Tag: photo

Rentals

Posted on by Big City

 

Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
Please call to check availability – 416 894 4025

located at:

2370 Midland Ave – UNIT B9
Toronto, ON, M1S 5C6

Pricing is based on self pick up and return to our location.
Prices DO NOT include taxes, set up, delivery or return pick up.
If you require any of these services, please Contact Us for a quote.

All rentals are based on a 24 hour period or portion thereof,  ask us about our weekend rates!

 

Big City Lights is a lighting company that offers services for the film industry, photographers, events, stage shows and parties. We do both sales and rentals. We offer self serve pick up from our location, or we can deliver and/or offer set up in and around the GTA including Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Richmond Hill, Markham, Thornhill, Vaughn, East York, Ajax, Pickering, Brampton, Oakville, Oshawa, Mississauga and more! Contact us for a quote.

We have been in the lighting business for over 15  years, and we offer great customer service in Toronto and the GTA.  Big City Lights works with event planners, filmmakers, photographers, video production companies, DJs, churches, synagogues and other places of worship to create the perfect lighting for your special event, concert, film shoot, photography shoot, party or stage show.  We  currently serve the areas of Scarborough, Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, North York, Etobicoke, Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughn, Thornhill,  East York, Pickering, Ajax, Oshawa and Oakville and more!  Contact us today for your wedding lighting, event lights or party lighting!

 

 

affordable rental of lighting and AV equipment in Toronto Canada. We have a large selection of rental lights rental film lighting LED lighting and audio visual equipment. Based in Toronto Canada and we sell to all of Canada and the USA. Video equipment and lights for all events and parties stage shows and concerts we even rent ring lights!

RGB Sexi Flexi flex panel Canada light lighting film

RGB Sexi-Flexi

Posted on by Jane Good

Introducing the RGB Sexi-Flexi flex light! A new product with a wide range of special effects and capabilities.

The video below highlights the important and useful aspects of a flex panel. It focuses on the durability and pliability of a flex panel, as well as how efficient they are in any environment.

The new RGB flex light model Big City Lights is offering has great energy efficiency with a colour temperature ranging from 2700K to 9999K. As well as a hard carrying case with the essential equipment, such as: a power adapter, cross frame holder, diffusion silk, control box, and a 90˚ light stand.

There are also many special effects with this model beyond the original Bi-Colour, including but not limited to:

  • Lighting mode
  • Police car mode
  • Emergency mode
  • TV mode
  • Strobe lights (green, red, white, blue)
  • Nightclub mode

And much more.

Check out the video for more details regarding the RGB Sexi-Flexi.

Battery Operated Lighting Options

Posted on by George Mikhaiel

Calling all filmmakers, photographers, hairstylists and party starters! Have you ever needed a wireless light to brighten a subject? To light a party? Well we have the products for you. This video showcases various options for battery operated lights to suit any of your needs. These lights are perfect for when you don’t have an outlet near by, or for on the go shootings. All the links for the battery operated lights we carry are available below.

Links:

Continue reading “Battery Operated Lighting Options” →

light lights lighting cob led bi-color bowens bowen mount battery bright controller color colour 80w 120w

Comparison of the 80w & 120w LED Bi-Colour COB Lights

Posted on by Tristan

120w COB LED LIGHT PHOTO VIDEO BOWENS

Achieving the right brightness and temperature has never been more easy and affordable! Benefits of having this light are the customization and control for the perfect lighting. A film can feel off putting without the use of one of these lights due the wrong modifier or color temperature.

What an COB light is:

 Both lights use a COB light which stands for Chip On Board, which is a single LED aside from using many smaller LEDs. This significantly reduces energy consumption while also having high brightness and color accuracy.

An intuitive, compact and fashionable design: 

 Weighing in at just under one kilogram, these lights are very lightweight due to their compact design making it ideal for in-studio or on location. Both lights come with their very own carrying bag making it easy for travel.

10 – 100% brightness:

 These lights achieve the exact brightness with pinpoint accuracy. There is a wheel to the side of the light that can be adjusted from 10% to 100% or anywhere in between with the turn of a dial to give you the exact brightness that you need.

Color temperature: 3000K-6500K +/- 200K:

 These lights not only have an accurate brightness, but also very accurate color temperature control. The wrong color temperature can feel awkward with cool and warm temperatures mixing. If a set has a cool light setting and needs more, it should be met with more cool temperature lighting instead of warm temperature. This would match the room while also making the lighting appear more natural and balanced. This may not appear so different to our eyes, but is very different to a camera. With a temperature scale from 3000K also known as Kelvin to 6500k, the right type of lighting will always be able to match the scene while also being able to change the mood of a scene.

