The Brokeh Lighting System was invented by Director John Tindall. It is claimed to quantify the relationship between the color and shape of illuminators and how those variables can change the contrast and apparent shape of faces.
Essentially, it is a way of combining colors on material instead of just utilizing a white source. At first, this is a strange concept to get your head around; however, we have seen companies like Bluff Bounce do a similar thing, but in a different way.
Tindall researched a way to light actors in a more authentic way than using flat white light sources. His answer was to break the visible spectrum into parts and let them mix on the face (like real life). Working with industry DPs, John set about to create a controlled system, and after 5 years of research, Brokeh was born. The product has actually been around since 2019, but not a lot of people are aware of it.
Brokeh splits the spectrum into color patterns that fit over your existing lights. The colors in the pattern combine to make white light again, but the individual colors arrive on faces from different angles, just like the real world. According to the company, this makes a huge difference, and the lighting goes from looking phony to looking real.
It is also claimed to create deeper facial modeling while softening imperfections and blending spectral highlights. Some Brokeh patterns, like the Facial Anamorphic Keylight (FAK), are said to make faces appear thinner.
The Brokeh System is divided into two groups:
- F (Facial) Series – Geometric Patterns
- N (Nature) Series – Soft Focus Patterns
F- Series (Facial)
The Brokeh F (Facial) series of patterns offers the strongest effect on the subject.
By using dominant and complementary skin tones in geometric patterns on soft light sources, the Facial patterns enhance the curves on human faces. (e.g., The FAK “Facial Anamorphic Key” will render faces thinner than using white with the same softlight.)
N- Series (Nature)
Brokeh Nature Series surrounds your photographic subject with areas of different colors. The colors land at different angles on your subject. According to the company, this results in no more bleached-out faces falling victim to an army of flat white lights.
Within the F- Series (Facial) and N- Series (Nature), there are different versions available.
Price & Availability
The F-Series Filter 3 Pack – FAK, FEK, FEF – Mix & Match in 4′ x 4′ size is $604 USD.
The FEK – Facial Enhancement Keylight in 4′ x 4′ size is $336 USD.
The FAK – Facial Anamorphic Keylight in 4′ x 4′ size is $336 USD.
The FEF – Facial Enhancement Fill Light in 4′ x 4′ size is $336 USD.
The NEF “Rose Garden” – On Magic Cloth with Grommets in 6′ x 6′ size is $605 USD.
The NEF “Santa Fe” – On Magic Cloth with Grommets in 6′ x 6′ size is $605 USD.
The NEF “New York Flat” On Magic Cloth with Grommets in 6′ x 6′ size is $605 USD.
The Brokeh products are made in California. All F-Series Transparency patterns are created to order to match your diffusor size. Lead time is usually one week.
Nature Series Butterfly rags are made to order. Lead time is usually 2 weeks. Extra stock available for day of shipping will be announced as supplies are available.
Currently, 6′ x 6′ nature series is available for same-day shipping.
