At GVM, we believe that exceptional tools empower limitless creativity, transforming visions into vivid realities. Today, we are proud to feature the story of Liam Chen, a renowned Los Angeles photographer and a dedicated GVM Z100B user. Liam’s journey is a perfect testament to how the GVM Z100B became instrumental in his expansion into professional video production, all while maintaining his signature high standards.
Meet Liam Chen: A Visual Artist Obsessed with Precision
Liam Chen is a highly respected name in the Los Angeles photography scene, celebrated for his uniquely stylized photography, commercial projects, and fine art. With nearly two decades of experience, bolstered by a degree in Photography and stints at Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Photo Department and managing an Arts College’s photo department in Hollywood, Liam possesses a profound understanding of light and shadow. From corporate headshots and band promos to family portraits, he consistently delivers visually compelling, highly professional, and distinctly stylized work. Most of his portrait sessions are conducted in his professional studio in Los Angeles.
However, as the landscape of digital content evolved, Liam acutely observed a surging client demand for high-quality video. As a visual artist constantly pushing creative boundaries, Liam knew it was time to extend his mastery of light and composition into the realm of dynamic imagery.
The Transition Dilemma: Traditional Photo Lights vs. Video Realities
Liam’s photo studio was equipped with powerful strobe lights and an array of large light modifiers – tools that were perfect for crafting his signature stylized still images. Yet, as he ventured into video production, these familiar companions quickly proved to be a bottleneck.
“My expensive studio strobes simply couldn’t provide the continuous light source that video demands,” Liam admitted. “And the dedicated video shooting lights on the market were often either too bulky for on-location shoots and quick scene changes, or not portable enough for my need for an efficient, flexible workflow. Others, while compact, just didn’t deliver the professional light quality or brightness I required.”
Maintaining the “unique stylized look” of his work in video was an even greater challenge. He needed soft, even, and color-accurate continuous light, without sacrificing portability or power. How could he achieve studio-grade video lighting outside his controlled environment, or even during a spontaneous outdoor shoot?
The Paralysis of Choice: Navigating a Sea of Lighting Options
In his quest for the perfect video shooting light, Liam dedicated significant time to researching the market. He faced a dizzying array of options: numerous brands (Aputure, Nanlite, Godox, etc.), varying wattages (60W, 100W, or even higher), diverse form factors (COB lights, panel lights, tube lights), and a confusing jungle of specifications (CRI, TLCI, color temperature range, dimming curves).
“The sheer variety of LED lights out there was overwhelming; just the technical specs alone were enough to make your head spin,” Liam recalled. “I needed a light that could deliver professional-grade quality and brightness, yet be portable enough for flexible outdoor use. Many high-power lights were simply too heavy, while truly lightweight ones often lacked power or produced harsh light. I even considered some modular, linkable lights, but most were rigid panels that remained bulky even when connected, or lacked convenient interfaces. It was frustrating; no single product seemed to perfectly match all my requirements.” He yearned for a tool that combined high quality, portability, and unparalleled flexibility.
The Turning Point: GVM Z100B’s Game-Changing Solution
After extensive research into new lighting solutions, Liam fortuitously stumbled upon the GVM Z100B – a modular 100W bi-color portable LED light. The Z100B’s advertised linkable design, featherlight flexible structure, and powerful light output immediately captured Liam’s attention.
“When I first unboxed the Z100B, I could hardly believe it. Its extreme thinness and flexibility meant I could easily fold it up and slip it into my camera bag, barely taking up any space,” Liam remembered. “But what excited me most was its zippered tiling system. This meant I no longer needed to carry bulky light stands or massive softboxes to create the large, soft light sources I desired, anywhere I went.”