Intelligent cooling ensures safe and consistent use: 

 Both lights have an intelligent cooling system which ensures that the light remains cool and reinforces the longevity of the light. It uses a heatsink which is completely silent and casually cools down the system without using any extra power.

Includes 2.4G remote control, control up to 50M (150 ft) and LCD screen at the side: 

If the light needs to be adjusted from a distance it comes with a wireless remote control. While reaching up to 50M (150 ft) away, It changes the settings including the temperature and brightness of the light. Connecting both the controller and light is as easy as setting both to the same channel. The updated settings can be viewed on the screen on the controller or to the side of the lights.

The difference between the 80w and 120w light:

 So what is the difference between these two lights? Well, both of these fantastic lights can run on batteries which means they aren’t restricted to an outlet. However, the 80w light runs on Dual NP-F series batteries where as the 120w light runs on Sony V lock style batteries. 

The second difference is obviously the power. The 120w light will have approximately 25% more light output than its brother!

Special scenario lighting:

These lights also have the ability to produce flashes imitating specific lighting patterns and scenarios. The 6 custom light settings include: Paparazzi, firework, bad bulbs, thunder flash, television, and SOS. They are designed to enhance your work and save time creating complex lighting scenarios.

Includes standard reflector: 

 Both lights also come with a free reflector if a more narrow beam is needed. It slightly modifies the light to a more narrow beam, if you would like an even tighter beam, you can add a 10˚ 30˚ or 60˚ grid spot.

 In conclusion, these two lights are very simple and easy to operate. They are both portable, easy to use, have a bowens mount, and both come with a FREE 7 inch reflector and travel bag. Overall, these lights are a must have for your film and video production. They offer great versatility, high power, and flexibility at a reasonable price!

Here is a demonstration video of both lights!

 

You can buy these lights here:

 

80w LED COB:

80w LED Bi-Colour COB Light with Bowens Mount

 

120w LED COB:

120w LED Bi-Colour COB Light with Bowens Mount

Cinematography in Filmmaking

Posted on by Jane Good

There are many fields in the film industry. Director, producer, lighting and camera crew, script writers and much more. A important job that influences the production in film that also creates and develops the visual narrative is cinematography.

So, what is cinematography?

It is the art and technology of motion-picture photography. This involves the lighting and location of a scene, camera choice, lens choice, camera angles and movements, as well as the involvement of any special effects.

Cinematography is important in film by supporting the overall look and mood of a film’s storyline. A cinematographer manages the camera and the lighting crew. they are responsible for creating the look of the scene, colour, lighting, and the framing of every shot in a film.

Some examples of cinematic techniques in filmmaking are:

  • Long shot

  • Close-up shot

  • Point-of-view shot

  • Bird’s-eye shot and more

These are some camera angles that cinematographers use to capture the story being told through different perspective that also cast different moods.

The 5 C’s of Cinematography

  1. Camera Angles – Vital to the stories narrative and the camera positioning helps to drive the story forward
  2. Continuity – To avoid inconsistencies, continuity must be considered in production and media
  3. Cutting – The order and sequence of shots become key in evoking the desired effect upon the audience
  4. Close-ups – Used to allow the viewer access to the intimate details of a characters emotions
  5. Composition – Plays a role in creating a mood and telling a story. Lighting, colours and spacing, among other visual aspects which are crucial in the co position of an image

Cinematography is used in every film and there are a wide range of motion-pictures that have creative cinematic experience. Here are two examples of cinematography in film.

Blade Runner 2049 – Cinematographer Roger Deakins

The attention to detail in the set design allows for long shots for the viewer to take in the atmosphere of the science fiction world with geometric designs. This angle provides a harsher look to the architecture that seems more imposing and unnerving when the characters are dwarfed by it.

The lighting in the film is constantly in motion, there are hardly any stationary light sources. The shift in light creates dynamic and alluring footage without being too distracting. Since the viewer knows what the source of light is, it enhances the reality of the scene.

Moonlight – Cinematographer James Laxton

Laxton uses bold colours and stunning shots to create an emotional experience. The film is driven by the internal conflicts of the characters rater than the plot. To communicate this in a visual way, the camera frames the subject so that they fill the majority of the screen, thus drawing the viewer into the emotional landscape being created. This would be a close up camera shot, it is used for the audience to see the emotional reactions of the characters more intimately.

