How a Pro Lighting Team Can Make a Difference in Your Photography

A lighting team should listen to your needs, fulfill unique requirements and provide you with a turnkey solution. They’re there to be a knowledgeable resource long after the installation is complete, too.

Professionally designed outdoor lighting can discourage unwelcome intruders, while increasing safety and security. It can also help to increase your home’s value.

Fluorescent

Fluorescent lights get a bad rap in the media, but they can be used to achieve many lighting effects. These long, low-luminance sources emit warm or cool light and work well in studios to soften shadows. They can also be rigged to create different colors of light. For example, a single fluorescent lamp can produce anything from 3200k to 5600k, allowing you to mimic daylight.

Inside all fluorescent lamps is a low-pressure mercury vapor that reacts to an electrical charge and produces ultraviolet radiation. The metal salts inside the glass tube are coated with a phosphor that converts this radiation to visible light. Some of this light is emitted outside the tube as heat, and some escapes into the environment which can be a hazard to sensitive materials like dyes and paintings.

In addition to UV emissions, fluorescents can also produce a small amount of infrared radiation. This type of light can be used to heat objects that are cold, and it is sometimes used in photolithography to illuminate wafers during manufacturing.

In the 1970s, a new version of the fluorescent lamp was developed that is smaller and more efficient. This is called a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). CFLs are used to replace regular incandescent bulbs and screw into a standard light fixture. pro lighting They use a ballast to start the arc and regulate the current, and they last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

LED

LEDs use 1/10th the electricity as their filament counterparts, meaning your electrical system will be taxed less. They also don’t require any filament, which means that maintenance costs are lower.

Basically, an electrical current applied to the LED pushes atoms from the n-type and p-type semiconductor materials towards each other, where they then release electrons that create photons, which are electromagnetic radiation. Because the photons are electromagnetic, they can be detected by our eyes and brains as light. Different materials produce photons at different wavelengths, giving the LED light its color.

When selecting an LED, it’s best to check the Luminous Intensity rating, also known as mcd. This tells you how bright the LED is. A high value indicates that the LED is super bright, while a low number means it’s more in the indicator category.

LED lights are often rated in lumens (lm). Watts usually correspond to power output, but lumens are more accurate as they’re a measure of total brightness.

Next, look at the graph labelled “Viewing Angle”. This will give you an idea of how wide of a beam the LED emits. Some LEDs are floodlights, pumping out photons in all directions; others are more directional. If you’re going for a directional LED, make sure the blue lines on the graph intersect with the outer circle; that represents the viewing angle at which the light is at its brightest.

Natural Light

Natural light is the most basic source of light for photographers, from those who are just starting out to seasoned professionals. It can be hard to work with, but mastering natural lighting techniques will make you a better photographer even when you eventually upgrade to professional equipment.

When product photos are shot with natural light, they convey a more authentic, organic look that’s closer to how products are perceived by the human eye. It’s also the preferred type of light for most photography because it produces a soft glow that highlights the details and textures of a subject.

The benefits of using natural lighting in your business include:

Increased Productivity: Studies have shown that workplaces with plenty of natural light have higher employee productivity levels. Enhanced Aesthetics: Natural lighting can transform spaces, highlighting textures and colors while creating an inviting, cozy atmosphere. Reduced Eye Strain: Natural light is easier on the eyes than artificial light, reducing eye strain and headaches.

Natural light is essential for ecological balance and sustainable living, so incorporating it into architectural designs can contribute to LEED certifications and enhance your business’ environmental credentials. Natural lighting can also help you save money on electricity costs and improve your building’s energy efficiency.

Energy Efficiency

Often, businesses don’t think about how much energy their lighting use is costing them. zoom moving head But it’s a big deal. It’s expensive and it could be dangerous too. A worker may burn their fingertips on a hot light bulb, which isn’t good in factories, processing plants or warehouses. Plus, the more a commercial property’s bulbs are running, the more they require cooling to keep the temperature ambient.

To cut your business’ energy costs, upgrade to LED lighting with an efficient high-CRI that’s perfect for hospitals, doctor offices and elder care facilities. Many utilities offer rebates for lighting upgrades in these types of buildings, too. Check out your utility’s website to learn more about their programs. Also, use our Luminaires e-Catalog search option to filter by DLC and Energy Star qualification to find TLED or HID replacement lamps and luminaires that qualify for rebates in your area. You can even calculate ROI using our online calculators.