Learn Light and Sound

In this episode we take a look at Amaran’s new Spotlight SE! This smaller version of the original Spotlight mount works with a variety of Aputure and Amaran lights up to 300 watts, is available with two different lens options, and comes with almost every gobo you could possibly need. In this episode we cover the Spotlight SE’s key features and demonstrate several ways in which you might use it most effectively. Let’s take a closer look!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. for more info!

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Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, Amazon, B&H

- Aputure Spotlight Mount (original, larger, heavier, more expensive) — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 150c RGBWW Bowens mount light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Bowens mount light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 100d/S daylight Bowens mount light (daylight only lights put out more light, but cannot change color temperature) — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 100x/S bi-color Bowens mount light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 200d/S daylight Bowens mount light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 200x/S bi-color Bowens mount light (This is the light I use as my key light for talking head video 90% of the time. Incredible color quality and I only have to set the dimmer between 10 and 20% for most talking head shots) — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH 8050 Supercardioid Condenser Microphone — B&H, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 Field Recorder/Mixer — B&H, Sweetwater

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 200x S LED light — B&H, Amazon, Aputure

- Aputure Light Dome II soft box — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Aputure’s COB series of LED lights for video production have been the core of my lighting kit for over 3 years now. The reason I like these lights so much is that you can do so many different things with them. They work great as a flood light, with the Light Dome II they’re create a beautiful key light for interviews or talking head shots. There’s the new Lantern which allows you to light an entire room in a natural sort of way and control where light spills with its included skirt. There are also the hard light modifiers like the Fresnel 2X which allows you to focus a circle of light into an intense beam and there are the barn doors allowing you to cut the light with hard edges. Today, Aputure released the new Spotlight Mount which is a spotlight with 3 different lenses allowing super intense beams of spotlights, a gobo holder which allows you to cast patterns or logos on your subject or on a surface behind them. And it also has a gel holder allowing you to add gels to stylize the light with cool effects.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F8 and, F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Gear used and mentioned in this episode:

Aputure Spotlight Mount - B&H

Aputure Spotlight Mount 19 degree lens - B&H

Aputure Spotlight Mount 26 degree lens - B&H

Aputure Spotlight Mount 36 degree lens - B&H

Aputure Spotlight Iris - B&H

Aputure Light Dome II - B&H

Aputure Lantern - B&H

Aputure Barn Doors - B&H

Aputure Fresnel 2X - B&H

Aputure COB120DII LED light - Amazon

Aputure COB300DII LED light - B&H