Maximizing Versatility with the Dual Spectrum Kit

The Photoflex Dual Spectrum Kit is a continuous source light, which includes all of the following items.

• Starlite QL light head with Starlite Swivel
• Starlite Connector
• 1-CoolStar 150w Compact Fluorescent Lamp (5600K)
• Reinforced CruzTube for CFL transport
• Bi-Pin Socket Adapter
• 1-1000w bulb (3100K) for Bi-Pin Adapter
• Medium SilverDome soft box
• LiteStand 2214 (8' 2")
• Transpac Single Kit Case

Installing the CoolStar Lamp
The most notable features of this particular kit are the CoolStar 150-watt fluorescent lamp and the Bi-Pin Lamp adapter with a 1000-watt bi-pin lamp. As we will demonstrate in this lighting tutorial, having this variety of lamp choices to fit a single light fixture can go a long way towards increasing versatility both in the studio and on location.

The CoolStar florescent lamp is a high output, 150-watt, daylight balanced light source. It's one of the most powerful fluorescent lamps on the market and is designed to be portable, easy to use, and color balanced at 5600K. Best of all, this lamp will screw into any Starlite fixture (QL and 3200), making it easy to switch from a tungsten light source to a fluorescent light source in no time at all (figure 1).

After installing the CoolStar Lamp, just reattach the internal baffle and Velcro-edged face (figures 2 & 3).

Mixing Ambient and Artificial Light
With our daylight-balanced continuous light ready to go, we decided to photograph a basic portrait to show how the CoolStar can be used in conjunction with available daylight. To do this, we set up a muslin backdrop inside a small office space that had several large windows. Due to space limitations, it would have been impossible to use more than a couple of compact lights. So instead of filling this small room with a ton of lighting equipment, we decided to use the Dual Spectrum Kit as the main light and the large windows for a fill/rim light.

We positioned our backdrop at a slight angle to the window so that when the model was seated and in position, the window would act as a rim light in relation to the model (figures 4 & 5).

As you can see in the first example shown above (figure 5), the window provided a nice, soft rim light on the right side of the model's face. In terms of white balance, our camera was set to 5600K, which gave use a neutral image using only the natural daylight coming in through the window.

Next, we positioned the Dual Spectrum Kit fitted with the 150-watt CoolStar lamp to the left of the model, approximately four feet away (figure 6). This would serve as our main light.

In this result (figure 7), we can see that the 150-watt CoolStar provided just the right level of output to balance nicely with the ambient light. Moreover, the 5600K color temperature of the CoolStar ensured that there would be no visible color difference between the window light and the artificial light.

Figure 7

After reviewing the previous shot on the back of the camera, we noticed that the main light was causing a slightly harsh shadow on the right side of the nose. To remedy this, we decided to take advantage of the other window and use it as a fill light by opening the blinds a bit (figure 8).

The image shown below (figure 9) is the final result using the Dual Spectrum Kit as the main light, one window as the rim light, and another window as a fill light.

This simple portrait is a fine example of how the Dual Spectrum Kit can increase versatility and eliminate the need for large, expensive lighting set-ups. Practically speaking, this image would have been much more difficult to achieve without the CoolStar lamp.

For example, a tungsten lamp would have been the wrong color temperature, which would require the use of a giant color correction gel placed over the window. Using a strobe would have solved the color temperature issue, but a high-wattage studio strobe would have been too powerful, resulting in overpowering the ambient light coming in through the window.

Another advantage of the CoolStar is that, just as its name suggests, it does not heat up like a traditional continuous light. This makes for a much more pleasant (heat free) environment, something your model will definitely appreciate.

Using the Bi-Pin Lamp Adapter
Location work aside, the Dual Spectrum kit is just as versatile in the studio. With the Photoflex Pi-Pin Lamp adapter, you can use a standard 1000-watt Bi-Pin lamp to get the same high output tungsten light that you would with a regular Starlite lamp. The advantage of using a Bi-Pin lamp is that these lamps are an industry standard and can be purchased from many lighting suppliers worldwide, not just Photoflex dealers.

As illustrated below, installing the Bi-Pin Lamp into the adapter and then into the Dual Spectrum Kit is a simple and easy process (figures 10 & 11).

A Basic Studio Portrait using the Bi-Pin Lamp
With our 1000-watt Bi-Pin lamp installed and ready to go, we decided to take the Dual Spectrum Kit for a quick test drive in the studio.

To take this basic portrait, we positioned the light to the left and slightly above the model's face (figure 11).

The soft light created by the Medium SilverDome was exactly what we wanted (figure 13). The Medium SilverDome, positioned close to the model creates a very flattering quality of light that is truly ideal for this type of portraiture.

Figure 13

To further improve this image, we decided to place a 42-inch white LiteDisc to the right of the model in order to bounce some light into the shadow areas (figure 14).

The final result is shown below (figure 15).

From this example you can see how just one light (The Photoflex Dual Spectrum Kit), and a simple white reflector can be used to create a professional quality portrait. Whether you need to shoot on location or in the studio, with daylight-balanced light or with tungsten light, the Dual Spectrum Kit will make you more versatile, save you valuable setup time, and best of all save you some money that you can invest in your backdrops and reflectors.

Happy shooting!