them right at the moment, we could set up a trust fund…. The “[insert your name here] Wescott Spiderlite TD5 Studio Kit Fund”… Hmmm… has a certain ring to it!
To Joel:
You definitely want to use the brightest Fluorescent bulbs they offer—just make sure they’re fluorescent.
To Kurt:
The TD5’s don’t put out any heat at all (as far as I can tell anyway—-I’ve never felt any heat output from them once—just like you don’t feel heat from fluorescent lights in offices).
I use them on location all the time—just remember to take an extension cord. The TD5s are surprisingly durable; you just have to take care when packing up the bulbs.
Hope that helps.
-Scott
Scott, if you can tell us, when do you think Dan Margulis’s 3rd part to his Picture Postcard technique will be posted to the training?
I am justa waitin’ fer it.
Pat in Houston
Thanks for the Video. These lights are really good. I shot some killer pics of some flowers in my studio. Everyone was amazed. I can’t thank-you enough for putting me on to the TD5’s.
Scott, thanks for the answers — I should have consulted Digital Photography Volume 2 where you answered some of my questions!
I have one more question that probably can’t be answered easily in a blog comment, but I hope you’ll address it when time permits. When do you prefer the Spiderlites and when do you prefer those tasty-looking Elinchrom strobes you have?
Like Pat, I’m looking forward to part 3 of the picture postcard workflow from Dan M. I’ve been improvising part 3 from his LAB frontier video …
Thanks for the video Scott! I’m with Westcott folks so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I just wanted to mention which lamps are best to use with the kits as we get a ton of questions on this.
http://www.fjwestcott.com/details.cfm?id=2&tbl=td5
Also, sign up for a newsletter at http://www.fjwestcott.com as we have contests from time to time giving out some of the these kits.
Good luck everyone!!!
Scott,
Your video is offline right now. I think you’re so popular
and so many people tried to view your video through YouTube, it raised a red flag. YouTube probably took at your video and took it offline. That’s what happend to one of my videos.
Thanks for the great info again Scott.
Terry,
I’m saving my pennies for a pair of these to use in pet portraits with homeless dogs awaiting adoption. Sometimes a flash really scares them.
As for on-location power, what about an inverter and a deep cycle battery?
Also, I wonder how adding an in-line dimer switch would go. . .
Great stuff!
Hi Scott, I’m a big fan of your. I been watching Photoshop TV, reading your blog for over two month straight now. I finally decided to give you a little feedback. This video got some great info. I have built my seft three DIY spiderlite, and they are great. I brought the 45Watt bulb off ebay.
BTW, I finally had the change to read the book named “The Digital Photography Book,” Volume 1 & 2. They are great, I was at the book store today and I saw it there. I picked up and start reading. Before I know it, I was reading every single page and couldn’t let go of it until I finished them off. There are alot of tips that I never thought of are very useful. Some of them I already new but rarely use because when I really focus on the shoot, I don’t pay much attention to the technique. It one of the best book I ever seen for digital photographer. It also remind me of many technique that has been forgotten.
One more then, I would like to know if you ever gonna come visit Atlanta, Georgia. I don’t see it on NAPP website, so i’m just wondering.
Are these lights good for weddings? If not, what is the light of chose for weddings.
Thanks
Scott… Great Video. I like the way that you make it look simple
Great Job!
Paulo - http://www.paulopics.com
Thanks for the great illustration, Scott, I think the resurgence of constant lighting is a wonderful thing. Monte Zucker’s help in development has made these Westcott lights a very attractive setup. Studio lighting is becoming more and more accessible for everyone!
Hi,
great video. But… just wondering… why do you use Justin Seeley’s “Photoshop Quicktips” music on this video??
Hi Scott . . .
I am very interested in the Spiderlite. I just purchase a new lighting studio with Profoto equipment. Can I use the profoto softboxes with the Spiderlite? Also, can I purchase florescent lights from the local hardware store?
Time are great, but also tough $$$$$
thanks.
–s
I have two of these—awesome lights, well worth the money. Get the plastic covers for the light assembly, I think they’re like $30 from B&H. They can be used as strobes too, that kit is an additional $200 I think.
Hi Scott. I just left the comment about our PHOTOWALK in Fort Lauderdale, FL on June 21st or 22nd on your other post.
Here is more information about our Fort Lauderdale Photowalk. http://paulopics.com/blog/2008/05/19/photowalk-in-fort-lauderdale-florida/
Would you help me speadind the word out?
PS Would be an Honor for me if for any chance you would be able to show up.
I know that your schedule is crazy… But this is South Florida
Thanks
Paulo Jordao
Scott,
I think it would be quite helpful if you could provide exposure specs for the shot you took in the demo movie, i.e., ISO/shutter speed/aperture. It’s little tough to figure how photographically bright these florescent bulbs are. I’ve looked through the literature and there do not seem to be indications. Many thanks for the demo.
BR
Interesting piece Scott I’ve been thinking of trying some continous lights for car interiors, may indeed allow me to work quicker which can be no bad thing. My only worry is the heads and BD’s getting really hot and thus becoming some what imobile until they have cooled down?
How do you think the ones you tried would satndup to a little damp weather?
Interested to here your comments, I have managed to find some in the UK that can be purchased so seriously thinking about it, assume daylight balance would be the best bet if I wanted to mix it up with natural light and the Ranger gear in one go?
Cheers Scott, hope your well mate and the interior car shoot went okay.
Tim
This is off topic but I am at wits end with Scott Kelby photoshopuser.com site. I am a NAPP member and use IE6 with XP Pro. For awhile, photoshopuser site worked just fine then I couldnt login. His support staff reset and reset but finally admitted that the site had a problem with IE 6. Suddenly it worked again. Now, this week, it doesnt again and his support staff reset my username and password yet again.
I keep telling them it is an authentication problem but they wont listen. They keep resetting my login WHICH ALSO WONT WORK.
Anyone else having problems with this site? I figure this is part of my membership and since I cant use it, I might as well not renew.
-mike
“We’re sorry, this video no longer available.”
Great video and help - thanks for posting it. Always good to hear it straight from the pros.
Great video Scott,
Thanks for the information on the lights, I fully understand how constant lights would be like cheating, the amount of time I waste on a shoot trying to get the highlights and shadows right with strobes is unbelievable. The Spiderlite’s are your favorite lights and my dream lights!
Scott,
Greet video. Those look like a great solution for cold continuous light. Thanks for sharing this.
Great video, I need to try a spiderlight like this, I’m just not sure if it’s enough power to sustain good shutter speeds.
On the setup you use on the video, what was the shutter speed, aperture and ISO?
In order to get 1/200s with a setup like this, what aperture and ISO you would need?
Scott, I purchased the TD5 to use for outdoor portraits. I purchased it at B&H with the only florescent bulbs they sell for the TD5, which are 27 watt bulbs. When I powered my TD5 which had a softbox on it, I couldn’t tell if they were turned on by looking at the softbox. I had to remove the internal baffle and the outside diffuser on the softbox to get any light on to my subjects. The light was that dim. Can you tell me if I can buy more powerful florescent bulbs for this, because the 27 watt bulbs simply aren’t strong enough for outdoor portrait work.
I found the TD5 to be too weak of a light & it wasn’t exactly daylight, rather had quite a green cast. I switched to the Photoflex Constellation & boy what an improvement. Much more power & control along with exceptionally soft light. I was much closer to accurate daylight balance also. I also found their reflectors to of much superior quality. The Photoflex reflectors stay flat for an even reflection, which is a must in my work.
Think I’m going to be asking Santa for some of this kit!
Thanks for posting