Tag: photography

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!

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

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

Unleash Creativity with the Big City Magic 40w RGBWA Lighting Tube!

Posted on by Presil Roshan

The Big City Magic 40w RGBWA Lighting Tube is a must-have tool for any filmmaker, photographer, or event planner looking to create captivating lighting effects. With its versatility and remote control capabilities, you have the power to transform any scene into a work of art. Elevate your creativity and illuminate your world with the Big City Magic 40w RGBWA Lighting Tube!

Here is the comprehensive tutorial we’ve crafted to help you master the Big City Magic 40w RGBWA Lighting Tube, unlocking its full potential to create mesmerizing lighting effects for your films, events, and creative projects.

top 6 gadgets Big City Canada

Top 6 Big City Gadgets and Devices 2023

Posted on by Jane Good

What are the top 6 gadgets and devices at Big City Lights you might be asking yourself? The video below mentions all these fascinating products:

 

Number one: Multi-Colour LED Flame Bulb with App Control

  • With the wide variety of colours that is sound activated, this flame bulb could be used for any purpose.

LED Flame Bulb

Number two: 90 Second Smoke Grenade

  • Comes in many colours that could be used for film, photography, weddings, concerts and more.

 

scary smoke grenade bomb horror photo video Toronto

Number three: Electric Motorized Photography Slider/Dolly Car with Smart Phone Control

  • Great for panning and time lapse photography or video, all controlled through your smart phone.

 

Dolly Car

Number four: The Big City Magic RGBWA Film Lighting Tube

  • A powerful LED light that includes 9 special effects from police lights to candlelight. Perfect for photography or film with the added mood lighting.

 

Magic RGBWA Lighting Tube

Number five: Movie Directors Clapper Board with Dry Erase Surface

  • Used in filmmaking and video production for the director and editors.

 

Clapper Board

And lastly, number six: Dual Arm Pro LED Light with Cell Phone Holder and Remote

  • This light is could be used for cosmetics photography, social media influencer, and tattoo artists. Is adjustable and includes a cell phone holder.

 

Dual Arm Pro

Want to learn more about these interesting products? Take a look at the video for more information.

 

 

starburst LED beauty light star eyes Canada makeup lighting

LED Starburst Light

Posted on by Jane Good

Presenting the new LED Starburst Light! A new product that provides the best light quality for any shoot. Whether you are a make up artist, influencer, music video director, or photographer the LED Starburst light will make your content look fabulous.

The video below highlights the benefits of the LED Starburst Light, what’s in the box, and the different features that can be used.

The benefits include:

  • A high colour rendering index (CRI) of 97
  • Built in temperature protection circuit
  • And a cell phone holder that attaches to the light

Some handy features this light has are:

  • 6 angle adjustable light tubes
  • Adjustable colour temperature
  • And the light creates a star effect in the subjects eyes

Watch the video for a closer look on the LED Starburst Light.

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.

 

A Better & Thinner Soft-box Light

Posted on by George Mikhaiel

Calling all you photographers and filmmakers! Are you tried of constantly having to setup your big, thick and bulky soft-box lights? Do you want dimming and colour temperature controls too? We here at Big City we have the lights for you! These soft-box lights are 3 inches thick (at the knob, 2 inches rest of fixture) and completely LED, hows that for convenience?  All the pricing and availability is linked below.

Links:

Continue reading “A Better & Thinner Soft-box Light” →