Bosch’s AEGIS UFLED infrared illuminators are the preferred lighting choice for night-time broadcasting for one BBC camera specialist, following use on a number of BBC natural history programmes.
As a Remote Camera Specialist for the BBC, Jo Charlesworth has built the lighting rigs for a number of BBC nature documentaries including The Big Cat Diaries and Great Rift. Most recently he used AEGIS UFLED infrared for night-time filming on the Springwatch series, an annual BBC TV event, which follows the fortunes of a selection of UK wildlife during the spring months.
Each episode is broadcast live from around the UK. A crew of 100 people and over 50 cameras are needed for the programme, making it the BBC’s largest British outside broadcasting event. In a programme where the animals are the real stars of the show, viewers are given unprecedented access to the lives of their favourite animals via web feeds 20 hours of the day and night, and a weekly TV programme broadcast on BBC 2. Many of the cameras used are hidden and operated remotely to record natural behaviour, for example, of birds in their nests and badgers in their sett.
Springwatch began in 2005 and is broadcast every year, during the months of May and June. After the success of the first Springwatch series, the BBC commissioned a spin off – Autumnwatch – where AEGIS UFLEDs were also used.
Bosch’s AEGIS UFLED illuminators were selected because they are small and discreet, but flexible and powerful enough to enable broadcast quality night-time filming, as Jo says: “While filming otters for Springwatch we mounted the lights on top of the camera as we needed to be as mobile as possible. For some of the other shots of the otters on the island and the riverbank, we used a rig that held up to 10 AEGIS UFLEDs, and provided just the right amount of light without bleaching.
“Compared to the alternatives available, we found the AEGIS UFLED 10 degree and 30 degree lights to be more versatile,” he continues, “not only is there a low power consumption meaning not as many batteries are needed – essential when on an outdoor shoot where supplies and power are limited – but they weighed considerably less, and were robust and weatherproof.”
