Bogen Imaging has created the Lastolite HiLite Background-a foldable, illuminated background that can be used as that or an incredibly large softlight.
The HiLite is available in four sizes: 4.5-by-3.5 feet, 5-by-7, 6- by-7, and 7-by-8. Chromakey green and blue, black, and grey are available as extra solid color backgrounds that fit over the front panel.
I received the 5-by-7-foor HiLite Background stored in a large, heavy blue carrying case. Like a larger version of the Reflect-a-sol, a simple twist opens the HiLite. Because of its size, I recommend that either you have a large space in which to do this or have a helper near by—when it opens; you could become a human sail.
The set up instructions include this warning: “The HiLite is quite strong and can ‘pop’ out suddenly. Take care with people and furniture in close proximity.” Also stowed in the case are four plastic rods that allow the HiLite
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The HiLite lights a set.
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to stand up on its own.
The steel rims are quite strong around the perimeter and the rods do a good job of holding them in place. The rods may be pushed into place or secured by a cord. Once standing, the side can be unzipped and your light source (or flash unit) pointed inside.
The positioning of the light is crucial to have an even illumination. Do not put the entire unit inside the enclosure as this would generate too much heat and cause problems. Rather, just sticking the head inside it enough. For our purposes we used a Mole Richardson Tweeny (650 W Fresnel) on a C-Stand.
While setting up the HiLite, the blue dye from the carrying case stained the white surface. This could have been from shipment or its storage before I got it, but the blue was difficult to remove. Also because of static electricity, any dirt on the floor attaches itself to the HiLite’s white surface like metal to a magnet. Even the “breeze” caused by the erection of this unit may loosen toupees of those nearby.
Using it as an illuminated background with front lighting, if using chromakey, it helps you attain an evenly lit background, which is critical when keying. As a background light only, if you are looking for a silhouette of your subject, just utilize the HiLite without any front lighting.
Where I believe the unit excels is when using it as a large softlight. By using the HiLite as your soft key light and a reflector on the opposite side as your fill, you now have a soft, interview scenario.
As illustrated in the photo, the only illumination on the set is with the HiLite. Soft lighting is very much underrated and you have more control over the shadows and your talent does not complain of feeling as if they are in an Easy Bake oven.
Once our students became aware of this new addition to our lighting arsenal, the HiLite was in constant use. It is portable so it can be transported anywhere and once erected, is large enough to provide sufficient illumination over a very large area. If you just place a 600 W light on set, you can illuminate only a small area. Put that same unit in the HiLite and you now have a 35-square-foot light source. True, the light is very soft and does not have a long throw. But you can move the source within a foot of your subject without any objection.
Basically the HiLite can be used with any light to broadcast a much larger and wider light source-much like having a massive Chimera at your disposal.
Stowing the HiLite takes a little finesse and dexterity- something I have lacked for years. A much smaller Reflect-a-sol takes me months to fold correctly, and something as humungous as this calls for the help of the National Guard.
The instructions clearly state that there are three “hoops” when storing the unit, but getting those three hopes in the same place at the same time takes some doing. Some younger souls can close it by themselves in seconds; myself and a veteran cinematographer were much slower. Once you are close to collapsing the HiLite, put it in the case quickly before anything happens.
Available in the 5-by-7 size for around $500, the HiLite can convert any of your light sources to a much larger, more practical softlight.
We checked this with a light meter and discovered the output is even around the entire HiLitefrom the edges to the center, you are getting the same output.
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