Photographer Łukasz Skwiot embarks on a new journey with the Godox TL120 RGB LED tube lights, exploring their impact on sports photography. With a blend of skepticism and curiosity, he tests the lights during a high-energy shoot for the Panthers Wrocław team. Dive into his experience to see how the TL120 tubes not only met but exceeded expectations, becoming an essential part of his lighting arsenal.
Strong contour backlighting, smooth and fast color changes, a bit of smoke, and American football players – this is the recipe I used for the latest campaign of the main sponsor of the Panthers Wrocław team.
I must admit, when I first discussed the concept for this shoot with my client, I was quite skeptical. In my previous work, I’ve predominantly used strong flash lighting. My signature style features harsh backlighting placed directly in the frame. I love sharp, contrasting scenes, so I was unsure how continuous lighting would fit in, especially since we needed it for the video footage we were shooting simultaneously that day.
After finalizing the shoot’s plan, it was time to select the lights. A set of four Godox TL120 lights proved to be perfect for this purpose. These are powerful 120 cm long RGB LED tube lights with a built-in battery, wireless control, and excellent light quality. Why was this kit ideal? Mainly because I wanted four lines of light in the frame, symmetrically positioned two on each side of the athlete. The 120 cm length is perfect for tall athletes; the smaller 60 cm versions could disappear behind a 2-meter-tall player.
The full RGB range allowed me to create a backlight in a shade of orange, a color recognizable and associated with the sponsor’s products and branding. Thanks to the wireless connectivity, I was able to instantly set all the lights directly from the app and achieve the desired effect with just a few clicks.
I have to mention the power supply – the lights have a built-in rechargeable battery, and each light comes with its own power adapter. The session lasted a little over 2 hours, the lights were running at 100% power, and I didn’t need to use a wall outlet once. This is a big perk, as I often work on location in sports halls or gyms where access to electricity can be challenging. More than 2 hours of continuous operation is more than sufficient for my needs.
The final result? See for yourself. But I know that, thanks to the quality of the light, its versatility, mobility, and ease of assembly, the Godox TL120 tube set will definitely remain a staple in my equipment and will be used for many more projects to come.
Check out the final outcome of the photoshoot below:
Łukasz Skwiot
A sports photographer specializing in football, American football, and dynamic sports sessions. Known for capturing intense action in tight frames, he has covered major events like the World Cup and Champions League and was named a Canon European Brand Ambassador in 2020.