During the swimming scene when Juan teaches Little to swim, the frame is set up in such a way that the viewer is not only watching this scene but also experiencing the rush of waves and Juan holding Little about the water. As if we, the audience are right next to them.

This is a brief synopsis of cinematography in film, as well as some examples where cinematographers used their creative and innovative thinking to create beautiful and stunning visuals to capture the heart of the story being told.

time lapse video film Canada Photo Production

The Stunning Beauty of Timelapses

Posted on by Tristan

If you have ever seen a timelapse before, there’s a high chance that you were captivated by it or found it somewhat satisfying to look at. It lets us see the impossible or the very hard things to see in the real world. Timelapses are there to make us appreciate various aspects of movement from something as complicated and slow as construction of a building to the slow movements of a plant. 

Timelapse of 2 buildings being built!

How is a timelapse different from a regular video

A timelapse is very different from a video even though it’s just a very sped up video. It gives off a different mood and feeling when sped up. It can make the viewer feel a sense of dread if used in the right way, or perhaps it can be used to feel happy and excited. Timelapses should be used in specific scenarios, but when used correctly, can be an emotional rollercoaster. Timelapses let people see things they have never seen before. A still plant looks normal while a plant moving with purpose and a style can be interesting yet unfamiliar.

What is an appropriate timelapse

There are specific scenarios and times where a timelapse will really work. For a time lapse to be effective, something must be in constant motion. For example, a sunrise or sunset looks really good on a timelapse with the constant motion of the sun and the transition from day to night with natural and manmade lights. Another great example are plants growing. We never see how plants truly move since it’s so slow which is why it’s so fascinating to watch at high speed. 

Here is a good example of a timelapse about a plant growing over 1.5 years!

 

The amount of planning on one timelapse

To first film a timelapse, a lot of planning needs to be done such as the place and time of the shoot. Planning can be more difficult than you might think. First, you will need equipment. Batteries, a tripod, and a camera to get started. With the tripod, it has to be heavy and stabilized. Even a slight gust of wind and a slight shift in the angle would be enough to mess with the timelaps. At least one extra battery will be needed since there is a high chance that the current battery will die due to the amount of energy the camera will take up.

A timelapse also needs planning for the time it will take to film. Depending on the frames per second and how long you want your timelapse to be, it would take hours to film one. Some timelapses can even take a few days or months to get the footage. This is why it’s so important to bring extra batteries if the other battery dies.

 

What makes a timelapse so powerful

When watching a timelapse, you might think or feel something related to the subject of the timelapse. Specifically in story telling, the rapid visualization of things can give the feeling of dread or happiness. It feels familiar yet different. Take clouds for example, we see them in our everyday lives but only when they are moving slowly across the sky. In a timelapse, we get to see the transformation of the cloud and the direction of which it is headed. Another excellent example is construction. Even when our eyes can see a big building, we can only truly see the massive scale through the progress. It opens our eyes to see the big picture in anything and appreciating how beautiful something as simple as movement can be.


Watch as these clouds grow, shrink, and morph into different shapes!

 

 

Here is a great product for creating time lapse panorama videos:

 

360 Degree Panning Rotating Panorama Time Lapse Timer

Top 5 Lighting Techniques

Posted on by Jane Good

One of the most important tools in staging a scene is lighting. Lighting develops the mood and setting in any production. It captures the audience and draws them into the storyline just by looking at the scene and the lighting techniques that are used.

This post will highlight the top 5 lighting techniques used in film production and their purposes for a scene.

Number 1: Soft Lighting

Soft lighting is commonly used for its aesthetically pleasing effect. It eliminates shadows and recreates subtle shades of light that has no strict definition of a light source. The purpose is to make the subject or object look less harsh. An example of this technique would be in the movie Restless (2011) where you can notice the soft light with no clear distinction between light and shadows, and has a calming effect.

Number 2: Hard Lighting

Hard lighting uses a direct beam from a light source or from the sunlight. This lighting creates shadows and harsh lines. It can also create silhouettes and highlights. An example would be in the movie The Dark Knight (2008) with the harsh tones of the subjects faces and the overlapping shadows to add to the mood of the scene and the intensity of the character.

Number 3: Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting, also known as “practical” lighting, consists of the lights that are present and natural, so this could be sunlight, lamplight, or an overhead light. Ambient lighting can add depth and dimension to a scene if used cleverly. It can also add a sense of realism to the scene that draws the viewers attention. You need to account for ambient light, especially when shooting outside.

