David_Tames's blog

Still out there hitting the stores? If you haven't known exactly what to ask for this holiday season, if you haven't yet managed to find the perfect gift for the independent filmmaker in your life—or if you're taking this opportunity to shop a little bit for yourself, too—The Independent's David Tamés offers some great ideas for gifts ranging from stocking stuffers starting at $23 to big presents priced as high as $2,600. (Photo source).

"I find the Fresnels the most versatile members of my lighting kit because I can throw different amounts of diffusion on a Fresnel to adjust the quality of the beam, but with an open faced light you're stuck with their harsh, dirty quality without diffusion," writes blogger David Tamés. "Because they offer more control and a narrower beam, Fresnels are especially good for accenting specific objects in the background and for use as a back light." To read more, visit our blogs page.

Natural light is most often the best choice for lighting, especially when doing documentary, but sometimes you need some help. If you like to travel light, here's a suggestion for a minimalist $250 one light starter kit.