Soften Your Video Light: Karamy Adapter and Umbrella

For interview or talking head video shots, I like to soften my Aputure Light Storm LED Panels (LS1s) to ensure that the light looks as flattering as possible. But one of the problems is that to do that, I’ve been setting up an additional light stand in front of the light and mounting a shoot-through scrim. This works beautifully in terms of softening the light but it is a bulky setup.

Karamy contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing any of their products. I saw that they had an umbrella adapter which would potentially solve this problem for me: Now I can mount an umbrella in front of my LED panels without the need for an additional stand!

In addition, softening light with a large 46” umbrella looks much nicer in most cases than just clipping some diffusion paper on the barn doors of your light. The effect is much softer and more flattering in most cases with the umbrella.

Full disclosure: Karamy gave me this adapter and umbrella free of charge. They did not pay me further to do this review and did not specify what I was able to say or not say.

If you’d like to improve your sound recording skills for film, please have a look at our Sound Recording for Video course over at http://school.learnlightandsound.com

Visit us at http://learnlightandsound.com for more updates on how to improve your lighting and sound for video. Also be sure to subscribe to get new weekly episodes!

Gear mentioned in or used to record this episode:

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Karamy 46” Umbrella (KUB-T46)

Amazon: https://geni.us/9ESzGNS

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Karamy 41” Umbrella (KUB-T41)

Amazon: https://geni.us/eY38rJP

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Karamy Umbrella Adapter (KFB-L4)

Amazon: https://geni.us/oWVFLP8

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Also shot with Aputure Light Storm LS1s LED Light, Nikon D750, Audio Technica AT4053b Microphone, Sound Devices 633 Mixer/Recorder, Rycote Cyclone Windshield

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Aputure Light Storm LS1s LED Light

Amazon: https://geni.us/eFjqp

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1172653-REG/aputure_ls1sv_light_storm_ls_1s.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/APLS1SV/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xAPLS1SV

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Nikon D750

Amazon: https://geni.us/eE7L

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Audio Technica AT4053b Hyper-cardioid Microphone

Amazon: https://geni.us/EDaV

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/642499-REG/Audio_Technica_AT4053B_AT4053b_Hypercardioid_Condenser_Microphone.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/AUAT4053B/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xAUAT4053B

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Sound Devices 633 Mixer/Recorder

DVeStore: http://www.dvestore.com/guy-says-gear-reviews/audio/audio-recorders-mixers/sound-devices-633-six-input-compact-mixer-with-10-track-recorder/#aid=6242

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Rycote Cyclone Windshield (medium)

B&H Photo/Video: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1245728-REG/rycote_89102_cyclone_windshield_kit_medium.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/RYCWJKS/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xRYCWJKS

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Copyright 2016 by Curtis Judd

Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.