Hey everyone! I'm an aspiring interior and architecture photographer specializing in safari camps across Africa. I'm looking to invest in my first proper light (budget around €500 / $600, including a stand and accessories), aside from the basic flash I use for portraits. The challenge with safari camps is that they are mostly luxury tents with beige and brown walls and ceilings. Having worked as a wildlife photographer, I’ve noticed that the sunlight in Africa is much warmer and less white, so I need a travel-friendly super bright ( camps can be big) continuous light with adjustable color temperature. Since I also shoot video for social media for these camps, a flash won’t work. Any recommendations from experienced architecture photographers?
Interesting challenge Boas!
As always there is a direct ratio between cost and performance. Although many people equate value with price the fact is those two variables are not linked.
There is an old saying... A poor man can afford nothing but the best.
So, as it seems you are still exploring and learning I would not go in to it too deeply to start with.
In my experience almost anything Gordox is a false economy. Cheap to get into but not durable, repairable, and not very consistent as far as quality of light goes. So as tempting as it might be I would stay way clear.
There is a COB light that is well made, reasonably priced, surprisingly durable, and decent output for the price that I have been using for a couple of years now with out any issues.
The Smallrig RC220B. are bi-colour COB lights that are not supper rugged but have stood up to a surprising amount of abuse in my day to day work.
They are well made and although a bit plasticy yet they have held up very well,
There are other COB light by Smallrig and from what I've heard all work very well and are way more reliable than any thing Gordox.
I would also look and Apurture lighting as the seem to be the industry leader and have a tone of options and price points.
Good luck and please let us know what you end up using.
PS -I am a commercial RE and ID photographer working in SE Asia based out of Yangon Myanmar so my experience is based on the need for rugged dependability and constancy. Most of my production lighting, flash and constant, is Profoto but I am always trying new tech. Good luck!
In addition to the details Julian shared be sure to look for a variable dial on the Bi-color LED so you can match the output to the sunset or warm interior. You don't just want a light with a "Cool and Warm" switch but a continuous dial from about 2800°K to 6,000°K or so.
The one spec that is almost as important as the other details is having a high CRI — at least 95. If you don't want to be pulling out your hair in post production trying to get rid of color casts then you want your light to be pure. High CRI keeps things looking natural.
Excellent point Daniel.
And one I did not go into too deeply but very important.
Both Aputure and Smalrig have apps that let you customize the temp as well as other features like colour matching, special effects, etc. All easy to use and help speed up things especially when the light is in places like some hard to reach spot.
And yes, the higher the CRI (Colour Rendering Index) the better. As Daniel mentioned 95 is good and maybe the baseline for your comparisons.
Good luck and let us know how your quest is going.