Number 4: Three Point Lighting

Three point lighting is a media standard form of lighting, as in it is highly used in all forms of media such as film, video, and photography. Three point lighting includes key light, fill light, and a back light.

The key light is the primary light source. It is the most intense and direct light in the scene. The key light will illuminate the form of the object or actor. Secondly, the fill light cancels out the shadows created by the ket light. It adds softness to the shadows. Lastly, the back light hits an actor or object from behind. This is used to separate the object or actor from the background.

3 point film lighting Toronto canada Scarborough tutorial

Number 5: Motivated Lighting

Motivated light seeks to imitate natural light sources, such as sunlight, moonlight, street lights, head lights and more. This technique is used to emphasize the natural lights effect to help set the story or scene. It allows the audience to believe the world that is being presented.

Lighting as a whole is complex and broad. There is so much terminology and techniques that even choosing the top most common techniques was difficult because everyone has their own interpretation. This post was a simple introductory article about the diverse world of lighting in media, specifically in film.

Finding the Perfect Light Stand for You

Posted on by George Mikhaiel

Here at Big City we have a lot of stands, all with different sizes and weights. From tall ones to short rolling ones. We have anything to fit you film or photo needs. Links to all the stands shown in this video are below.

All the stands we carry.

 

The BEST Folding Phone Available Now

Posted on by George Mikhaiel

We are living in a brand new era. Phones have been the same box like shape for the last 10 years. The idea of a phone being able to fold into a mini tablet has always been a fantasy. Well this year that fantasy is becoming a reality with the Huawei Mate X. The first foldable phone where the display bends too, revealing a nice looking mini tablet for your media consumption needs.

 

 

Picking up the phone you will find a bar along the side. That contains the cameras, finger print sensors and internal chips / hardware. The phone is running Huawei’s flagship mobile processor, the Kirin 980, as well as 8GB of RAM and a 512GB storage drive. Storage is also expandable with Huawei’s Nano Memory, up to 256GBs. This phone also has 5G cellular connection antenna in that side bar, giving it the title of “World’s Fastest 5G phone.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Huawei Mate X has two main screens (or two main halves) – a bezeless display on the front, and a smaller display that fits next to the sidebar on the back. The former measures 6.6-inches with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and 2,480 x 1148 pixel resolution, while the rear-facing screen is 6.38-inches with a 25:9 aspect ratio and 2,480 x 892 pixel resolution. When opened completely it has a 8:7.1 aspect ratio and 2,480 x 2,200 pixel resolution.

 

 

 

In terms of battery this phone packs a lot. It has a 4,500mAh unit, which is split between the two halves of the displays. It also has Huawei’s 55W SuperCharge tech which allows it to be recharged from zero per cent to 85 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes.

One thing to not look forward to about this phone is the price. The Huawei Mate X goes for $3425 CAD, which is almost three time the price of a very premium flagship smart phone.

 

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S10 | Everything you need?

Posted on by George Mikhaiel

The new Samsung Galaxy S10 was announced on February 20th, 2019. This phone comes packed with everything ‘new’ you could ask for here in 2019. Samsung hasn’t been a fan of the ‘notch’ design trend and can now say they never were part of it. The s10 comes with a 93:1 screen to body ratio, with a camera cut out on the top. Its finger print sensor, *cough cough Apple*, is indebted into the screen. Did I mention it has a total of 4 cameras?

Samsung’s camera game is through the roof, with 3 rear cameras and 1 for the selfie. Many people wonder why smartphones are getting more cameras side by side. The answer is that it allows for more depth when taking a photo. Having those cameras will not only give better perspective and picture quality, it will also give you that background blur that shows up like you’re shooting with a professional DSLR.

 

 

 

Smartphone manufactures have been pulling they’re hair trying to figure out where to put the fingerprint sensor. Some have removed it completely and opted for face unlocking techniques. Others have thrown it on the power button, making it more chunky, or even stuck it on the back making annoyingly hard to reach. Finally, we’ve found a solution. A display built in finger print reader, that takes up the whole display! Although other phones have similar tech, using light from the display to read the fingerprint. Samsung is the first company to use an ultrasonic sensor. This sensor uses small vibrations to determine the small groves on your fingers. Quite impressive right.  This also means the display doesn’t have to be on to unlock it and it could still read your finger if they’re wet.

Manufactures are clearly running out of ideas. Some are just releasing the same phone but with a newer name and a slightly faster processor. Everything is a boring slab of metal with nothing exciting. Samsung changed that and is definitely gonna be waking up to more profit.