VM Z100B 100W Bi-Color LED Soft Light: At a Glance
| Feature | Highlight |
| Power & Light | 100W Bi-Color LED (2700-6800K), CRI/TLCI 97+ for superb color accuracy. |
| Modular Design | Quick-Zip System for seamless splicing of multiple units, no tools needed. |
| Ultra-Portable | Featherlight (0.8kg / 1.76 lbs) & ultra-slim (24mm) for effortless transport. |
| Smart Control | Bluetooth App & RF wireless remote control for flexible adjustments. |
| Versatile Power | DC power & V-mount battery support for studio and on-location shoots. |
| Future-Proof | USB-C port for convenient firmware upgrades. |
| Effortless Setup | Self-supporting design mounts directly to stands, no extra rigging required. |
The Seamless Transition: How the Z100B Empowered Liam’s Video Endeavors
The GVM Z100B utterly transformed Liam’s video workflow, allowing him to seamlessly translate his unique photographic aesthetic into dynamic visuals:
- Elevated Efficiency and Uncompromised Quality: “Beyond its physical advantages, the Z100B dramatically boosted my work efficiency and the overall quality of my video output,” Liam explained. “The quick and easy setup – under 60 seconds – means I spend less time fumbling with gear and more time actually shooting. Whether it’s a tight interview setup or a dynamic product shoot, the ability to rapidly deploy and adjust a professional video shooting light is invaluable. Its precise dimming and accurate bi-color capabilities allow me to fine-tune the light on the fly, ensuring every frame is perfectly exposed and color-balanced, minimizing tedious post-production corrections. This not only saves me hours but also consistently delivers the high-caliber results my clients expect, solidifying my reputation as a versatile visual creator.”
- Modular Transformation, Light at Will: “The Z100B’s modular, linkable design is a true game-changer!” Liam enthused. “A single 100W unit is perfect for a close-up portrait or product detail. But when I’m shooting a corporate video and need to provide broad, even soft light for an entire scene, I just zip two or three Z100Bs together. Instantly, I have a powerful, large flexible LED panel. It can mimic natural window light or serve as a wide background fill, and the light remains incredibly soft and smooth.” This seamless scalability allows Liam to achieve studio-grade continuous lighting effects even with limited resources, bringing unprecedented depth and quality to his video work.
- Ultimate Portability, Studio Anywhere: “Its featherlight design is unbelievable; I can literally fold it into my camera bag with ease.” Liam can now effortlessly carry multiple Z100Bs, setting up professional video shooting light anywhere in Los Angeles – be it a client’s office, a band’s rehearsal space, or a unique outdoor location – without needing a large lighting crew. This perfectly solved his need for an efficient, flexible on-location video light.
- Exceptional Light Quality, Consistent Style: The GVM Z100B’s high CRI (≥97) and TLCI (96), along with its 2700K-6800K bi-color temperature range, ensure extreme color accuracy and beautiful skin tone rendition. Liam can precisely match ambient light or create his signature atmospheric moods. “Video often demands even more precise color and light quality than stills. The Z100B’s light is incredibly clean and soft, allowing my video work to maintain my artistic standards without extensive post-production color grading.”
- V-Mount Power, Uninterrupted Workflow: “The V-mount battery support has been a lifesaver,” Liam noted. “Especially on outdoor or large venue shoots, power outlets are rare. With a V-mount battery, the Z100B can run for hours, eliminating any power anxiety and letting me focus purely on shooting.”
- Smart Control, Boosting Efficiency: Controlling the Z100B via the smartphone APP or wireless remote allows Liam to quickly and precisely adjust brightness or color temperature, even when working solo or with multiple cameras. Furthermore, the USB-C firmware upgrade feature gives him confidence in the light’s future potential.
GVM Z100B: Liam Chen’s Declaration of Creative Freedom
“The GVM Z100B hasn’t just helped me transition smoothly from professional photography to video shooting; it’s become my declaration of creative freedom,” Liam Chen concluded. “It empowers me to translate my visual concepts, whether it’s a stylized still portrait or a dynamic corporate video, with the highest quality and most convenient means possible. This small portable LED light has truly liberated my hands and expanded my creative boundaries, allowing me to bring my mastery of light and shadow to life anytime, anywhere.”
At GVM, we are incredibly proud of creators like Liam Chen. His story perfectly embodies the innovative spirit of the GVM Z100B – providing powerful, flexible, and reliable tools to help users break boundaries and achieve the extraordinary.
Like Liam, unlock your unlimited creative potential for shooting video with the GVM Zip Tile Series!
