Softbox Light Kit - 2 or 3 Point Lighting?

[Douglas MacKrell]

Hey everyone!

So the majority of my work currently is fixed camera "in studio" work, where it's just me talking to a camera Vlog-style. I've been using a CFL light strip I MacGyver-ed together to light my shot. It does a great job, and the whole thing cost me about 15 bucks (not counting the box of CFL bulbs I plug into the thing).

My problem with it is that it throws a lot of harsh light. It can fill a room, but it's kind of aggressive for what it is. Plus it casts an obnoxious light reflection in my glasses.

Look at that glare. That's obnoxious.

So I'm thinking of investing in a soft box light kit.

Something along these lines from a seller on Ebay

My question is, what do you folk use for lighting? I'm not using a greenscreen, so highfalutin 3 point lighting isn't as necessary - but does anyone get along with 2 point lighting?

I ask, because I've been using 1 point lighting for so long, and these kits start to get pricey the more lights you add to them.

And finally, does anyone have any experience using these kinds of softboxes? Are they simple to set up/break down?

Thanks for your assistance, YTtalkers!

 

[TheBatteryChicken]

I use 2 point lighting for my videos indoors and also when I do live streams etc, i like them a lot, dont have the need for a third just yet though

 

[skenkee]

Try to use one lamp and focus it to a wall or ceiling.
As the second point (source of lighting) Use a reflection screen. This might do the trick already. No need for more than 1 light. Just need one that is a bit more powerfull and this will get rid of the reflection most likely as well.
Otherwise try to reposition the lights so that they do not reflect directly in your glasses,

 

[IftiBashir]

I use a small pen torch. This is it:

lol, on a more serious note, I use these:

PhotoSel Softboxes:

Comes in a set of 2, and I find its more then enough for most uses.

 

[Michael]

I use two softboxes, I would like a third but its not 100% needed, I remember when I did have a third one the light on my head from above looked good and it would create good separation from the background. They're easy to put away and get out but I keep mine out all the time, the only thing I don't like is the wires, I always worry about tripping over the wires and smashing one of the bulbs as they're quite expensive.

 

[Tech.exe]

My "studio" has a 3-point setup for recording product reviews/cinematic shots. As I restarted on a new channel, I unfortunately cannot show you any examples at the moment. I use a 2-point "FancierStudio" softbox (1,000W each) along with a 1,000W softbox on a boom for overhead. I love these things so much. It all really depends on what you're doing. The reason I use a boom-style is because I need a direct overhead light source. For what you're planning on doing, I'd recommend either getting a 2-point softbox kit, or maybe even doing the simple and "cost effective way" of:

Cut out white fabric
Create 4 metal arms (out of a wire hanger or something..)
Drill 4 holes on your strip
Buy wide washers w/ matching screws (it'll take some coordination with all your stuff to get this done, so measure up )
Attach them in each corresponding corner of your CFL Light Strip
Attach your white fabric

Hopefully that'll create a sustainable and cost-effective light source that doesn't overpower your room.

Hope this helped!!
- Zach